I must have read this too young, because I remember being confused by the title vs themes, and I must have been 8 or 9, but didn't actually remember the plot at all. Maybe something about two friends on a sidewalk? but that could have been fun the cover. I also definitely thought Copenhagen was in the Netherlands at the time!

Anyway, I recently watched the Danish series "Seaside Hotel" which spans 15 years over nine seasons, ending in 1945. Some of the plotlines involved the Danish Resistance, and eventually remembered this book and thought to revisit it. It's a bit oblique about the war, avoiding anything too scary or traumatic. Meant for middle grade readers, the themes are mostly about personal bravery and fear, and how being afraid doesn't mean you aren't brave.

I definitely did not understand the urgency of sending Ellen and her family to Sweden when i was a kid, but I probably did take in the message about fear, because it felt very familiar. And now that I know more of the context, the fear for the Rosens and Johansens had a lot more meaning. Perhaps this book is better read alongside introductory lessons to the Holocaust, rather than in isolation as I did. ( )

Independent reading level grades four through seven.
Historical fiction ages 9+

AR: 4.5

AR: 4.5

It is a point that indicates excellent writing that Lowry can consistently make a compelling story with vivid characters in a book that can be read in an evening. That she also manages to make a strong social and historical statement is even more of a reason to recommend this book. ( )