Beyond Belief

Beyond Belief by Dee White (Omnibus Books from Scholastic Australia) PB RRP ISBN 9781760662516

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

The title of this novel for readers aged 8 to 12 years is appropriate given that is was inspired by the true story of Muslims who saved the lives of Jewish children in the Second World War. (There is a Quran saying, ‘Allah says to save one man’s life is to save the whole of mankind’.)

In 1942, in the Grand Mosque in Paris, 11-year-old Ruben is hiding from the Nazis, taken there by his parents who are desperately trying to find his older sister, Rosa. Ruben is passing himself off as a Muslim named Abdul Azim, son of the mosque’s Iman as he waits for ‘the Fox’ to help him travel to Spain to be reunited with his family. When the Nazis come to the mosque, Ruben is taken to hide in tunnels behind a bookshelf. Nazis come a second time and take Amar, another Jew, also in hiding, as she has blonde hair.

Next time there is danger in the mosque, Ruben, with other younger children, Momo and Hana, escape with adults Evette and Fida (who say they are working for the Fox), by walking for hours through underground sewers. They then hide in barrels on board a barge and finish up in the water. Next, they travel in a tank under a truck and are transported to a farm where a blind man, Gerard, takes them in. There they are reunited with Amar who has been rescued from the Nazis.

When Ruben is reunited in the south of France with his (wounded) sister, Rosa tells him their parents are dead, gunned down by German soldiers. It is then that Ruben also learns the true (and surprising) identity of the infamous Fox.

Beyond Belief is an exciting adventure with many twists and turns, based on true events, that offers much drama, fear, and bravery on behalf of all the adults involved in protecting the Jewish children. The children themselves show great fortitude, too, dealing with subterfuge, danger, hunger, and pain. Muslim or Jew, all are heroes who work ‘beyond (religious) belief’ to escape the German enemy.

Author Dee White not only travelled to France on a Vic Arts grant from Creative Victoria to research this story, but had assistance too from Jewish holocaust survivors, The Jewish Holocaust Centre, a Melbourne librarian, and a Muslim reader to ensure accuracy in her book. 

This well-written and fast-paced novel is a part of the ‘Heroes of the Holocaust’ series for children.

The White Mouse – The Story of Nancy Wake

The White Mouse – The Story of Nancy Wake by Peter Gouldthorpe (Omnibus Books)

HB RRP $26.99

ISBN 978-1-74299-091-0

Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Nancy Wake was a brave, resourceful and heroic woman. An Australian journalist, she played a large part in the French Resistance during World War II. Dubbed The White Mouse by the Gestapo, she played a large part in freeing imprisoned Allies and helped many of them, along with Jewish refugees, escape over the Pyrenees to freedom with little thought for her own safety. Even after she escaped Paris, she joined the secret Special Operations Executive in England, training with them until she was ready to parachute back into France to continue her work with the resistance.

This is not a picture book for younger readers, but is an enjoyable and accessible way for middle grade and lower high school aged children to learn about history and the resistance fighters in the war. Having the Australian connections makes it even more relevant for Australian students and the study of Australian women in World War II, which is part of the new history curriculum.

The appealing layout of the book includes a map, images of the war – some in colour and some as sepia postcards – and text, printed on yellowing notepaper - it looks as if it has been torn from a journalist’s notepad.

Sticking to facts, this story is full of fast paced action - parachuting behind enemy lines, blowing up bridges and smuggling refugees across borders.

Nancy Wake was a true heroine, becoming the most decorated Australian woman of World War II and this is a fabulous and engaging book about her exploits.

Soon

Soon by Morris Gleitzman (Penguin Viking)

PB RRP $19.99

ISBN 9780607078875

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Soon continues the story of Felix whose story has been related in a series of books, Once, Then, Now and After which follow the Jewish boy’s experiences of World War 11. These novels have won numerous awards for the Australian author and are pitched at readers in upper primary and early high school.

Like the earlier books about Felix, Gleitzman writes in first person present tense which helps to contribute to the danger and immediacy experienced by the thirteen-year-old boy who lives in Nazi-occupied Poland post war. In this novel, Felix is living in a hidden shelter with an alcoholic adult, Gabriek, who has numerous rules for survival. Felix has fallen foul of Gogal, a gang of murderous men who roam the streets in trucks so the boy is always on the look-out for them – and, at one stage, is captured by the them.

Felix has numerous escapades in his search for food in the bombed city in which he lives. He is befriended by Anya, (a girl who originally holds a gun to his head) and finds himself responsible for the life of a small baby. Anya introduces Felix to a kind doctor who is in charge of an orphanage and who encourages the boy in his quest to become a doctor, too. He lets Felix loose in his library which is a blessing to the boy who loves reading.

Every chapter in the book starts with the word ‘Soon’ after which follows a fast-paced exploit (or series of exploits), usually with a cliff-hanger ending. Gleitzman writes in a clipped fashion with words that an average reader can understand. His main character is likable, quirky and real. One can see why his books are popular. Here is an example of the book’s text:

‘Lights. Voices. Rough hands on me.

I open my eyes.

And yell.

It’s not a dream.

A burning torch, blinding. My clothes undone. Men standing over me, three or four, pointing, faces twisted with hatred, shouting.’

The book is filled with dangerous events like this, with the text gripping and written in staccato, like a person trying to quickly gulp in air in order to survive. In the book’s postscript, Gleitzman says that Felix’s stories come from his imagination but are based on his readings of many books about ‘people who lived and struggled and loved and faced death in that terrible time.’

To find out if Felix survives, it is recommended that one read this book.

In Mortal Danger

In Mortal Danger by Lorraine Campbell (Palmer Higgs)

PB RRP $ 24.95

ISBN 9780992549343

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

In Mortal Danger, the sequel to the outstanding Resisting the Enemy turns the focus from Valli and her dangerous Resistance activities, to the other main character of the story, the attractive, aloof Colonel Maximilian Von Stahlmann, billeted in Valli’s grandmother’s villa. We learn about his life as a soldier and the battles he has taken part in, what he has seen, and how it has influenced his beliefs and actions. The kind of man he has become inside due to his experiences isn’t the stiff, robotic Colonel others see him as. Although he is a German soldier under orders, he has principles he lives by, a mind of his own, honour, and the courage of his convictions.

Valli is finding it hard to fight the attraction she feels towards Von Stahlmann, who in turn, can no longer contain his feelings toward her. She is filled with self-loathing at her longing for the enemy. Nevertheless, their passion is ignited. Valli is destroyed when she learns he is married. Now her hatred toward him is justified and absolute.

When her best friend Margie, a French Jew, is betrayed and arrested, and ordered to the internment camp, Valli goes to extraordinary measures to secure her release. But there are others in mortal danger, not just Margie. The two children she saved from the streets are also at risk. Will a conflict of interests handicap Valli’s plea for help from Von Stahlmann, or will he stay true to his real self? Furthermore, does love have a place in a world full of turmoil and death?

A fantastic conclusion to an excellent two-book series set in the turbulent years of WW2 for the 16+ age group. As with the first book, there is mystery, suspense, adventure, love and passion, and a riveting story that moves between Australia and France.

Resisting the Enemy

Resisting the Enemy by Lorraine Campbell (Palmer Higgs)

PB RRP $24.95

ISBN 9780992549329

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Valli, an intelligent and multi-talented young woman, has lost her brother in a road accident and her parents in a bomb blast in London. The Germans have invaded France and she is living with her grandmother in her villa. She has secretly joined a Resistance group, passionate about helping her country in any way she can.

When a young German officer is billeted at their home, she has much to fear. If she is discovered the by the Gestapo her life will be forfeited.

But there is a traitor in their ranks. Valli will do whatever it takes to discover who it is. Can she make it in time to stop her best friend from walking into a trap set by the Gestapo?

This is Lorraine Campbell’s first YA historical novel and what a good job she’s done with it. With themes of friendship and sacrifice, espionage and deceit, I became totally immersed. As the novel progressed past the back story, it increased in pace so there was no way I was putting it down. A storyline full of danger and mystery, challenges and romance, this exciting adventure is set just before and during WW2. It moves between Australia and France, with something new taking place all the time. Underlying currents of other happenings add to the tension that’s always present in Valli’s life. Discussions between the characters about classical music and opera, and the classics, are scintillating.

It is a well-researched and riveting read, and the first of a two-book series for the 16+ age group.

Infinity Ring book 6: Behind Enemy Lines

Infinity Ring book 6: Behind Enemy Lines by Jennifer A. Nielsen (Scholastic Inc)
HB RRP $14.99
ISBN 978-0-545–38701-9
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Dak, Sera and Riq are this time transported to Scotland 1943, right in the middle of World War II. They will need to get close to the enemy, the Nazi Party and Hitler, to convince them that (false) papers recovered from a dead British airman are credible. If this allied plot fails, Hitler, and the SQ will win the war, again.   

But Hitler is not the only evil these time travellers are up against. Tilda reappears and she has her heart, and future, set on destroying the trio. Their Square breaks, Dak has his first remnants (an unsettling and often physically painful feeling that something is missing), and for the first time, all three children must run solo missions. They are split, in three different countries, with no guarantee of re-uniting.

Behind Enemy Lines is the sixth book in a time travelling, multi-platformed adventure series, Infinity Ring. Each book is written by a different author and continues the adventure undertaken by three children in an effort to save the world. There is a top secret clue, hidden inside the cover of the book, which may be opened at the conclusion of the story. This clue gives access to a new adventure awaiting the reader on www.infinityring.com.

This fast paced, time travelling adventure series is a good one for eight to fourteen year olds.