“Reality is the condition we create for ourselves.”
― Sharon Cameron, Bluebird

Bluebird by Sharon Cameron is an Iowa High School Book Award nominee for 2023-2024. Having already read a couple of the other nominees and enjoyed them, I wanted to dive into more!

Bluebird is a historical novel set in post World War II. There are flashbacks, as well as back and forth, but once you get used to it, the book flies by! While this book is artfully detailed and lengthy, it doesn’t have any long drawn-out descriptions. Although this is fiction, there is a section of notes at the very end that discusses how the author researched her book, plus the relevant real history.  If you’re like me and tend to skip the notes, read these ones! They gave me a jumping off point to some more research. (I also listened to the audiobook which added to the experience.) Now let’s talk Bluebird.

Eva grew up in Germany, but in 1946, she leaves the rubble and destruction of Berlin behind to head to New York City. Traveling with her friend, Eva has no idea what they are headed into, only that she hopes it will lead to justice for her, her friend, and her family. As soon as they settle, Eva realizes that New York may be full of more danger than Germany. Believing in something doesn’t mean anything when you’re up against men with power, but Eva knows what she’s fighting for is more important. As she searches for the truth, she realizes that those she once trusted may be lying to her.

Eva is more valuable than others realize though. She holds the key to Project Bluebird, a horrific experiment project that could tip the balance of world power if its truth is exposed. More than just the Germans want to know about Project Bluebird. The Americans and Soviets are desperate to have that power, although if either is successful, lives would drastically change.

Eva doesn’t care about Project Bluebird. She doesn’t care about what other countries want. She came to America for one thing: justice. She wants the Nazi who escaped from her. She wants to finally hold him accountable for what he did to her and to others.

This title is also available as a Libby eBook, Libby eAudiobook, and Playaway Audiobook.