Call Across the Sea

May 1, 2021

Gr 5 Up-Henny loves sailing with her father, a Danish naval captain, across the Copenhagen channel. She has been sailing with him since she was a small child; the channel is her second home. However, as Nazi Germany occupies Denmark, Henny becomes concerned for her Jewish neighbors and those who would no longer be safe in her beloved country. Upon discovering that her schoolmate Lukas is involved in resistance efforts, Henny joins the cause papering the streets with anti-Nazi flyers. However, when the Nazis' plans to remove Denmark's Jewish citizens come to light, Henny takes action. Kacer provides a wealth of information without getting bogged down in the details. Assuming the reader has a basic knowledge of World War II, she focuses on this often-overlooked region in World War II history. VERDICT This fourth book in the historical fiction series is a strong addition that can stand alone. Readers will be encouraged by Henny's bravery and may even see themselves in her story.-Maryjean Riou, Hunterdon County Lib., Flemington, NJ

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February 15, 2021
Because of the heroism of everyday Danes like Henny Sinding, almost all Danish Jews survived the Holocaust. Sixteen-year-old Henny loves sailing with her father on his missions to the lighthouse outside Copenhagen. The only thing that punctures her joy is the increasingly frequent appearance of swastikas, both in the city and even out on the water, flying from the masts of boats. The year is 1943, and the Nazi occupation of Denmark is becoming more heavy-handed. While Danish Jews have been left in peace longer than the Jews of other Nazi-occupied countries, the wind is changing. Henny no longer thinks her Jewish neighbors are safe, especially not adorable, 10-year-old Susanne, who wants to be a sailor, too. Henny risks her life to join the Danish resistance, but she despairs when she learns of the Nazis' plan to deport all the Danish Jews. All their acts of resistance have surely been meaningless. But Henny is brave and determined--and has access to a boat. Perhaps she can make a real impact after all. Loosely based on the life of a real heroine, the brief adventure packs in a thrilling escape and a heartwarming conclusion. While many details of Henny's life have been fictionalized, the cinematic climax is based on real events. Shows that hope is never lost when good people stand up. (historical note) (Historical fiction. 10-12)

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