Our Thoughts

This well-written and meaningful story follows young Annemarie Johansen during the Nazi occupation of Denmark. It draws readers in quickly and keeps their attention with a steady sense of tension, quiet bravery, and purpose all the way through. While the writing is simple and accessible, the themes are powerful and leave a lasting impact. Most of the Christian morals content in this book is shown through actions rather than direct references. We see strong examples of loving one’s neighbor, protecting the innocent, and putting others before oneself, even at great personal risk. Annemarie’s family and others willingly step into danger to help their Jewish friends escape persecution, modeling sacrificial love and moral courage in a way that clearly aligns with biblical principles. There are also meaningful opportunities for discussion around fear, truth, and doing what is right in difficult circumstances. Annemarie grows throughout the story, learning that bravery is not the absence of fear, but choosing to act rightly despite it. Her journey provides a strong example of stepping up when it matters most, even when the outcome is uncertain. A key theme here is courage in the face of fear. The book handles this beautifully, showing how ordinary people, including children, can do extraordinary things when they choose to stand for what is right. While there are references to danger, death, and the realities of war, they are handled with care and without graphic detail, making it appropriate for most middle-grade readers with some parental guidance. We have this one as a Recommended option for your family. It offers an important historical perspective alongside strong moral lessons about courage, sacrifice, and loving others well. A quick note… while we certainly recommend this book, it does not contain overt Christian or biblical references. The lessons are clear and valuable, but they are not directly tied to Scripture within the story itself. Because of that, this is an excellent candidate for a read together or follow up discussion, allowing parents to help connect the story’s themes to a biblical worldview and ensure those lessons are fully understood.