Helpful Score: 2
A class of twenty fifth French graders (along with the 4-year-old brother of one of them,) who have been evacuated to a rural area along with their teacher during the Nazi occupation of France, are asked to hide ten Jewish children their own age.
When two Nazi soldiers come searching for the Jews while the teacher is away, the classmates hide them in a nearby cave, secretly bring them food and blankets, and resist the Nazis' attempts to terrorize or bribe them into revealing their whereabouts.
It's a short book, only 75 pages, with illustrations by the inimitable William Pene du Bois. I was impressed by how the author presents the Jewish children as EXACTLY THE SAME as the Christian children - they play the same games and miss having chocolate and oranges, for example - except that they are in danger of extermination.
When two Nazi soldiers come searching for the Jews while the teacher is away, the classmates hide them in a nearby cave, secretly bring them food and blankets, and resist the Nazis' attempts to terrorize or bribe them into revealing their whereabouts.
It's a short book, only 75 pages, with illustrations by the inimitable William Pene du Bois. I was impressed by how the author presents the Jewish children as EXACTLY THE SAME as the Christian children - they play the same games and miss having chocolate and oranges, for example - except that they are in danger of extermination.
This book is excellent. Although written for kids, it's exciting and I have read it several times. This book is not a non fiction book but the events in this book are based on fact. Every adult that has read this book has enjoyed it.
Helpful Score: 1
GOod book for kids about WW2. There is suspense, and evil is shown, but in a way appropriate for children to handle.
Helpful Score: 1
My kids enjoyed this book. It was a good introduction to World War II, and is based on actual events. It isn't too intense which makes it a good read aloud for younger kids.
