This story begins in Amsterdam as the Nazis begin to occupy Holland. Life as it once was for this city will never be the same again especially for the two families portrayed here.
Ww first meet two young girls of separate families as they walk home from school. One girl is Christian, the other Jewish and they have always been the very best of friends. When they are questioned by two Nazi soldiers they are reluctant to tell their parents for fear they will worry. But also fearing what might happen to all of them, they eventually describe the incident to them. The parents, fully realizing that the situation is getting worse and worse for Jews and other minority groups, begin to make plans to insure the the safety of the Jewish family. Not only will these plans and decisions test their friendships but will alter the course of their lives.

Written primarily for children, this is a wonderful book which succeeds in presenting primarily school age children with some of thr ramifications of World War II and the plight of those persectuted by the Nazis. It also describes to readers at any age the role of courage and acts of extraordinary kindness during these dark days of the Nazi Occupation and World War II. By describing the plight of two families from Amsterdam, the reader is caught up in these tumultuous times and feels as though they are living next door to these people. While many books, both fiction and non-fiction have been written about this period in history and for all age groups, Lowry first presents the subject matter in a calm manner but one where emotions mount as one turns the pages. And certainly the book allows us a glimpse of how ordinary people risked their own lives to save others. As I closed the book I prayed for the safety of both families as if this was happening today. I do hope that they were reunited and finally the Jewish star could be returned to its rightful owner.