This is such an interesting book! I have never heard of Virginia Hall but now I'm anxious to know more about her.
Although this book reads as more of a textbook (not emotional) than a novel, the things that are discussed are a part of our history and should not be forgotten. It seems like the author deliberately chose to report the facts and minimize the emotional toll when writing this book. Honestly, it is probably for the best as it seems like the horrific things Virginia saw and knew about would be to much for the average reader.
We hopefully learn from the past, and this book has a lot to share.
Enjoy!

This is an engaging and informative biography. I like the structure of the book with events and descriptions intermingled with photographs. The text itself seems to run in modified free verse (I'm not sure if that's intentional or if I just like where the line breaks were in reference to the content). The content is accessible without being overly simple. Very enjoyable.

How did a young lady from a wealthy family in Maryland end up as the Gestapo’s most wanted spy? This YA biography of Virginia Hall tells the reader how it happened and more. With chapters titled for each of the many aliases and nicknames used by Virginia Hall, this book takes readers through her extraordinary life and her evolution as a resistance fighter and intelligence operative.

The author tells the reader about Virginia Hall’s bravery, intelligence, and determination to life in this thoroughly researched biography endorsed by Hall’s family. The biography is written in prose. I normally don’t care for this style but found it enjoyable to read. Virginia Hall was a truly remarkable woman who should not be forgotten.

The Mysterious Virginia Hall is an eye-opening and compelling biography depicting the heroic and underpraised WW2 spy, Virginia Hall. Friddell writes concisely, taking the reader on a swift and engaging tour of Hall's life. Friddell has a keen eye for extracting the heart of a story and funny or thrilling anecdotes are paired well with photographs and documents. The result is an evocative if somewhat surface-level account of a heroic life. While The Mysterious Virginia Hall is a great introduction to a younger reader, with just enough to whet the appetite, Hall's extraordinary life is not difficult to find engaging, which makes the rather passive voice of the biography, and lack of any substantial details, disappointing. A more active voice and more time spent on storytelling rather than praise, would have made this a fuller, richer, and more complete account.

If you are looking for a quick, easy, and enjoyable introduction to the legendary Virginia Hall, Friddell offers just that - nothing more, nothing less . But even young readers may benefit from more advanced and varied accounts of Hall's extraordinary life - something we no doubt owe our scrappy war hero.

This was super challenging for Me to finish. I was absolutely pumped to start/read it but it just fell
Flat.

I thought it was good and gave good insight into Virginia Hall, who isn’t someone I’d ever heard of. I feel like it gives good insight to a different part of World War II than what we get in our basic history classes. As a children’s book, the writing is simple and easy to understand.

Like I said, this is a children’s book. I would say early reader book, as it reads very much like something I would’ve used for a research paper in 2nd/3rd grade. With that said, I found the layout of the pages/passages weird. Like it looks like it could be free verse poetry style or if it is shaped to go around pictures. And some times there are pictures, so the spacing makes sense, but a lot of times there aren’t.

An ARC was provided from Astra Publishing House and NetGalley.

I was really intrigued by this book when I saw it on NetGalley. A dangerous spy who lost her leg to gangrene after an accident and she went on to serve her country. She never let her accident hold her back and she became a force that people never thought to question. It was interesting to read about her life.
4 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Thank you to NetGalley and Astra Publishing House for providing me with a copy of *The Mysterious Virginia Hall* by Claudia Friddell in exchange for my honest review. #TheMysteriousVirginiaHall #NetGalley

This fast-paced nonfiction biography is a must-have for any school librarian looking to enhance their collection. It tells the captivating story of Virginia Hall, the most intriguing female CIA agent in U.S. history. The book effectively conveys her life through thorough research, quotes, and actual photographs. It would make an excellent addition to any educator's World War II curriculum.

The story of how a young woman becomes a Gestapo spy in WWII. It was well researched and easy to read. Claudia Friddell is a new author to me. I’ll read more by her.

Claudia Friddell’s The Mysterious Virginia Hall is an illuminating biography of certainly one of World War II's most fascinating figures. Written for younger audiences, this engaging narrative unveils the high-quality tale of Virginia Hall, a daring secret agent who defied expectations and became one of the maximum a hit operatives in the battle effort.

Friddell’s writing excels in mixing historical accuracy with an reachable and gripping storytelling fashion. The narrative captures the reader’s imagination via shiny descriptions of Hall's covert operations and her imaginative methods to outwit the Nazis. Illustrations accompanying the textual content enrich the reader’s enjoy, supplying a visible context that complements the tale beautifully.

Hall’s perseverance, particularly as a person who overcame a physical incapacity (her wood leg, nicknamed “Cuthbert”), is offered with admiration and sensitivity. Friddell emphasizes Hall’s intelligence, courage, and adaptableness, making her an inspirational figure for readers of all ages.

Pros:
1. Accessibility: The ebook distills complicated historical occasions into a digestible format for young readers with out oversimplifying.
2. Inspiration: Hall’s story of resilience and braveness is empowering.
3. Engaging visuals: The illustrations are precise and complement the narrative efficiently.
4. Educational fee: It introduces readers to crucial historic occasions, which include the role of ladies in espionage during WWII.

Cons:
1. Limited depth: While best for its target audience, older readers or history lovers may additionally discover the e-book lacking in element.
2. Simplistic tone: At instances, the narrative sacrifices depth for accessibility, which can also oversimplify Hall’s demanding situations.

Overall, The Mysterious Virginia Hall is a compelling and galvanizing creation to an fantastic female’s lifestyles. It’s a should-study for younger records buffs and educators seeking to highlight high-quality figures who formed history. However, readers in search of a deeper dive might also prefer more comprehensive biographies.