For my nonfiction unit, my team and I teach the book, Number the Stars. The whole time I was reading Hunger Winter, I knew that I wanted to incorporate it into this unit. It is a great story about how another family faced the war on their journey to resist the Nazi army. I think it would be so powerful to compare and contrast the Dutch versus the Danish Resistance. It will help students realize the extent of the Nazi reign and how much this war impacted the entire globe.

This is an exciting look back at a time in history when life was hard for everyone–the period of the Hongerwinter, the Dutch famine of 1944-1945 during the time the Netherlands was occupied by Germany, at the end of World War II. I have to admit I did not know much about this part of the war before reading this book, and it has spurred my interest to learn more.

Told from the points of view of Dirk, a 13-year-old boy who is trying to find his way to safety with his young sister, Anna, and his older sister Els, who is part of the Resistance and has been captured by the Gestapo, Hunter Winter, shares a snapshot of the dangers and difficulties that people were facing during this time. It’s written simply so a child could understand, but is full of suspense at the same time and kept this grandmother on the edge of her seat wondering how these children would be able to survive…. to the extent that I finished the book in one sitting.

There is a Christian message throughout the book; not heavy-handed but enough to show where this family gets its strength. One of the many pieces of advice Dirk’s father had shared with him was “Keep your hopes up and your prayers strong,” and it definitely helped him as he struggled to keep his sister safe.

I highly recommend this book to families with children 10 and up. It might be a little much for younger kids, but it’s important that our children learn about times like these so hopefully they’ll know enough to keep history from repeating itself. There are some violent moments, but this was a violent time, so to leave those elements out would have been doing the readers a disservice.

The author has obviously put a lot of research into this time period and, until I reached the end of the book and discovered the characters were fictional, I would have sworn the author was telling a story torn out of his own family’s history–the characters were that real to me. Good job, sir.

It's 1944 and the Gestapo would like nothing more than to capture Dutch resistance leader Hans Ingelse. So far, Ingelse has managed to avoid capture and continue his resistance activities. But, since his wife had died two months earlier, the Gestapo now have his three children in their sights. In the middle of the night, on November 11th, a neighbor risks his life to let 13-year-old Dirk Ingelse know that the Gestapo has arrested his older sister Els for her resistance activity, and now, they are on their way to the Ingelse home in Oosterbeek for Dirk and his 6-year-old sister Anna.

Luckily, papa had already begun to teach Dirk what to do in certain situations to avoid capture. Dirk wastes no time getting Anna up and out to begin the trek to their Tante Cora's house in Doorwerth, taking what little food they had. Meanwhile, Els is being held in an interrogation center in downtown Oosterbeek, and it doesn't take long for the torture to begin. The Gestapo is sure Els will break and tell them where her papa is, but she's stronger and more determined than they realize.

Dirk and Anna safely reach Tante Cora's the next day, and feel somewhat safe there, but hungry, since all food is confiscated by the Nazis. And they must still be cautious now that they are in danger of being picked up by the Gestapo. Instead, Dirk and Anna get picked up in a Nazi razzia, a roundup of any able-bodied person to work in munition factories. There, a sergeant decides to give Anna to a friend who had recently lost his daughter, as a replacement. Hearing that, Dirk is determined to escape, but how? The factory is so well guarded. Luckily, on November 22nd, the Allies begin to bomb that part of Holland. As the guards take cover, a bomb hits, giving Dirk and Anna an opportunity to escape - right into a minefield. But, Dirk figures out the path through the field and soon they are on their way to Oma and Opa's farm in Nijmegen. But, before they get there, Anna sprains her ankle, and they need to stop at a farmhouse near Driel. There, they are met by a elderly couple, and a Nazi officer holding them at gunpoint. He claims he wants to turn himself over to the Americans in Nijmegen, but is this just another trick to catch their papa?

Meanwhile, the Gestapo still hasn't gotten Els to talk, so they decide to amp up the torture, transferring her to a Luftwaffe base in Rotterdam on November 26th, just before the Allies dropped bombs on that city.

Will the Ingelse family survive capture and be reunited with papa, if he is even still alive? Now that the Americans have liberated Nijmegen and are pushing forward, the Nazis seem to be getting more and more desperate to capture Hans Ingelse, refusing to acknowledge that the German Reich might actually be losing the war.

Hunger Winter is certainly an action-packed novel, with very appealing characters that readers can root for (well, truth be told, I found Anna very annoying). Personally, I would have liked a little more about Els, who is my favorite character. There's also a bit of mystery surrounding what has become of the children's father, and that isn't revealed until the end, and it quite a revelation, but readers never really get to know him.

I thought Currie really captured the starvation of the Dutch people due to the lack of food during the winter of 1944-1945. Tante Cora has Dirk dig up the bulbs in the garden for soup, there is a hint about the fate of her stolen dog that might not be caught by younger readers, trading valuables with farmers for food only to have it taken by the Nazis, and of course, collaborating with the Nazis for extra rations.

It did bother me that the Nazi officer Dirk and Anna meet at the farmhouse on their way to Oma and Opa's turns out to be someone their father went to school with. That was just more coincidence than my adult sensibility could accept, but probably not for my nine-year-old self, so I don't think younger middle grade readers will have a problem with it, either.

Back matter includes a section called What Really Happened?, an interview with the author, Rob Currie, Discussion Questions for teachers, and Key World War II Dates for the Netherlands, as well as maps. I read an ARC, with included everything but the maps.

Hunger Winter is a nice work of historical fiction and not many take place in the Netherlands for this age group. If I were teaching a WWII unit, I would pair it with Hilda van Stockum's The Winged Watchman, originally published in 1962, as a nice resistance compare and contrast component.

This book is recommended for readers age 8+
This book was an EARC gratefully received from NetGalley

How much tragedy can one family face during WWII? Dirk is a thirteen-year-old boy who is left to take care of his six-year-old sister, Anna. Their father has left them to help the Dutch Resistance fight the Nazis. Dirk and Anna set out on a journey across the war-torn Netherlands to search for their father and older sister, Else.
I have read several adult WWII historical fiction books. I was surprised at how much I really enjoyed this book. I think this book is unlike other WWII books, because it tells the story of children. Hunger Winter was well written and kept you on the edge of your seat throughout its entirety. Each time I read a section, I wanted to keep reading until I got to a part where I knew Dirk and Anna were safe. I loved how the author was able to write a historical fiction thriller that is also appropriate for middle grade readers. This book is great for kids and adults who enjoy historical fiction.

When 13 year old Dirk receives word that his older sister has been arrested, he flees with his younger sister Anna. Together they face arrest, escape, hunger, and German soldiers. This was a well written, engaging middle school book. The care Dirk showed for his sister was inspiring, and a good lesson for that age group. Overall, highly recommended.

My fifth grade library patrons will be thrilled to see another WWII historical fiction novel on our library shelves and I am happy to add one that carries the family's motto of hope throughout the entire book: "Keep your hopes high and your prayer strong!" Dutch Resistance fighter Hans is missing and his wife has passed away, leaving older sister Els, middle son Dirk, and 6 year old Anna on their own in the Netherlands during the Nazi occupation. When Els is captured by the Gestapo, Dirk is determined to protect Anna and get them both to Oma and Opa's house in another town. Author Rob Currie alternates between Els' struggle to keep her father's secrets from first the Gestapo and then the Luftwaffe and the torture she endures and the harrowing journey experienced by Dirk and Anna as they traverse occupied territory. The family is fictional, but their experiences are not and readers will come away with greater knowledge of the Hunger Winter of 1944 and what the Dutch suffered before being liberated in 1945. Back matter included is informative and while my ARC did not contain a map, I understand that the final edition contains a map that allows the reader to trace Dirk and Anna's travels. The level of violence in this book is appropriate for the target audience of grades 4-6 without sugarcoating the events. There is no profanity nor sexual content. Hans Ingelse's family identify as Christians and Anna tells her father of prayers to Jesus, but there is no proselytizing, only a message of hope amidst horror. Highly recommended. Thanks for the dARC, NetGalley.

While many know of the German Occupation of the Netherlands during WWII due to Anne Frank’s capture in the summer of 1944, fewer know of the Dutch famine the following winter. In Hunger Winter, Rob Currie explores this topic through the story of thirteen year old Dirk who suddenly finds himself on the odyssey of a lifetime. When his older sister is captured by the Germans and his father is nowhere to be found, Dirk must take his younger sister across the Netherlands to find safety and try to recover their family.

While some of the fighting scenes can be clunky, the novel moves quickly and is full of excitement. Dirk is constantly forced to make difficult choices that will have the reader eager to see him and his sister survive. Currie also employs the use of Dutch idioms that English speakers will likely find humorous and delightful. The novel has a strong focus on prayer and Christianity. It is an aspect not uncommon for the Netherlands in the ‘40s, but one that will appeal to religious parents in modern times.

Overall, Currie takes a topic that is perhaps unknown to school aged children, and displays the troubles and tribulations suffered throughout the German Occupation while also engaging with a younger audience. This novel should easily appeal to adventure seekers in grades second to fifth, and will prominently interest those with a fascination of WWII and quick plots with a strong family dynamic.

Dirk Ingelese knows that he has to do everything he can to survive in order to protect his little sister Anna from the moffen ( Nazis) . They travel across the Netherlands to find their father and older sister w, members of the underground Dutch resistance with the hope of being reunited as a family once again. In light of his circumstances, Dirk had to grow up pretty fast and was kept afloat with his father's teachings.

It was interesting to learn about the <I> Hongerwinter</i> (literal: Hunger Winter) period during the German-occupation of the Netherlands since it is one of the WWII legacies that isn't highlighted very often I read in disbelief about the Dutch collaborators and the roles that they played in betraying their fellow countryman but at the same time was sympathetic to their situation. Overall, this was an interesting read, though it would have been better with "more show and less tell".

I requested and received an e-ARC of this book from NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book! Dirk is so resourceful, and I love his interactions with Anna he is so caring and patient. I love the amount of research the author did on World War II and that he includes real events within his fictional story. Just a great read, I couldn't put it down!

#HungerWinter #NetGalley

The story of a courageous boy and his family as they fight for freedom, in the Nazi occupied Netherlands during WWII. When Dirk and Anna's older sister is arrested, Dirk and Anna set off on a dangerous journey, facing kidnapping, betrayal, and coming face to face with the enemy multiple times.



Will their fractured family ever see each other again?



An action packed historical read targeted at middle grade readers about the Hunger Winter and the struggles that the Dutch faced during Nazi occupied Netherlands.



Dirk is a brave young man, he is very responsible and his quick thinking keep himself and his sister safe. Anna is a sweet little girl, with a straightforward innocence and trust, with a child-like faith that reminds those around her about what is important.



I liked how the book also follows Dirk and Anna's sister, Els showing her strength and resilience against the odds.



I will mention that there was gun use and violence, but I think that it is fitting for this book as it depicts a very tumultuous time in history, and made the story more realistic.



An action packed read, filled with daring, family and hope. I liked how the book did a good job of showing the danger that the children faced as well as the humanity of the people affected. It was a quick read, written for a younger target audience, and while there was a lot going on, I did find myself skimming here and there. But I do think that this is a good, wholesome read, with good themes of discernment, family and faith.



I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishing for providing me with a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

After his older sister, Els, is captured by the Gestapo, Dirk is forced to run or risk being captured. But he isn’t alone; he has his 6 year old sister that he must keep safe as well. With his mother dead and his father nowhere to be found Dirk must avoid the Nazi’s and get to a safe place. As food becomes more and more scarce hiding from the Nazi’s becomes only one of Dirk’s concerns.

I really wanted to enjoy this book. I thought it would be a great addition to our middle school library collection. Our students enjoy historical fiction stories during this time period. However, there were several things I couldn’t connect with within the story. I struggled with some of the plot twists and action sequences. They felt forced and crudely unrealistic. Although I was hoping this would be good for our middle schoolers, the writing felt very juvenile, it read more like an elementary chapter book than a middle school novel.

This isn’t a book that I would recommend for a middle or high school age group. However, I do believe it would be a good addition for an elementary age student. The plot is simplistic and gives enough action to stay engaged. Plus, the author’s note gives a nice historical perspective during this particular time period. Recommend.

Educational YA story of the German occupation of the Netherlands during World War II.

Thirteen-year-old Dirk has been charged with taking care of his younger sister Anna since his papa left to aid the Dutch resistance against the German Occupation. His mother died one night shortly after his father left and now his older sister Els has been captured by the Gestapo and likely tortured to learn the whereabouts of their father. When their neighbor comes in the night to warn Dirk about Els capture, he takes his younger sister and sets off to make it to their Aunts house in a nearby town. Along the way, Dirk and Anna face many uncertain challenges including informers, work camps, and deserting German officers. Dirk must rely on everything he learned from his father about staying alive as well as his wits if he is going to keep Anna safe.

I love getting new material that educates readers on lesser known areas about World War II. Sadly, I must admit that the most knowledge I have of the Netherlands during this time period comes from The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank. So, I was pleased to learn more about the occupation and the meaning behind Hunger Winter. I’m very happy that there are becoming more young adult novels that are educating our young about the past so that maybe we can avoid repeating it in the future!

Dirk was a protagonist that I enjoyed watch come of age. He had a lot thrust upon him at only thirteen years old and took up that challenge without complaining. He become well educated about what was going on around him but still managed to maintain some adolescent innocence. Els was a very strong spirited character and someone that I continually wanted to see escape. She was also very smart to catch her captors trying to trick her into revealing information.

I’ve started to build up quite a collection of YA novels from this time period and my nine-year-old son has begun to really become interested in them. This will definitely be added to the shelf!

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

I enjoy books of this genre, and this one sounded a bit different from others I've read, as the main character is a thirteen-year-old boy. Based on the cover and description, I'd assumed this book to be middle-grade fiction, but I'm not sure that's the case. The way the story is written seems like it's more for elementary students, perhaps in 3rd-6th grade.

I had a hard time connecting with the characters and story line. There was a lot of telling, which caused me to feel even more distanced from the action and characters. I did enjoy the author's interview at the end of the book, but the story overall was just okay. However, as I haven't seen a lot of World War II books geared toward elementary-age students (and possibly middle grade), this book could be of interest to them. I'm not sure adults are the target audience for this one.

This was a really good addition to the Middle Grade Historical Fiction genre, of which there are sadly not nearly enough. I feel that the historical research was clearly well done, and that it shows enough of the real horrors the Netherlands faced during WWII to be honest, but not enough that I would be worried about letting a mature pre-teen read this book. I think it would bring up some really good conversational topics, and is short enough that a parent/guardian could read it beforehand to have some topics in mind.

As an adult reader, I wouldn't say that it held enough to recommend it other adults - although there are some wonderful MG Hist Fics that do transcend the MG to Adult gap, one of them being The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.

Thank you to NetGalley & Tyndale Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.

I was spell bound from the start of this captivating, emotionally charged, page-turning, debut novel.
“BAM! BAM! BAM!
“Dirk Ingeles’s eyes flew open…Who could be knocking on the front door? Gestapo? His insides turned to ice.”

It’s a distressing story tangled in a web of sorrows, unforeseen events, yet filled with hope, faith and a unimaginable bravery these young ones have while facing their fears and head to the goal of reuniting their family, as the enemy seeks to arrest them. Nazi’s were handing out extra food and things to those who would spy on their neighbors? Who to trust?

I was astounded at the bravery of these children and how Dirk’s father trained him and his older sister Els how to deal with the enemy, how to fight, run, hide and if captured what not to say. Dirk was only 13 when he was pushed out into the dangerous streets to fend for him and his 6-year-old little sister with a small bag of food and a few things for their journey. It wasn’t safe for them at his aunt’s house anymore. The Gestapo sought to snatch them up so they could use them to pry out their father’s secrets he held close to his chest.

You never know what you are capable of until the rubber meets the road. I was amazed at the courage and determination these kids had in the hope of being reunited again. I enjoyed how the kids kept saying and reminding themselves of what their father told them. …”Keep your hopes up and your prayers strong.”

“Sometimes you have to take a chance because it’s the only chance you have.”

“Papa smiled. “…We love the cross because it’s a sign that even when things get really bad, Christ loves us and he’s coming back.”

This is an incredible story based on true events the author notes in the back of the book along with an insightful author interview and discussion questions that will help with your book club discussion. I highly recommend this as a book club pick. Although this was written for the YA audience anyone would enjoy this story. This is a novel is keeper and this author is one to watch.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com

HUNGER WINTER by ROB CURRIE is a World War II novel, showing how a brave family manages to survive in Nazi occupied Holland. The events described in the book are true to what actually happened at the time, although it a work of fiction with fictional characters.
With the death of his mother, the disappearance of his father and capture of his older sister, Els, Dirk Ingelse is left to keep his little sister, Anna, safe. The story is fast-paced and really gripping and teaches us a lot about human nature, both the good and the bad.
Hans Ingelse is a hero in the Dutch Resistance, and the Germans are desperate to find him. He is in hiding to keep his family safe. I like the way Dirk, at the age of thirteen, develops into the man of the family, and also how he hangs on tightly to the things his father has taught him. I also like little Anna's childlike faith and the way she gives herself the credit when she tells stories about what she and Dirk have been through!
It is a story of tremendous courage and faith in God, and is truly inspirational.
Although it is written mainly for children and teenagers, I can highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys World War II stories.
I was given an ARC of the book by Tyndale House Publishers from NetGalley. The opinions in this review are completely my own.