The Spy with the Red Balloon

August 1, 2018
Sixteen-year-old Ilse Klein and her older brother, Wolf, have a secret: They can do magic by writing scientific equations with their blood.When Ilse accidentally sets fire to a kite using her magic and it is witnessed by a government agent, the siblings are blackmailed into helping America win the Second World War. Wolf is recruited as a spy and is sent to Germany, while Ilse is sent to a top-secret engineering facility in Tennessee to help develop magic to transport an atomic bomb that will end Hitler's reign. Complexities arise when some important documents go missing and Ilse is blamed for treason. The accusations against Ilse affect Wolf, whose Jewish identity makes him even more vulnerable in the face of the enemy. Despite the diversity present in the book--both Wolf and Ilse are Jewish and gay, and Ilse's friend Stella, a chemistry major also working on the bomb, is African-American--many of the characters feel underdeveloped. The implausibility of a group of teenagers being chosen to lead a nation's war effort, with particular regard to the development of science and technology, unfortunately is not portrayed convincingly enough to allow readers to suspend disbelief. Although Locke's (The Girl with the Red Balloon, 2017, etc.) novel has potential, it does not do justice to the complexities of war, the Holocaust, and racial segregation. (Magic realism. 14-18)

COPYRIGHT(2018) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 1, 2018

Gr 7 Up-This follow-up to The Girl with the Red Balloon again combines historical fiction with magic, sweet romance, and action-packed espionage set during the second World War. Queer siblings Ilse and Wolf are forced to use their blood-based magic to help develop an atom bomb for the Allies, while preventing Hitler from creating one of his own. Physics prodigy Ilse is sent to work alongside an all-female team of scientists in Tennessee, while the more cautious Wolf is put behind enemy lines in Germany. The close-knit duo find a way to secretly communicate using their magic blood to convey letters with balloons. Ilse's new roommates, including the lovely Polly, help her to expand her worldview while Wolf is stunned to find himself working alongside his estranged friend Max. The combination of personal stakes alongside the looming threat of Nazism and nuclear devastation keeps the plot moving while never losing sight of the character arcs and allowing room for discussion of the morality of war and how LGBTQIA+ people and other marginalized groups were treated during this time. This novel stands on its own, though fans of Locke's debut are sure to appreciate the appearance of a crossover character and other subtle Easter eggs. The writing and storytelling has a more focused plotline than the previous book, allowing time for stronger character development. VERDICT A fast-moving read sure to delight those who enjoy historical fiction. Purchase where the first entry is popular, as well as where there are fans of books set during this period by Markus Zusak and Elizabeth Wein.-Ann Foster, Saskatoon Public Library, Sask.

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2018
Grades 9-12 Decades before modern girl Ellie discovers the Balloonmakers' magic in The Girl with the Red Balloon? (2017), siblings Wolf and Ilse were figuring out the limitations of their powers. Drafted into WWII by the Office of Strategic Services, Ilse is being used for her analytical mind and equation magic, while her brother will be sent off on a dangerous spy mission in Germany. Ilse is exhilarated to discover invisibility and tracking magic but flummoxed by her coworker Polly. Wolf, meanwhile, seeks out his enlisted friend Max while running for his life. Between chapters in alternating perspectives, the two write letters to each other, revealing secrets best kept hidden. Will they survive a war that endangers them both for their magic, their minds, and their emotions? Ilse is a complicated, fascinating protagonist, and her scientific mind will draw in teens; her brother's pragmatism provides an interesting counterpoint. While this historical fantasy novel is more of a prequel than a sequel, it has broad appeal for alt-history and urban fantasy readers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)