Masters of Silence

February 1, 2019

Gr 4-7-When Helen and Henry's mother leaves them at a convent in Nazi-occupied France, they have no idea what to expect, or if they will ever see their parents again. The nuns at the convent expect them to learn Catholic rituals and prayers and assume new, non-Jewish names in order to pretend that they are Catholic orphans. Fourteen-year-old Helen works hard to stay out of trouble, but her younger brother Henry struggles to fit in, refusing to talk to anyone, even his older sister. Their life in the convent is largely filled with hard work and fear about the future until a remarkable silent "clown" named Marcel Marceau arrives to entertain them. Henry is especially captivated by the man's magical routines, staying behind after each performance to learn some of his miming techniques. These techniques become the key to Helen and Henry's survival when Marcel Marceau leads them on a grueling, harrowing journey to cross the border to safety in Switzerland. This gripping series title captures the uncertainty and tragedy of life for Jewish families and their allies during the Nazi occupation of France. The alternating perspectives throughout the book allow readers to understand both Henry's silence and Helen's frustration, even when the characters don't understand each other. The novel is interwoven with the remarkable true story of Marcel Marceau, who helped save the lives of hundreds of children before becoming a world-famous mime. The story ends with the characters' successful escape across the border but leaves readers to wonder about the fate of Henry and Helen's parents. VERDICT This well-crafted novel with its compelling, sympathetic characters is an excellent addition to most school and public library historical fiction collections.-Ashley Larsen, Pacifica Libraries, CA

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 15, 2019
Helen and Henry are among a group of Jewish children hidden in a convent in southern France in Kacer's second entry in her Heroes Quartet after The Sound of Freedom (2018).They are both deeply affected by the abrupt and frightening changes in their lives, Henry so much so that he cannot speak at all, even to Helen. They must immerse themselves in convent life, attending church services and even taking new French identities. Helen is able to make friends, but Henry remains silent, spending his time writing in a journal that could, if discovered, place them all in jeopardy. The children's only respite comes from visits and performances by the mime Marcel Marceau. But "the clown," as the children call him, has a much more important role; he has helped many Jewish children escape by providing perfectly forged documents and pretending to be a Scoutmaster leading hikes to spirit them to the Swiss border. When the Nazis arrest one of the nuns, the clown takes Henry, Helen, and another child on that hike. Henry and Helen's tale is told in alternating third-person chapters, letting readers feel their sadness, fears, and longings. Marceau's heroic role in the war has been documented, and it is seamlessly woven into the story. (A biographical note is appended.) As the Holocaust passes further into history, it is imperative that it be remembered.Both a harrowing, gut-wrenching tale and a heartfelt homage to a quiet hero. (Historical fiction. 10-14)

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