Book overview
*Winner of the 2026 Sydney Taylor Book Award Honor in the Young Adult category!
Part historical mystery, part sweeping romance, The Rebel Girls of Rome brings the stories of two young women to brilliant life: Lilah, a college student looking to understand her grandfather's mysterious past, and Bruna, a queer Jewish woman who joins the resistance during World War II.
From Jordyn Taylor, author of The Paper Girl of Paris, this dual-contemporary and historical tale--where heartbreak, hope, and finding light in times of darkness are inevitably intertwined--is perfect for readers of Ruta Sepetys and Monica Hesse.
Now:
Grieving the loss of her mother, college student Lilah is hoping to reconnect with a grandfather who refuses to talk about his past. Then she receives a mysterious letter from a fellow student, Tommaso, claiming he's found a lost family heirloom, and her world is upended.
Soon Lilah finds herself in Rome, trying to unlock her grandfather's history as a Holocaust survivor once and for all. But as she and Tommaso get closer to the truth--and their relationship begins to deepen into something sweeter--Lilah realizes that some secrets may be too painful to unbury...
Then:
It's 1943, and nineteen-year-old Bruna and her family are doing their best to survive in Rome's Jewish quarter under Nazi occupation. Until the dreaded knock comes early one morning, and Bruna is irrevocably separated from the rest of her family.
Overcome with guilt at escaping her family's fate in the camps, she joins the underground rebellion. When her missions bring her back to her childhood crush, Elsa, Bruna must decide how much she's willing to risk--when fully embracing herself is her greatest act of resistance.
In a city of secrets, what will two young women risk for love, family, and freedom?
- Dual Timeline Narrative: In the present, Lilah searches for answers about her grandfather's past. In 1943, her great-aunt Bruna fights for her life in Nazi-occupied Rome.
- A Stirring Sapphic Romance: Forced to hide her identity, Bruna reunites with her childhood crush, Elsa, finding love and defiance in the heart of the resistance.
- Unforgettable Historical Mystery: A mysterious locket connects two generations, unlocking a painful history and a story of incredible bravery that was almost lost forever.
- Found Family Forged in War: After losing everything, Bruna joins a band of young partisans, discovering a new family defined by courage and rebellion.
