Code Name Hélène is a cinematic, high-stakes historical novel about Nancy Wake, a real-life WWII spy who led thousands of French Resistance fighters while wearing signature red lipstick and a Chanel coat. It’s an incredible story of leadership and grit, but it doesn't pull its punches—the depictions of Gestapo brutality and the "salty" language of soldiers make it a better fit for the high school crowd than the middle school one.
Code Name Hélène is a powerhouse of a book that follows the four identities of Nancy Wake, the most decorated woman of WWII. It’s a masterclass in resilience and female agency, though parents should be ready for graphic torture scenes and frequent profanity. If your teen is looking for a war story that’s as much about tradecraft as it is about the battlefield, this is it. Check out our digital guide for high schoolers for more mature reads.
Ariel Lawhon structures the novel around the four names Nancy used during the war: Nancy Wake (the socialite), Hélène (the resistance leader), Lucienne Carlier (the courier), and the White Mouse (the person on the Gestapo's most-wanted list). This isn't just a "girl power" story; it’s a gritty, non-linear deep dive into how a person maintains their identity while the world is literally on fire.
For a teen who is tired of the "damsel in distress" trope or the sanitized version of history often found in textbooks, this book is a revelation. Nancy is profane, stubborn, deeply in love with her husband, and capable of killing a Nazi with her bare hands. She’s a complicated hero, which makes her a much more interesting subject for a high schooler to dig into than a one-dimensional protagonist.
This isn't a "light" historical fiction read. Lawhon is committed to showing the reality of the Maquis (the French Resistance fighters).
- The Violence: It’s graphic. We’re talking about executions, the aftermath of torture, and the brutal reality of guerrilla warfare. It isn't gratuitous, but it’s honest about what the Gestapo did and what the Resistance had to do to stop them.
- The Language: Nancy and her soldiers talk like people who are under constant threat of death. There’s a lot of swearing. If your family is sensitive to "F-bombs," this will be a friction point.
- The Romance: Nancy’s relationship with her husband, Henri Fiocca, is a central pillar of the book. It’s romantic and passionate, but the focus remains on their partnership and the sacrifices they make for the cause rather than explicit scenes.
If Code Name Hélène hits the right notes for your teen, they’re likely ready for historical fiction that leans into the "hidden figures" of the past. Skip the standard classroom assignments and try these:
This is the natural next step. It follows a real-life spy ring of women in WWI and a socialite searching for her cousin in the aftermath of WWII. It has the same dual-timeline energy and focuses on female friendship and the long-term trauma of espionage.
If your kid finishes Hélène and asks, "Wait, did she actually do that?" hand them this. It’s a non-fiction biography of Virginia Hall, another "limping lady" spy who was arguably even more dangerous to the Nazis than Wake. It reads like a thriller but it’s all 100% true.
For the teen who wants the primary source, this is the memoir of the most successful female sniper in history. It’s blunt, chilling, and offers a perspective on the Eastern Front that most American students never get in school.
The best thing about this book is the "Author's Note" at the end. Lawhon is very transparent about what she invented and what actually happened.
The Conversation Starter: After they finish, ask them: "What was the most unbelievable part of the book for you?" Then, look up that specific event together. Usually, the parts that seem the most like "Hollywood fiction"—like Nancy riding a bicycle for 300 miles through German checkpoints in 72 hours—are the parts that actually happened. It’s a great way to talk about the difference between "truth" and "fiction" in historical storytelling.
Q: Is Code Name Hélène appropriate for a 13-year-old? It’s on the edge. While many 8th graders are mature enough for the history, the graphic nature of the torture scenes and the heavy profanity usually land this in the 15+ category. If they've already read and handled The Nightingale, they’ll be fine here.
Q: How much "romance" is in the book? It's a major plot point because Nancy's love for her husband is her primary motivation, but the book is a war thriller first. There are references to their physical relationship, but it’s not "romance novel" territory.
Q: Is this a good book for a school project? Absolutely. Because it’s based so closely on the real life of Nancy Wake, it’s a goldmine for comparing historical fact vs. fictional dramatization. It also touches on the ethics of the French Resistance, which makes for great essay material.
Code Name Hélène is a rare bird: a historical novel that feels modern, fast-paced, and genuinely gritty. It’s an easy "yes" for high schoolers who want a story about a hero who is allowed to be messy, angry, and incredibly effective. For more recommendations, check out our best books for kids list.
- Watch: Find a documentary on Nancy Wake or the French Resistance to see the real faces behind the characters.
- Read: Pair this with A Woman of No Importance for a non-fiction reality check.
- Explore: Check out our digital guide for middle schoolers if you need something slightly lower-intensity.