Rachel Cohen has been living in Sèvres Children's Home outside of Paris for months, since her parents left her there. Recently she has found a love for photography. At this same time World War II has begun. Eventually, the war reaches Paris and Rachel must change her name to Catherine Collin and flee to save her life. On her journey she takes her camera and captures her experience. Illustrations are digitally rendered in soft colors with stylized drawings.

2021 Batchelder Honor Award, Winner of the Youth Prize at the Angoulême International Comics Festival, Winner of the Artémisia Prize for Historical Fiction, Winner of the Andersen Premio Prize.

Author is French and writes novels, short stories, and poetry.

French. Originally published in France as La guerre de Catherine by Rue de Sévres in 2017. English translation by Ivanka Hahnenberger published in the United States by HarperCollins/ Harper Alley in 2020.

“A shining story of a young girl who struggles to come of age and find her place in a world fraught with danger.” —Susan Campbell Bartoletti, Newbery Honor-winning author of Hitler Youth

* Winner of the Youth Prize at the Angoulême International Comics Festival (voted by readers) * Winner of the Artémisia Prize for Historical Fiction * Winner of the Andersen Premio Prize *

A magnificent narrative inspired by a true survival story that asks universal questions about a young girl’s coming of age story, her identity, her passions, and her first loves.

At the Sèvres Children’s Home outside Paris, Rachel Cohen has discovered her passion—photography. Although she hasn’t heard from her parents in months, she loves the people at her school, adores capturing what she sees in pictures, and tries not to worry too much about Hitler’s war. But as France buckles under the Nazi regime, danger closes in, and Rachel must change her name and go into hiding.

As Catherine Colin, Rachel Cohen is faced with leaving the Sèvres Home—and the friends she made there—behind. But with her beautiful camera, Catherine possesses an object with the power to remember. For the rest of the war, Catherine bears witness to her own journey, and to the countless heroes whose courage and generosity saved the lives of many, including her own.

Based on the author’s mother’s own experiences as a hidden child in France during World War II, Catherine’s War is one of the most accessible historical graphic novels featuring a powerful girl since Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi—perfect for fans of Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief, Anne Frank, or Helen Keller.

Includes a map and photographs of the real Catherine and her wartime experiences, as well as an interview with author Julia Billet.

“Many of the settings are beautifully detailed, and the characters undeniably expressive. Catherine’s ability to find beauty in the world makes for a forward-looking read.” —Booklist *(starred review)*

“This story will make readers want to join the Resistance. Characters are drawn so vividly that, long afterward, readers will remember their names.” —Kirkus

An Indie Next List Pick!

*A Junior Library Guild selection*