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Description
When the Nazi forces invade Poland and bomb his home, Rudi finds out that he is Hitler's enemy, not only because he is a Pole, but also because he is a Jew and a Christian.
Quick Summary
Rudi's world shatters when Nazi bombs drop on his Polish town, and he quickly learns that his mixed heritage as both a Jewish and Christian boy makes him a target. The story is really about the promise his father makes to keep him safe, and how that promise pushes Rudi into a dangerous game of hide-and-seek with the occupying forces while he wrestles with who he really is. It's a gut-wrenching but ultimately uplifting read for anyone who likes history that feels personal, especially kids who enjoy stories about ordinary people standing up to impossible odds. If you liked the mix of family loyalty and wartime danger in Lois Lowry's "Number the Stars," you'll find a similar heartbeat here. Parents should be aware that there are scenes of bombing, forced relocation, and the emotional weight of prejudice, but the book never loses its thread of hope and the power of a father's love.