Like the acclaimed Number the Stars , this well-plotted novel features a young Gentile hero battling the Germans in their war against the Jews. As it opens, Jo is guarding the sheep when his dog alerts him to a bear; Jo warns the villagers in his small French town and they kill the hapless beast. The theme here prefigures the more tragic hunt for human prey, while the bear chase itself brings Jo into contact with Benjamin, the reclusive Widow Horcada's Jewish son-in-law, who is hiding in her mountain home. Separated from Anya, his daughter, Benjamin hides other Jewish children and leads them to safety in nearby Spain. Jo is soon enlisted, bringing supplies to the widow's house. Then the Germans encamp in Jo's village, observing everyone and sealing the Spanish border. Jo's concern for the Jews is measured against his reluctant awareness that the German occupiers are not uniformly evil--in fact, the villagers' relations with the Germans form the most distinctive element of the story. Although some key elements are historically improbable (chiefly, a German officer's partial rejection of Nazi principles), the adventure of the Jews' escape into Spain is both gripping and temperate. Ages 10-14. (Apr.)
Jo did not stop until he'd shut the door behind him and even then his heart could not stop pounding in his ears.
Jo finds out that Jewish children are being smuggled away from the Nazis over the mountains near his village. All goes to plan until German soldiers start patrolling the mountains, and Jo realises the children are trapped. Jo's slightest mistake could have devastating consequences...
Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and Guardian Fiction award.
In the tradition of Goodnight Mr Tom, Carrie's War, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and perfect for fans of The Bone Sparrow, Waiting for Anya is a novel that takes children to the heart of a tumultuous period in history. It will provide a wider context for kids who have studied the Holocaust and The Diary of Anne Frank.
In this riveting historical adventure, Morpurgo, the Sunday Times bestselling author, takes us on a journey through Europe during its darkest times. The themes of survival, immigration, and emigration are intricately woven into the narrative, making it a must-read for children and adults alike.
For fans of Katherine Rundell (Rooftoppers), Philip Pullman (The Secret Commonwealth), Michelle Magorian (Goodnight Mister Tom), Dick King-Smith (Martin's Mice), and Louis Sachar (Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger).
Jo did not stop until he'd shut the door behind him and even then his heart could not stop pounding in his ears.
Jo finds out that Jewish children are being smuggled away from the Nazis over the mountains near his village. All goes to plan until German soldiers start patrolling the mountains, and Jo realises the children are trapped. Jo's slightest mistake could have devastating consequences...
Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and Guardian Fiction award.
In the tradition of Goodnight Mr Tom, Carrie's War, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and perfect for fans of The Bone Sparrow, Waiting for Anya is a novel that takes children to the heart of a tumultuous period in history. It will provide a wider context for kids who have studied the Holocaust and The Diary of Anne Frank.
In this riveting historical adventure, Morpurgo, the Sunday Times bestselling author, takes us on a journey through Europe during its darkest times. The themes of survival, immigration, and emigration are intricately woven into the narrative, making it a must-read for children and adults alike.
For fans of Katherine Rundell (Rooftoppers), Philip Pullman (The Secret Commonwealth), Michelle Magorian (Goodnight Mister Tom), Dick King-Smith (Martin's Mice), and Louis Sachar (Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger).
Editorial Reviews
Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940177297514 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | HarperCollins UK |
| Publication date: | 02/13/2020 |
| Edition description: | Unabridged |
| Age Range: | 5 - 8 Years |
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