Number the Stars

Number the Stars
Written by Lois Lowry
Published at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

About the book

As the German troops begin their campaign to "relocate" all the Jews of Denmark, Annemarie Johansen’s family takes in Annemarie’s best friend, Ellen Rosen, and conceals her as part of the family.

Through the eyes of ten-year-old Annemarie, we watch as the Danish Resistance smuggles almost the entire Jewish population of Denmark, nearly seven thousand people, across the sea to Sweden. The heroism of an entire nation reminds us that there was pride and human decency in the world even during a time of terror and war.

My Thoughts

We have a few novels based on the Second World War at home.  But I was always curious to read Number the Stars.  When I received it I immediately set myself to read it.   While reading it, I could see it would make a great book to study for my oldest son.  I purchased a literature study for the book and plan to do it with him in the new year.

The novel tells the story of two friends living during the Denmark occupation.   The Danish Resistance is trying to help the Jew population to save them.  The book is easy to read and brings life in the resistance more realistic.   Though it is an history novel, the book is based on what a friend of the author has experienced during the long years of the German occupation in Copenhagen.  In the afterword, you will get more information at what happened during the occupation of Denmark in 1940.

I find this book to be a good fit when studying the Second World War period in history.   It will give the reader a better understand of the risk taken by the Resistance throughout Europe to protect people in need.

Number the Stars is available at your favourite bookstore, even amazon.ca and amazon.com.

  

The book is also available on Kindle.

  

Disclaimer: Thanks to Thomas Allen for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

The Butterfly and the Violin

The Butterfly and the Violin
By Kristy Cambron
Published at Thomas Nelson

About the book

And then came war . . .

Today. Sera James spends most of her time arranging auctions for the art world’s elite clientele. When her search to uncover an original portrait of an unknown Holocaust victim leads her to William Hanover III, they learn that this painting is much more than it seems.

Vienna, 1942. Adele Von Bron has always known what was expected of her. As a prodigy of Vienna’s vast musical heritage, this concert violinist intends to carry on her family's tradition and play with the Vienna Philharmonic. But when the Nazis learn that she helped smuggle Jews out of the city, Adele is taken from her promising future and thrust into the horrifying world of Auschwitz.

The veil of innocence is lifted to expose a shuddering presence of evil, and Adele realizes that her God-given gift is her only advantage; she must play. Becoming a member of the Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz, she fights for survival. Adele’s barbed-wire walls begin to kill her hope as the months drag into nearly two years in the camp. With surprising courage against the backdrop of murder and despair, Adele finally confronts a question that has been tugging at her heart: Even in the midst of evil, can she find hope in worshipping God with her gift?

As Sera and William learn more about the subject of the mysterious portrait—Adele—they are reminded that whatever horrors one might face, God’s faithfulness never falters.

My Thoughts

As I read this historical novel I was immediately sucked in the story.  Part happening in the past and part happening in the present time, the novel is based on a mystery that two people are trying to resolve but for different reasons.    The main characters in the present day  will go through the emotions of their discoveries in order to mend their own heart and to discern God’s guidance in their lives.   However, as the two main characters of the present time try to resolve the mystery of the missing original painting, the reader is propelled into the 1940s during the 2nd World War and learn how Adele Von Bron, Vienna’s prodigy, ends up in Auschwitz and how she will learn to live in the conditions she finds herself in.  Did this talented young woman survived her time in a concentration camp?   To discover the answer you will have to read the book.

I really enjoyed the book.   I discovered in the past year that I really like historical fictions.    They have a way to touch your soul in the deepest ends.  This time, as I read the book I reflected on the fact that many have died in the concentration camps during the 2nd World War.  One morning as I was breading the hair of my 6th years old daughter, I was almost in tears thinking of the fact that kids went there and died during their imprisonment.   This book has encouraged me to read a bit more about the 2nd World Ward and learn about this part of history.   I already have selected some other titles during this period of time – some novels and others being autobiographies.

If you have an interest of reading historical fiction and enjoy learning more about life in the concentration camps, I suggest that you pick up The Butterfly and the Violin.  It is a great book that is perfect for anyone.   It could also be used as a fiction to read while studying the 2nd World War.

The Butterfly and the Violin is available for purchase at your favourite bookstore, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

  

The book is also available for the Kindle.

  

Disclaimer: Thanks to Thomas Nelson for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes . I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Life Behind the Wall

Life Behind the Wall
Written by Robert Elmer
Published at Zondervan

About the book

Cut off by the Iron Curtain This epic tale extends across generations and unfolds against the backdrop of a dangerous Cold War Berlin. This historically accurate, action-packed, three-books-in-one edition features three generations of resourceful teens living in the shadow of the Berlin Wall. Titles include: Candy Bombers: In spring 1948, teenage cousins Erich and Katarina are simply trying to survive in war-ravaged Berlin when the Soviets blockade the east side of the city, isolating its citizens---and starving them---behind the Iron Curtain. Beetle Bunker: In August 1961, Sabine discovers a forgotten underground bunker. Though she first uses it to escape her crowded home, she soon realizes her hideout could possibly take her family under the wall to West Berlin and freedom! Smuggler's Treasure: In spring 1989, life is good in West Germany, and even the Cold War seems to be thawing in the warmer weather. But as Liesl works on a class project about the history of the wall, she stumbles onto a startling secret no one will talk about.

My Thoughts

Life Behind the Wall is in fact threes books in one by Robert Elmer- Candy Bombers, Hidden Bunkers, and Smuggler's Treasure. I originally requested this book for my oldest son who enjoys reading war based novels. This series of books is presenting the life in Berlin after the World War II when the Russians invaded the city and separated it.

Candy Bombers is set in time during the summer of 1948. Russians has invaded Berlin and life is difficult for Erich and his mom. They go visit his grand-mother who lives on the East side of Berlin while they live on the West side. Looking for extra food, Erich is adventurous to the point where he tries to get sneak into an American plane who bring relief to the population. At some point he becomes friends with a young man serving in Berlin. Candy bombs become small gestures for kids on the East side of the city to bring some smiles on their faces. But these are not welcomed and rapidly confiscated by the Russians. But Erich tries has best he can to help people around him.

Hidden Bunkers follow Sabine who is the step-sister of Erich during the year of 1961. She now lives with her mom, brother, step-grand-mother as well as uncle and aunt in a building on the East side of Berlin. Life is difficult with the oppression of the Russians military. Suddenly, one night the unthinkable happens. A wall has risen and now separates the city in two factions - East and West. And it is impossible to try to cross over. Those who try are immediately either capture or killed. But there is hope when she discover an old bunker and from this discovery comes a possible escape. But the escape won't happen without leaving an important character behind.

Finally, in Smuggler's Treasure we follow the adventures of the niece of Erich, Liesl, as she turn thirteen and live on the West side of the city and sometimes visits her uncle on the East side. Her view of life when the city is divided by the wall concludes with the collapsed of the wall as we have seen it happened in 1989. Through her adventures, she discover the truth behind some of the things that happened in the past and is able to reunite all her family together.

At the end of each books the author explain how the story is based on what really happened as well as offers some questions for further discussion between your child and yourself of you want to explore more on what the book covered or to help a group of young readers to discuss the book further.

My son, age thirteen, read the three books avidly and really enjoyed it.   A few times I saw him searching German words to discover their meaning as he pursued his reading. I thought it was a great way to learn something new while reading.  I also read the books and found them well written. It caught my attention from the first page of the first book until the last page of the third book. The story is engaging and you get to the point that you wait expectantly for the next chapter. Actually, it was somewhat hard to put the tablet down and not pursue the reading. I really enjoy reading about the experience of the family portrayed in these books while living the dramatic events of life in Berlin.

If you have a child interesting in novels based on events during war time, I find that Life Behind the Wall is a great way to expose him or her to the events surrounding the wall of Berlin. It would also make a great summer read as it cover some historical events in it.

Life Behind the Wall is available for purchase at your favourite bookstore, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

   

The book is also available on Kindle.

   

 Disclaimer: Thanks to Zondervan for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.