cover image Courage & Defiance: Stories of Spies, Saboteurs, and Survivors in World War II Denmark

Courage & Defiance: Stories of Spies, Saboteurs, and Survivors in World War II Denmark

Deborah Hopkinson. Scholastic Press, $17.99 (352p) ISBN 978-0-545-59220-8

Utilizing interviews and extensive documentation, Hopkinson (Titanic: Voices From the Disaster) reconstructs the stories of those who lived during%E2%80%94and fought against%E2%80%94the Nazi occupation of Denmark. In an easy-to-follow, accessible manner, she touches on a wide cast of characters as they find ways to resist and disrupt the invaders, from solo sabotage to organized rebellion. It's a compelling look at everyday heroism and acts of valor, as Hopkinson follows the exploits of men like Tommy Sneum, who gained spy footage of a German radar station in action before making an impossible escape to England by plane. The account takes a turn for the near-miraculous as Hopkinson looks at how the Danes spirited the vast majority of Denmark's Jewish population to safety before the Nazis could round them up, then dips into the tragic as she covers the conditions of the prison camps many suffered through. With numerous pictures and illustrations accompanying the text, this is a fascinating look at a little-known corner of WWII. Ages 8%E2%80%9312. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Aug.)