During WWII, the Danes, whose nation was occupied by the Germans,
knew the British called them, "Hitler's Canary." "They say he has
us in a cage and we just sit and sing any tune he wants." But
Denmark waged active underground opposition to the conquerors and
saved most Jewish Danes from being taken into the concentration
camps. Toksvig tells the story through the eyes and actions of
Bamsie, ten years old when the story begins. He is the son of an
actress, whose talent becomes an essential part of the plot.
Because of the theatrical influence in his life, Hitler's Canary is
arranged as Act, Scene, Time, Date, Place, providing a guide from
1940 to 1943, the year the Jews escaped to Sweden. Characterization
is good enough to make each person an individual, sometimes
permitting "good" people to have faults. Details of setting and
time are fascinating, and the action is suspenseful and riveting.
Despite a few missteps (how would people who were rescuing Jews
know what is and what is not a Jewish name, for instance?), Toksvig
offers a spellbinding look at a part of history that is rarely
fictionalized. Backmatter includes the facts of Danish resistance
and Jewish rescue as well as further details on the fate of those
involved. An author's note explains what is true of her own family
history retold in the story. (Historical fiction. 10-14) (Kirkus
Reviews)
1940. Copenagen, Denmark. The German troops have invaded. A
must-read account of immense courage during the Second World War,
for children. Based on real-life events experienced by Sandi
Toksvig's family during the Nazi occupation of Denmark.
Ten-year-old Bamse Skovlund and his best friend Anton have been
ordered to stay out of trouble. It soon becomes clear that trouble
isn't just going to pass any of them by. Jewish Danes are subject
to appalling treatment by the German occupiers, and every day are
at risk of being taken away to concentration camps in mainland
Europe. The Skovlund family are determined to fight against Nazi
occupation. And if this means participating in one of history's
most dramatic rescue missions, then it's time to take a stand. A
tale of resistance in Nazi-occupied Denmark. The book is inspired
by the stories told to Sandi Toksvig by her father, Bamse. Praise
for Hitler's Canary: 'An extraordinary story... truly
life-affirming.' Michael Morpurgo 'There are not many classic
children's novels about the Second World War but this is one of
them.' The Times 'Racily written and full of comic incident as well
as suspense.' The Independent 'Brilliantly told... never loses
sight of the child's view of war.' The Guardian
General
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