Wartime Holland. Who can you trust? Deep in the Veluwe woods lies a secret that frustrates the Germans. Convinced that Jews are hiding close by they can find no proof.The secret is Berkenhout, a purpose-built village of huts sheltering dozens of persecuted people. Young tearaway Jan roams the woods looking for adventure and fallen pilots. His dream comes true when he stumbles across an American … stumbles across an American airman, Donald C. McDonald. But keeping him hidden sets off a disastrous chain of events.
Sofie, a Jewish Dutch girl, struggles to adapt to living in Berkenhout, away from her family and friends. As weeks turn to months, she’s worried they’ll abandon her altogether.
Henk Hauer, head woodman, is in charge of building the underground huts and ensuring the Berkenhout inhabitants stay safe.
But many grow suspicious of his liaisons with the Germans. Is he passing on secret information that could endanger lives?
All it takes is one small fatal slip to change the course of all their lives for ever.
Review, May 2018:
“It’s a cracking book, gripping, sensitive heartfelt and excruciating all at the same time. I’ve already recommended it to loads of people. It’s a wonderful story as well and the characters are so human. You do a wonderful job of not making them ‘war caricatures’ that so often happens in literature set in that time, but they all come across as believable humans, with flawed personalities caught in personal as well as political turmoil. Although it’s a book set in war-time, it’s more a book about people and their relationships struggling in a given situation; the war is the backdrop. Which is as it should be. Human stories first. I’ll be sad to finish it!” – Liam Gerrard, BAFTA-nominated actor.
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We can never forget this history!
If you enjoy historical novels, you will love this book. Set in WWII in the Netherlands, a town bands together to create a village in the woods to hide Jews from the Germans.
I love books based on true events! This is a really good book.
Good read short and fast paced held my attention
Very informative, interesting to note Holland’s WWII involvement and help shielding the Jews and children. Good book would highly recommend.
This was an interesting book. It covered time in WWII during the German occupation. Many things I never thought about.
Loved the historical aspect of the book.
One of the best books I have read. Fast paced, page Turner, historical novel.
Loved this book, from beginning to end…so enjoyed the characters and their lives during this period in history…can not speak to the historical accuracy of the book, but the story line is wonderfully awesome.
This is a novel based on actual place in the Netherlands during WWII. Very realistic story told from the viewpoint of a child. The tragedy and hardships of the war are overcome in this small town.
A glimpse of something that happened during WW II in an effort to save Jewish people. A scary time. A good read.
A fascinating look at a part of World War II that just isn’t taught in schools.
Based on a true story, the story of survival, loss, faith, and hope brings the devastation of war to reality. This book gave new insight into the cruelty and also strength and unity that comes about in war.
Well written and very interesting. I hope to see more from this author.
Told a part of WW2 that was new to me so I and was eager to learn more about the village in the woods.
From cover to cover, this well written story held my interest. I even looked for other books by this author.
Good book about something that happened in history but not a lot is written about. Although fiction was very interesting
Very informative regarding the Dutch during WWII.
If you like WWII history you will like this. Be sure and read…..I was in college at this time but later I was in Holland and saw the huge caves where the Dutch hid people that needed help. GREAT Read
This was a part of WWII that I didn’t know about. It was fascinating! The characters were endearing and the location was historic. I am very glad to learn of this piece of Dutch history.
Based on a true story, The Hidden Village focuses on the roles of young people, including children in the resistance to Nazi occupation. About children it is written in a language that children can understand while still being interesting to adults.
very slow and did not hold my interest