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Hidden

a Child's Story of the Holocaust
Aug 05, 2018LPL_MattL rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Hidden is a poignant graphic-novel for young readers that begins as a grandmother, (Dounia), tells her granddaughter the story of her survival during the Holocaust. This book effectively conveys the fear and confusion of young Dounia as she experiences escalating acts of persecution and violence in Nazi-occupied France. One night her family's apartment is raided and Dounia's parents are taken away while she is carefully hidden away in a clothing bureau. Dounia is rescued by an apartment neighbor and smuggled to the countryside and must deal with the uncertainty and grief caused by the abduction of her parents. I believe that Hidden is an excellent resource for young readers to begin a conversation about Holocaust history and it consequences. The artwork is simple and has a picture-book quality, but doesn't distract from the seriousness of the subject matter. The story is gut-wrenching and illustrates the scope of the Holocaust by telling a personal story that connects with the reader. This is great example of using the graphic-novel format as learning tool—it teaches about the effects of war, especially on children and may inspire kids to speak out against racism and injustice.