Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Lemniscaat: Rotterdam (1998), Hardcover
Description
Michiel and his village join the resistance in German-occupied Holland during World War II.
User reviews
LibraryThing member JKoetsier
This book provides a good image of how the war was experienced by young people. Jan Terlouw wants to show how lonely people felt during the war, and how they should not trust anybody. And he did a good job in doing so.
LibraryThing member ParadisePorch
Set in occupied Holland in the winter of 1944-45, Europe’s bleakest winter of WWII, this children’s chapter book, winner of the 1973 Best Dutch Juvenile Literature prize, tells the story of fifteen-year-old Michiel and his family. Through a series of circumstances, Michiel becomes responsible
Although there are some heroic deeds performed, the author does not lose sight of the reality of war.
“(H)is father had once said: (. . .) Don’t think that it is only the Germans who are guilty. The Dutch, the British, the French, every nation has murdered without mercy and perpetrated unbelievable tortures in times of war. That is why, Michiel, you shouldn’t allow yourself to be misled by the romance of war, the romance of heroic deeds, sacrifice, tension and adventure. War means wounds, sadness, torture, prison, hunger, hardship and injustice. There is nothing romantic about it.”
While this is a children’s book, it is also suitable for adult readers. Even though it’s not overly graphic, the author still brings to life the desperation and pain of daily life: the cold, the hunger, the fear, the uncertainty of whom to trust, the death. As such, it is probably suitable for children 11 or older.
Read this if: you’re looking for a WWII story that doesn’t touch on the Holocaust; or you want to introduce your adolescent reader to what life is like for ordinary citizens in time of war. 4 stars
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for an injured British pilot who has been hidden by resistance members.Although there are some heroic deeds performed, the author does not lose sight of the reality of war.
“(H)is father had once said: (. . .) Don’t think that it is only the Germans who are guilty. The Dutch, the British, the French, every nation has murdered without mercy and perpetrated unbelievable tortures in times of war. That is why, Michiel, you shouldn’t allow yourself to be misled by the romance of war, the romance of heroic deeds, sacrifice, tension and adventure. War means wounds, sadness, torture, prison, hunger, hardship and injustice. There is nothing romantic about it.”
While this is a children’s book, it is also suitable for adult readers. Even though it’s not overly graphic, the author still brings to life the desperation and pain of daily life: the cold, the hunger, the fear, the uncertainty of whom to trust, the death. As such, it is probably suitable for children 11 or older.
Read this if: you’re looking for a WWII story that doesn’t touch on the Holocaust; or you want to introduce your adolescent reader to what life is like for ordinary citizens in time of war. 4 stars
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Awards
IBBY Honour Book (1998)
Global Literature in Libraries Initiative Translated YA Book Prize (Shortlist — 2020)
Gouden Griffel (Gouden — 1973)
Language
Original publication date
1972
Physical description
8.5 inches
ISBN
9060691180 / 9789060691182
Other editions
Oorlogswinter by Jan Terlouw (Paperback)