Harboring Hope: The True Story of How Henny Sinding Helped Denmark's Jews Escape the Nazis cover

Harboring Hope: The True Story of How Henny Sinding Helped Denmark's Jews Escape the Nazis

Author: Hood, Susan

Reading Metrics

Grade Level Middle Grades Plus (MG+ 6 and up)
Book Level 6.8
Points 5.0
Fiction/Nonfiction Nonfiction
Word Count 29059
Points per Word 0.000172
Page Count 400
Points per Page 0.0125

Description

This is the inspirational story of how 22-year-old Henny Sinding courageously helped smuggle hundreds of Jewish families in occupied Denmark to safety in Sweden during the Holocaust. Text contains racism and violence.

Quick Summary

Harboring Hope tells the real-life tale of Henny Sinding, a 22-year-old Danish woman who, during the Nazi occupation, helped smuggle hundreds of Jewish families across the water to safety in Sweden. If you love stories about ordinary people doing extraordinary things especially in the face of real danger this one will keep you turning pages because the stakes feel personal and the courage is infectious. Middle-grade readers who enjoy history, World War II intrigue, or books like Number the Stars will find the mix of tension, hope, and a true-to-life hero especially gripping. Parents should know the book doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of racism and violence, but it does so in a way that's appropriate for a MG+ audience and always points toward the power of compassion. The narrative moves quickly, mixing vivid details of secret boats, night-time escapes, and the daily risk Henny takes, which makes the story feel more like an adventure than a textbook. All in all, it's a quick, inspiring read that shows how one person's bravery can change the fate of many.