BLUEBIRD, by Sharon Cameron, Scholastic Press, Oct. 5, 2021, Hardcover, $18.99 (young adult)
A young woman seeks justice following the atrocities of WWII in Sharon Cameron’s Bluebird.
In 1946, Eva leaves behind the rubble of Berlin for the streets of New York City, stepping from the fiery aftermath of one war into another, far colder one, where power is more important than principles, and lies are more plentiful than the truth. Eva holds the key to a deadly secret: Project Bluebird — a horrific experiment of the concentration camps, capable of tipping the balance of world power. Both the Americans and the Soviets want Bluebird, and it is something that neither should ever be allowed to possess.
But Eva hasn’t come to America for secrets or power. She hasn’t even come for a new life. She has come to America for one thing: justice. And the Nazi that has escaped its net. —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Press
Bluebird is a gripping thriller from beginning to end that feels like source material for an Alfred Hitchcock movie — Notorious, anyone? Its film noir feel is full of suspense, mystery and romance. But there’s much more to the story. It’s also an intimate look at betrayal, secrets and what truly makes us who we are.
Author Sharon Cameron’s more formal tone may throw a few readers off at first, but it actually suits Eva, who is from a more reserved place and time. Familiarity and comfort with her prose grows with her characters and as the story evolves.
Bluebird is a riveting historical read that will grab you from the first page. It’s a book that will stick with you long after you finish it.
Bluebird deals with some pretty dark subjects — rape, violence, human medical experimentation, etc. Because of this, I recommend it for older, more mature young adults, age 14 and up.
