Reviews

I listened to this audiobook via @Libro.fm's ALC program for Educators. I had a lot of issues with this historical fiction novel in verse. I had some issues with how it implied most Germans during WWII whose names weren't Hitler and his cabinet were just caught up without any way to escape the horrors they caused. It somewhat felt like excusing the German soldier for what he had done in the war because he didn't want to be a soldier. I also found the relationship between the two main characters to be weird in an weird age power dynamic way, and the author was leading to a more problematic conclusion if the ending didn't happen the way it did (which felt a little like a cop out from dealing with the issues written into the story earlier). With so many other great WWII stories out there, I would skip this one.

gallagirlreads's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.5

oldandnewbooksmell's review against another edition

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hopeful informative fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

It’s October 1944 and Claire’s dad needs help with the orchard - especially since Danny’s off to fight in World War II. With no one responding to the help wanted ad in the paper, he hires a group of German POWs to help with the apple harvest. Claire wants absolutely nothing to do with the enemies, afterall, it’s men like them that are currently shooting at Danny’s overseas. But then she meets Karl, a soft-spoken, hardworking POW and her mind begins to change.

Meanwhile, Karl battles with the role he ended up playing within the lies of Hitler’s regime. After he begins working with Claire, it gives him hope that he can change and become a person he wants to be - not the one that’s been forced on him.

It still surprises me a bit when I read another novel set during WWII that showcases something I wasn’t aware had happened during that time. This one being that the United States had POW work camps on their own soil, and that the POWs would be “lent out” to local farmers.

Besides having a focus on WWII and the POWs in the United States, this also focuses a lot on Claire and her journey and fight for going against the norms for females during that time. Claire wants to continue school past an eighth grade education and her single room schoolhouse that she goes to and go on to become a nurse. Her father is very supportive of this plan, but not everyone else.

Though this book is aimed at Middle Grade readers, I can see everyone enjoying it. The writing provides readers with a compelling and easy to follow format that, even with the word count being low from it being a novel in verse, it still provides beautiful descriptions. I, myself, am going to be keeping an eye out for my own physical copy to purchase.

*Thank you Zonderkidz and NetGalley for a digital advance copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review

saraelm's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This carefully crafted and thoughtful Middle Grade novel-in-verse will prompt readers of all ages to consider how we approach otherness, familial roles and expectations, grief and trauma, and our own personal connections to the cultural and societal forces that shape us.

Clare’s story, though set amid the uncertainty of the Second World War, will resonate with any girl or woman who has wrestled with her place in life. Clare must not only choose whether to be guided by the stereotypes into which she has immersed or allow her experience to reveal to her the common threads that unite all human spirits.

katpeterson06's review against another edition

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4.0

Enemies in the Orchard felt like a refreshing take on the World War 2 story. Written in verse with perspectives from both sides of the war it shows the personal impact on the individual during a war torn time. As soon as I picked this one up, I couldn't stop reading it until I finished. The writing style as well as the characters themselves just kept me hooked and I had to finish the book in one sitting. In some ways it reminded me of Magic of the Ordinary Days by Ann Howard Creel but for a younger reader. Both novels showcased the lesser known parts of World War 2 and shared similar themes/setting. I can see this becoming really popular for middle graders. Since it still shows the impact of the war, but isn't as gruesome of an introduction for younger kids. I will say that the ending felt very abrupt and in some ways felt like it lacked closure. But overall, I found myself really enjoying the story and the friendship that was built.

*Received though Netgalley for my honest opinion*

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