Village of Scoundrels

Village of Scoundrels takes place in Nazi-occupied France during World War II, centered on the mountain village of Les Lauzes. The story follows a group of teenagers who become involved in resistance efforts to protect Jewish refugees and help them escape to Switzerland. Multiple young characters, including Philippe, Celeste, and Jean Paul, must make choices about how to respond when their village becomes a haven for those fleeing persecution. Their actions range from creating false documents to guiding groups through treacherous mountain passes, all while maintaining secrecy and avoiding detection by German forces and French collaborators. The narrative incorporates real historical events and people, as the village of Les Lauzes is based on Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, whose residents helped save thousands of Jewish refugees during the war. The book includes historical photographs and documents that provide context for the fictional story. Through its focus on young resistance fighters, the novel explores themes of moral courage and the power of individual choices in the face of systemic injustice. The story raises questions about what constitutes heroism and how ordinary people can respond to extraordinary circumstances.

Readers appreciate the book's focus on the real-life rescue efforts in Le Chambon-sur-Lignon during WWII. Many note it serves as an age-appropriate introduction to Holocaust resistance for middle-grade students, with one teacher commenting it "sparked meaningful discussions about moral courage." Readers highlight the author's detailed historical research and inclusion of actual photographs, maps, and documents. Parents note the book balances serious subject matter with moments of hope. Common criticisms include the large number of characters making it difficult to connect emotionally, and some readers found the pacing slow in the middle sections. A few reviewers mentioned wanting more character development. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (89 ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 The book won several awards including the 2021 Jane Addams Children's Book Award and was a Junior Library Guild selection.

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🏔️ The book is based on the true story of the French village Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, which sheltered thousands of Jewish children during WWII and helped them escape to Switzerland. 📚 Author Margi Preus conducted extensive research, including interviewing survivors and visiting Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, to accurately portray the events and atmosphere of the time. 🏆 The real village of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon was honored as "Righteous Among the Nations" by Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust memorial, for their collective resistance efforts. 🌲 The remote location of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon in the mountains of south-central France made it an ideal hiding place, as the difficult terrain discouraged frequent Nazi patrols. ✍️ Margi Preus is a Newbery Honor-winning author who frequently writes historical fiction that explores themes of courage, resistance, and moral choices during challenging times.