Anna’s War by DJ Taylor
Holland, 1943:
In the last eighteen months of World War II, 14-year-old Anna’s life becomes a perilous world of secrets and danger. Her town in German-occupied southern Holland is transformed into a war zone , where trust is rare, and courage and resistance are everything.
When the Nazis begin arresting local men and deporting them to work in German factories, Anna’s father hides in a cramped, secret cellar beneath their home. Even the youngest of his children don’t know he is there.
Then Anna meets Karl, a young German translator, and his expected kindness leaves her conflicted. Against her better judgement, she is drawn to Karl and begins to believe he can be trusted – especially when he keeps her father’s hiding place a secret from Horst, the ruthless Nazi officer he translates for. But as her feelings deepen, so do the risks. One misstep could unravel everything Anna and her family have fought to protect.
Anna’s War is a gripping tale of resilience, forbidden connection, family loyalties and the growing bravery of a young girl thrust into the deep shadows of war.
Can Anna protect her family or will the cost of trust prove too great in a world torn apart?
I first met DJ (Di) Taylor at one of my book launch events in Brisbane. At that point, I was eagerly awaiting her debut YA historical fiction novel Anna’s War. A fellow Riveted Press author, Di’s story, inspired by the true history of her parents-in-law and a friend of theirs, is an impressive debut, that weaves real events and fictional characters with finesse. Di says she was shocked when her mother-in-law Catharina casually mentioned her father hiding in the cellar during the war. From here, she unravelled the events that would eventually create Anna’s War.
Anna’s voice is strong and immediately engaging, set against the backdrop of the final days of WWII in Holland. Anna is a kind and feisty young woman, who loves her family fiercely. As events force her papa into hiding in their cellar, she must lie to her siblings and friends, as well as helping her mother and grandmothers to keep their secret from the authorities, in order to keep her papa safe.
Helping in the Resistance, Anna has a burning desire to do as much as she can, taking risks that put her own life in danger. The nastiness of Horst, a Nazi officer whose presence is a constant threat to their security and lives, is unsettling, but young interpreter Karl provides Anna with a reminder that not all German soldiers are evil and that even in the darkest of hours, there is light.
Her blossoming feelings for Karl are troubling for Anna, and yet, she is drawn to him. And he proves to be someone she can trust. Or is he?
The starvation and constant threat of danger are well drawn and the reader is with Anna all the way as she tries desperately to protect her family and still be a regular teenager, enjoying time with her best friend. She is a loyal and kind-hearted person who must face up to the reality that not all human beings are kind, while still retaining her own humanity.
The moments of laughter and lightness dotted throughout the story offer pause amongst the building tension, and growing despair. Knowing these events were real, adds to the emotion and reminds us that ordinary people do extraordinary things when their lives and the lives of the ones they love are at threat.
It is startling to realise that this story is based on true experiences and that there must be many more similar tales amongst survivors of the war, many more that may never be told, if not for authors like DJ Taylor.
A perfect read for ages 12+, this book is a great addition to school libraries and classrooms, and addresses aspects of WW11 that most people will not know about. Highly recommended.
Helen