About This Book
Reach for this book if your teen is struggling with the invisible weight of past trauma, particularly the feeling of being misunderstood by those who did not share their experiences. Monica Hesse offers a sophisticated look at the Hello Girls, the real women who served as telephone operators during World War I. The story oscillates between 1918 France and 1920 Washington D.C., following eighteen-year-old Edda as she navigates the guilt of survival and the mystery of a cryptic message that threatens her new life. It is an excellent choice for mature readers who appreciate historical accuracy and stories about female agency. While it touches on the harsh realities of war and the mental toll of service, it serves as a powerful bridge for discussing resilience, the complexity of memory, and the courage it takes to confront one's own history.
