The Schoolteacher of Saint Michel

by Sarah Steele

My absolute favourite genre of books is those dedicated to stories of the French resistance during WW2. I am fascinated by their acts of bravery: the heroism of ordinary individuals who overcame their fears to defy their enemy and help those in desperate need.

This book, which popped up on my Facebook feed, has to be one of my all-time favourites! It kept me gripped from start to finish as I became engrossed in the two ongoing stories. Not every character is what it seems which both shocked and fascinated me and I imagine was very true to life. I doubt, however, that I could have risked inciting the hatred of my fellow villagers whilst secretly working for the Resistance.

This book also appealed to me as it focusses on a village school teacher who wants to protect the children in her care. Working in several small village schools myself, I built up close relationships with the children and their families so understood this need to protect them wherever possible.

The story is set in 1942 and the present day. Hannah Stone finds a letter from her late grandmother which sets her on a journey to the Dordogne to discover more. During her travels, she unravels a lost story of bravery and sacrifice, discovers acts of heroism, incredible courage in the face of certain death and a secret.

In 1942, in France, a small village is divided into two by a barrier that separates occupied France from Free France. A school teacher delivers her children safely across the bridge past the German checkpoint but has a secret, a desire to help other children in desperate need.

Inspired by real acts of resistance during WW2, this book is moving, uplifting, gripping, terrifying, sad, joyous and thought provoking. I absolutely loved it and was only sad that I finished it in record time as I just had to keep finding out what happened next!

I do hope that you enjoy it too.