By: Ellie Zhang 1

Bestselling author of Iceberg, Jennifer A. Nielsen presents a dramatic and inspiring story of the Polish Resistance who struggled but managed to defeat the Nazi occupiers out of their land and reclaim their nation’s freedom.

In Uprising, Poland has fallen under Nazi occupation; 12-year-old Lidia is foolishly brave. She does things without caution, playing her favorite pieces on her piano, unaware of the German soldiers nearby and the Holocaust that is yet to come. But when she hears about it, Lidia is willing to fight at whatever cost to defend her homeland, not realizing she is far too young and ignorant. With her bravery and actions developing suspense and tension, the setting and plot make the story more hooking.

On the first of September, 1939, the war had began. German bomber planes and tanks invaded areas of Poland, including where Lidia and her family lived. Soon, the invasion would reach the center of the country.
Living at her Grandpa’s house, Lidia, her brother, Ryzsard and her mother would have to leave and move to Warsaw, the capital. Everything went smoothly until her father enlisted in the war to defend his country, that he considered his family.

Lidia’s mother became very careful and strict after he left. Living in a cellar connected to their house, Ryzsard fetched food everyday for the family, returning with little to nothing. Lidia was always determined to fight no matter what, but her mother would never let her. Some readers may get emotional as Poland falls and people die. Now that her father is gone, it is hard to tell if he is still alive or not after he sends a few letters which are hints. That also gets readers to continue to read.

Germans soon found the family’s house and warned them to leave or they would be killed. The family had hid a Jewish maid: Doda, and her mother, Bubbe, who worked for them. The daughter and mother provided their small apartment in Old Town for Lidia’s family to live in. The setting changes to a place with more happening which would hook readers even more. The apartment is right next to a resistance camp, where Jewish are forced to work for Germans. That also means there are a lot more Germans around the area. Seeing this, it would also engage Lidia more to help and fight.

Nobody knew that Ryzsard had joined a secret underground resistance group that fought for Poland and saved people. Of course, Lidia wanted to join too, without letting anyone other than Ryszard know. Throughout the story, she took many risks but also made new friends; even a secret admirer. The group slowly fell apart as they defeated more and more Germans, and soon it was only Lidia and her friends, Weasel and Maryna, who made it out alive. The ending may provoke sadness to readers as many characters were left behind in the story, but also happiness because the war is over.

The historical-fiction story is very powerful and absorbing, with many emotional parts throughout, especially since it’s based on a Holocaust survival story. The author, Jennifer A. Nielsen, wrote on the dedication, “You always wanted your story told. I hope that I have given it even a fraction of what you deserve.” Referring to Lidia Janina Durr Zakrewski. Lidia’s life and her actions are a great example of bravery and her story deserves to be known by all.

Nielsen, A. Jennifer. “Uprising.”

Image Credit by Koshevaya_k