Against the blue-black mountains, Espen's bicycle was just a tiny moving speck.
Norway, 1940
Nazi Germany invaded the neutral country, Norway. The Norwegians were not prepared for the German attack. Fourteen-year old Espen and his friends try to make sense of Nazi-occupied Norway. Most of his friends want to get rid of the Nazis, but not everyone.
"Hitler envisions a 'new Europe,' a Europe of Aryan people only. Blond, fair-skinned people - like us. He wants to hold up Norway as a model."
Espen and Kjell used to be best friends. They used to spend every waking moment together. But that was before Germany invaded their homeland.
Espen's teacher asked him to do an errand.
"Don't tell anyone what you're doing," Mr. Henriksen had said. "Not your sister, not your classmates - not even Kjell."
Espen meets Tante Marie on Fox Farm. She gives him his code name, Odin, and he's now a part of the Resistance, delivering illegal newspapers.
"You know that every part we play in the underground, no matter how small it seems, is significant," Tante Marie said.
The resistance includes the military, civilian, and intelligence branches; each branch depends on the others.
Nazi-controlled Norway is a dangerous place. Strictly-controlled laws are in effect, but despite the risks and dangers, Espen and his friends continue their work. Eventually Espen becomes a spy.
Shadow on the Mountain is a good read for younger teens who are interested in this time period, or teens who haven't read about other countries Germany invaded. Based on a the real adventures of a Norwegian spy during this time period, it's an interesting read to learn how the Nazis were able to invade and control other countries, and how dedicated the majority of Norwegians were to finding their independence.
Rating: 8 out of 10 stars
Not available at NOLS...yet!
