Book Nook - The Book of Names (Don't Doubt the Rainbow 4)

The Book of Names is a gripping mystery that follows teen detective Edie Marble as she uncovers family secrets linked to one of history’s darkest chapters.

Two stories unfold in parallel, one set in modern-day Britain and the other in occupied Poland in the shadow of the Second World War – creating a powerful adventure that spans generations and explores the enduring impact of courage, memory and identity.

At the height of her fame, Edie is awarded a medal of the highest British honour, the George Cross when she is drawn into a mystery linked to her own family and her late mother’s final case. What begins as an investigation into lost art soon becomes Edie’s most profound case yet, leading her all through Europe from Amsterdam to Auschwitz- Birkenau, and into the heart of one of history's greatest atrocities.

Meanwhile, in 1940s Poland, thirteen-year-old Ida, Edie’s great aunt, navigates the unimaginable as the Nazis seize control of her hometown, Zyrardow. Forced from her home and ruled by force, Ida escapes into the forest and joins the resistance, fighting to protect what remains of her world.

Decades apart but bound together by blood, courage and a search for truth, Edie and Ida’s stories intertwine in a moving search for justice. As Edie exposes this horrendous crime, she confronts danger of the highest order, threatening not only her own safety but the safety of those she loves.

Through adventures and challenges, she learns to understand and harness her innate wellbeing. That wisdom becomes the blueprint she carries forward – helping her face life’s challenges with clarity and trust in her own resilience.

Edie's experiences introduce themes of grief, resilience, identity and emotional wellbeing to young readers, encouraging them to reflect on their own mental health with curiosity rather than judgement. Just as Edie learns to understand herself, readers are invited to consider their own feelings, relationships and sense of purpose.

Inspired in part by the real Book of Names at Auschwitz, a moving memorial that records the identities of millions of Holocaust victims, the book serves as a powerful reminder that history is not just about events, but about people.

Anthony Kessel is a public health physician, academic and author. He is currently Deputy National Medical Director at NHS England and previously worked as Director of Global Public Health at Public Health England. Anthony is an Honorary Professor at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.