63 pages • 2-hour read
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Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Companion to Dorothy Powell
Rescuer of Dee Carpenter
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ally of Samira Zidane
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.
Wife of Station Guard
Informant to James McKay