Summary
It is 1943 in Nazi-occupied Denmark. Anett and her parents are hiding a Jewish woman and her son, Carl, in their cellar until a fishing boat can take them across the sound to neutral Sweden. The soldiers patrolling their street are growing suspicious, so Carl and his mama must make their way to the harbor despite a cloudy sky with no moon to guide them. Worried about their safety, Anett devises a clever and unusual plan for their safe passage to the harbor. Based on a true story.
February 2014, Kar-Ben Publishing. Ages 7 and up. ISBN: 1467711950
It is 1943 in Nazi-occupied Denmark. Anett and her parents are hiding a Jewish woman and her son, Carl, in their cellar until a fishing boat can take them across the sound to neutral Sweden. The soldiers patrolling their street are growing suspicious, so Carl and his mama must make their way to the harbor despite a cloudy sky with no moon to guide them. Worried about their safety, Anett devises a clever and unusual plan for their safe passage to the harbor. Based on a true story.
February 2014, Kar-Ben Publishing. Ages 7 and up. ISBN: 1467711950
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Reviews
“Both author and illustrator do an excellent job of bringing both the horror and humanity of this story to a level younger children can understand, and there is much of both: Nazis pounding on doors; Carl giving Anett his most prized possession, a heart shaped stone, a last gift from his father. An unusual and strong addition to Holocaust literature.”
–Booklist Starred Review
“This slim volume is highly recommended for its fine read, for its introduction to sound historical fiction and for its gentle look at a difficult past that cannot be ignored.”
–Jewish Book World Starred Review
“The setting is a Danish fishing village, but one of the books’ charms is how little context you need to understand it … it feels appropriate for reading to very young children as an introduction to the subject of the Holocaust.”
–The New York Times
“Based on real events that unfolded in the Danish fishing town of Gilleleje, it’s a story that feels urgent and refreshingly unsentimental. Elvgren (Josias, Hold the Book) never stops her reportorial storytelling for a speech about why these brave people are defying the Nazis–Anett just knows she has to act.”
–Publisher’s Weekly
“The direct simplicity of the story’s telling serves well as an introduction for younger children to the Holocaust … This uncomplicated narrative of Danish resistance will facilitate teaching a discussion of a difficult yet necessary subject.
–Kirkus Reviews
“Elvgren’s focused, unsentimentalized narrative is an ideal selection for introducing younger children to the many who stood up to do what was right during the Nazi regime … This is a notable early introduction to the Danish resistance that deserves wide readership.”
–Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Awards and Distinctions
Love Your Neighbor: Book List #1 Standing Up For Each Other 2018
Association of Jewish Libraries
How to Talk to Your Kids About Charlottesville Book List 2017
The New York Times
Living the Dream Book Award 2016
Manhattan Country School
Panda Book Award Shortlist 2015-2016 (Middle Readers)
International Schools of China
The Andersen Prize 2015 (6/9 Category)
Italy
Jane Addams Honor Book 2015 (Younger Reader Category)
The Jane Addams Peace Association
ALA Children’s Notable Book List 2015 (Middle Readers)
The American Library Association
Sydney Taylor Honor Book 2015 (Older Readers)
The Association of Jewish Libraries
Elephant’s Trunk Award 2015
Early Learning Center of Bangkok, Thailand
Holocaust Remembrance Day 2018 – 40 Mighty Girl Books about the Holocaust
Top 2014 Mighty Girl Books for Younger Readers
Pick of the Day – February 22, 2017; August 7, 2015 and January 8, 2015
A Mighty Girl
Notable Children's Literature List 2015 (Middle Readers)
Kutztown University Children's Literature Conference
National Jewish Book Award Finalist 2015 (Illustrated Children’s Book)
Jewish Book Council
The Best Jewish Children's Books of 2014
Tablet Magazine
Top 10 Religion and Spirituality Books for Youth 2014
Booklist
“Both author and illustrator do an excellent job of bringing both the horror and humanity of this story to a level younger children can understand, and there is much of both: Nazis pounding on doors; Carl giving Anett his most prized possession, a heart shaped stone, a last gift from his father. An unusual and strong addition to Holocaust literature.”
–Booklist Starred Review
“This slim volume is highly recommended for its fine read, for its introduction to sound historical fiction and for its gentle look at a difficult past that cannot be ignored.”
–Jewish Book World Starred Review
“The setting is a Danish fishing village, but one of the books’ charms is how little context you need to understand it … it feels appropriate for reading to very young children as an introduction to the subject of the Holocaust.”
–The New York Times
“Based on real events that unfolded in the Danish fishing town of Gilleleje, it’s a story that feels urgent and refreshingly unsentimental. Elvgren (Josias, Hold the Book) never stops her reportorial storytelling for a speech about why these brave people are defying the Nazis–Anett just knows she has to act.”
–Publisher’s Weekly
“The direct simplicity of the story’s telling serves well as an introduction for younger children to the Holocaust … This uncomplicated narrative of Danish resistance will facilitate teaching a discussion of a difficult yet necessary subject.
–Kirkus Reviews
“Elvgren’s focused, unsentimentalized narrative is an ideal selection for introducing younger children to the many who stood up to do what was right during the Nazi regime … This is a notable early introduction to the Danish resistance that deserves wide readership.”
–Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Awards and Distinctions
Love Your Neighbor: Book List #1 Standing Up For Each Other 2018
Association of Jewish Libraries
How to Talk to Your Kids About Charlottesville Book List 2017
The New York Times
Living the Dream Book Award 2016
Manhattan Country School
Panda Book Award Shortlist 2015-2016 (Middle Readers)
International Schools of China
The Andersen Prize 2015 (6/9 Category)
Italy
Jane Addams Honor Book 2015 (Younger Reader Category)
The Jane Addams Peace Association
ALA Children’s Notable Book List 2015 (Middle Readers)
The American Library Association
Sydney Taylor Honor Book 2015 (Older Readers)
The Association of Jewish Libraries
Elephant’s Trunk Award 2015
Early Learning Center of Bangkok, Thailand
Holocaust Remembrance Day 2018 – 40 Mighty Girl Books about the Holocaust
Top 2014 Mighty Girl Books for Younger Readers
Pick of the Day – February 22, 2017; August 7, 2015 and January 8, 2015
A Mighty Girl
Notable Children's Literature List 2015 (Middle Readers)
Kutztown University Children's Literature Conference
National Jewish Book Award Finalist 2015 (Illustrated Children’s Book)
Jewish Book Council
The Best Jewish Children's Books of 2014
Tablet Magazine
Top 10 Religion and Spirituality Books for Youth 2014
Booklist
State Reading Lists
Prairie Pasque Book Award 2016-2017 (4th and 5th grades)
South Dakota Children’s Book Awards
Best Bets for the Classroom 2015
Virginia State Reading Association
Kiss the Book Top 50 Books for Secondary 2015
Utah School Librarians Conference
Missouri State Teachers Association Book List 2015
Prairie Pasque Book Award 2016-2017 (4th and 5th grades)
South Dakota Children’s Book Awards
Best Bets for the Classroom 2015
Virginia State Reading Association
Kiss the Book Top 50 Books for Secondary 2015
Utah School Librarians Conference
Missouri State Teachers Association Book List 2015