The Secret Room

When the Nazi troops invade Holland, Annie will find out how strong and brave she really is.

Grade 4-7-Rebellious, outspoken Annie Van Vries, a minister's daughter in Holland, is constantly being asked why she can't be more like her older sister, Siri. However, she is uninterested in developing traditional female interests. When the Nazis invade Holland and occupy her small town, the spirited child is quick to defend her Jewish friends and to protest Nazi restrictions. After her best friend and her family are sent to a concentration camp, Annie is left with the echo of Leah's final words, "your memories are always with you." When she discovers that her father is a member of the Resistance and is sheltering a Jewish family in the church, Annie eagerly joins in helping them. An even greater surprise is that Siri has fallen in love with a Jewish boy. After their father's arrest by the Nazis, Annie learns a powerful lesson about her own inner strength and her capacity to sustain her family, and she serves as guardian of the hidden family. The black-and-white illustrations add nothing to the story, and the heavy-handed use of exclamation points is irritating. Still, Annie is a sympathetic character with whom youngsters, particularly reluctant readers, will identify. A sensitive, fast-paced story.
Patricia B. McGee, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
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