Description
The story is about a young boy named Jan who lives in Holland during World War II. As the war progresses, Jan experiences many changes, including the loss of important things like friends, trust, and basic necessities like clothing and food. Despite the challenges, Jan continues to find ways to play and enjoy his childhood, but also has to help protect his family and find refuge as they are forced to flee from the enemy. The story is based on the author's own experiences and offers a unique perspective on the impact of war on a young boy's life.
The war was changing everything and everyone ... When Jan is seven, Nazis attack and take over Holland. At first, not much changes. Soon, though, war starts taking things away: important things like neighbours and friends, trust and respect, even clothing, fuel, and food. Through it all, Jan is still a boy, finding ways to play with friends and paddle his sailing canoe in the canals. But he must also filch food and help protect his father s guests from the enemy. Then the enemy takes his father away. Jan and his mother are on the run. They dodge bombs, sleep in haystacks, work for their food ... all the while desperately searching for refuge and hoping for normal life and Pa to someday, somehow, return. An exciting, touching true story of the Second World War, told by the Dutch Canadian who lived it.
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