reviewed

"Residents of a small town in Nazi-occupied Denmark work together to provide a hidden Jewish mother and son safe passage to neutral Sweden.

“New friends” are being harbored in Anett’s dark basement for two nights. Though afraid, she allows their whispering voices to lead her down the stairs. Anett brings food from her mother’s kitchen and books from the library until the boy and his mother can secretly board a fishing boat that will cross over to Sweden. Most of Anett’s daily encounters with neighbors and shopkeepers show that the townsfolk support Anett’s family in their dangerous effort. When the Nazis begin to search houses each night, the situation becomes even more perilous for Anett’s family, and her father determines that they must be taken to the harbor despite the obscuring clouds. Without moonlight, the Jews are beckoned from door to door, guided only by whispering voices—“This way”—that indicate the route to safety. The direct simplicity of the story’s telling serves well as an introduction for younger children to the Holocaust. Dark cartoon sketches reminiscent of Tomi Ungerer in opaque black, blues, grays and khaki green markers and word bubbles with the key words of direction paint the ominous atmosphere.

This uncomplicated narrative of Danish resistance will facilitate teaching and discussion of a difficult yet necessary subject. (author’s note) (Picture book. 5-8)" From Kirkus Reviews, www.kirkusreviews.com

This is a beautiful book about a Danish family hiding Jews in their basement during Nazi occupation in WWII. It's simple and really moving...I did tear up a bit at the end. I love picture books about tough important topics, and this one is great. ( )

I cried reading this to my 4-year old. I don't really think she understood it. Very touching. ( )

Great introduction book for exploring the holocaust and showing how some risked their lives to hide Jewish families. The main characters father is hiding a Jewish mother and her son under their floor and every day the nazis go door to door looking for Jewsih families that may be hiding. The father explains to his daughter how important it is to get the family to the dock and the whole town shows remarkable courage in developing a plan to get the Jewish families to Sweden. ( )