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halthemonarch's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve read two kinds of books about the Nazi occupation of Europe; one is drenched in horror upon horror of the deepest sacrelige against humanity, and one is a tense and chilling but almost adventerously naive and heartbreakingly courageous story through the lense of children. Annemarie Johansen, Anne Frank, Freidrich Schmidt, and Jojo Rabbit have a very different account of things than Lale Slate, Neville Chamberlain, and Winston Churchill. Knowing the horrors as I do now as an adult, I felt fear for the girls Annemarie, Kristi, and Ellen in occupied Denmark. There was always the possibility that one of them could get hurt or worse faced with the wrong Nazi guard on that street corner—Nevermind that her older sister and brother-in-law were a part of the resistance before they were gunned don.
I read this one in short gulps, partially to prove to myself that I could in fact finish a physical book without its audio companion. Granted this book is pretty short and meant for children, and maybe took like four or five hours in total to swallow. I really enjoy Lowry’s voice; I remember having enjoyed The Giver in high school and once I saw the Star of David, I knew I was going to pick it up.
We follow Annemarie and her family, and their neighbors the Rosens as they live through the early stages of occupation in 1943. Think about that—1943 doesn’t seem all that long ago when I picture it. The Nazi’s coming to the schools, combing businesses, deliscensing teachers and doctors . When the time came to be brave, Annemarie and her family didn’t hesitate. Most of them, it seemed, were in the resistance or at least willing to risk their lives for what was right and who they considered friends, and together they smuggled the Rosens to Sweden with a bit of luck and a lace handkerchief. This story illustrates that courage comes in all shapes and ages.
I read this one in short gulps, partially to prove to myself that I could in fact finish a physical book without its audio companion. Granted this book is pretty short and meant for children, and maybe took like four or five hours in total to swallow. I really enjoy Lowry’s voice; I remember having enjoyed The Giver in high school and once I saw the Star of David, I knew I was going to pick it up.
We follow Annemarie and her family, and their neighbors the Rosens as they live through the early stages of occupation in 1943. Think about that—1943 doesn’t seem all that long ago when I picture it. The Nazi’s coming to the schools, combing businesses, deliscensing teachers and doctors . When the time came to be brave, Annemarie and her family didn’t hesitate. Most of them, it seemed, were in the resistance or at least willing to risk their lives for what was right and who they considered friends, and together they smuggled the Rosens to Sweden with a bit of luck and a lace handkerchief. This story illustrates that courage comes in all shapes and ages.
bearfamilyreads's review against another edition
4.0
For its target audience (middle grade), this was well written with a good message. I hadn't known of Denmark's status during WWII and their role in helping Jewish people get to safety.
Overall, a good read.
Overall, a good read.
bperl's review against another edition
4.0
A well-written short story set during the Nazi occupation of Norway. It approaches the narrative-worn German occupation with an approach I haven’t seen before, and it’s refreshing in its variety.
jantown's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
shelhunterr's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing. This has alwasy been one of my favorite books. Soo memorable.
madeleinem13's review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
no real plot and tells an important story but i think there’s other’s children’s literature that do a better, more impactful job of telling this history
jenmangler's review against another edition
3.0
What I like most about this book is how it gets the reader to reflect on her/his own character, just as Annemarie does.
rachelray126's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
lottie1803's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0