63 pages 2-hour read

Alan Gratz

Allies

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2019

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

Dee is a 16-year-old American soldier from Philadelphia, hiding a dangerous secret from his unit: he was born in Germany as Dietrich Zimmermann. His parents brought him to America after the Nazis captured his uncle, and he forged his documents to join the army early. He struggles with conflicting feelings about his German heritage and worries how his friends will react if they discover the truth about his citizenship.

Key Relationships

Close Friend of Sid

Briefly Allied with Bill Richards

Acquaintance of Henry Allen

Samira is an 11-year-old Algerian immigrant who fled to France with her parents after her father was killed protesting the German invasion. She frequently accompanies her mother on resistance missions, relying on her acting skills to provide cover. When separated from her mother, she shows immense determination and resourcefulness to complete her critical errand.

Key Relationships

Daughter of Kenza Zidane

Rescuer of Cyrano

Doubted by Perseus

Defended by Jason

Ally of Station Guard

James is a 19-year-old Canadian paratrooper who considers himself absolutely average in civilian life. Haunted by memories of a mock-invasion in his hometown of Winnipeg, he volunteers for the war effort to stop tyranny. When his unit lands seven miles off-target, he must rely on his training and his peers to survive the chaotic drop zone.

Key Relationships

Friend of Sam

Assisted by Station Guard's Wife

Bill is a cheerful 19-year-old British tank driver participating in the invasion of Normandy. He serves to honor the memory of the father he never met, who fought in World War I, and hopes to eventually reach Amiens to carve his name next to his father's. He relies on humor to keep his crew's spirits up during the terrifying realities of the landing.

Key Relationships

Husband of Maggie

Briefly Allied with Dee Carpenter

Henry is a 20-year-old Black American medic from Chicago with ambitions of becoming a doctor. Serving in a segregated unit, he frequently endures severe racial prejudice and mistreatment from his superiors and peers. Despite this, he remains dedicated to saving lives, treating all soldiers with equal care and dignity on the battlefield.

Key Relationships

Acquaintance of Dee Carpenter

Medical Provider for Sid

Monique is a 13-year-old French girl living near the invasion beaches. Initially paralyzed by fear from the surrounding battle, her knowledge of basic first aid compels her to leave her hiding spot to help the wounded. Her deep knowledge of the local terrain proves invaluable in traversing the dangerous coastal area.

Key Relationships

Companion to Dorothy Powell

Rescuer of Dee Carpenter

Supporting Characters

Sid is a Jewish American soldier participating in the D-Day invasion alongside his friend Dee. He is acutely aware of the Nazis' atrocities against Jewish people, which fuels his personal stake in the war. He relies heavily on his friendship with Dee, completely unaware of Dee's German origins.

Key Relationships

Close Friend of Dee Carpenter

Patient of Henry Allen

Kenza is Samira's mother and an Algerian immigrant living in France. Following the death of her husband, she actively works with the French resistance against the occupying forces. She proudly wears a headscarf as a symbol of her Algerian identity and works tirelessly to secure a free future.

Key Relationships

Mother of Samira Zidane

Sam is a Canadian paratrooper of First Nations descent. Like many minority soldiers, he faces casual discrimination from his peers, but he stands his ground. He drops into enemy territory alongside James, bringing specialized skills and steady nerves to their chaotic landing situation.

Key Relationships

Friend of James McKay

Dorothy is an American reporter who sneaks onto a transport ship disguised as a medic to witness the invasion firsthand. She quickly pairs up with Monique, encouraging the young girl's medical skills and challenging the military officers who try to dismiss them based on their gender.

Key Relationships

Companion to Monique Marchand

Rescuer of Dee Carpenter

Maggie is Bill's wife back in Britain. She is currently expecting their first child, providing Bill with a strong sense of hope and a desire to return home safely from the war.

Key Relationships

Wife of Bill Richards

Perseus is the code name for a French resistance fighter who intercepts Samira in the woods. He harbors prejudices against Algerians, openly questioning Samira's loyalty to the French cause because of her ethnic background.

Key Relationships

Suspicious of Samira Zidane

Fellow Fighter with Jason

Jason is a French resistance fighter who stands up for Samira when others doubt her loyalty. He accompanies Samira and the station guard to sabotage the railway lines, throwing himself directly into the dangerous physical labor required to derail a German train.

Key Relationships

Defender of Samira Zidane

Fellow Fighter with Perseus

Cyrano is a stray dog that Samira frees after its owners are taken away by soldiers. Samira names the dog on the spot and uses it as a clever theatrical prop to distract guards at a bridge.

Key Relationships

Rescued by Samira Zidane

The unnamed station guard is a French veteran of World War I who secretly uses his position at the railway to slow down German trains. He readily supports the resistance fighters by providing intelligence and directly assisting Samira in sabotaging the tracks.

Key Relationships

Husband of Station Guard's Wife

An older French woman living in a farmhouse near the Canadian drop zone. She is the wife of the station guard and provides critical directional information to the disoriented paratroopers who knock on her door.

Key Relationships

Wife of Station Guard

Informant to James McKay