Masters of Silence (The Heroes Quartet)

"The second book in the middle grade series Heroes Quartet brings to light the little-known story of Marcel Marceau's heroic work for the French Resistance during WWII. Desperate to save her children from the Nazis, Henry and Helen's mother takes them to France to hide them in a convent disguised as orphans. During their stay at the convent, they experience visits from a local mime as the children's one source of joy, especially for Henry, whose traumatic experience has left him a selective mute. When an informer gives them up, the children are forced to flee yet again and the mime-a not yet famous Marcel Marceau-risks everything to save them."--