Hidden: A Child’s Story of the Holocaust by Loïc Dauvillier; illustrated by Marc Lizano
Reviewed by: Dawn Dickey, Reference Assistant
Genre: Juvenile Fiction, Graphic Novel
Suggested Age: Elementary school children, teens, and adults
What is the book about?: Hidden tells the story of Parisian Dounia Cohen, a Jewish girl who was hidden from the Nazis during World War II after soldiers took Dounia’s parents to a concentration camp. Dounia poignantly tells her life story to her granddaughter, Elsa, late one night when Elsa finds Dounia crying as she looks over some old photos. Dounia sadly tells about the growing hatred toward the Jews during the Nazi occupation of France until finally, one night, soldiers come to take away Dounia’s parents. Her parents hide Dounia in the bottom of a wardrobe, making Dounia promise not to make a sound. A neighbor later rescues Dounia, and they escape into hiding at a farm in the country.
My Review: Author Dauvillier tells the story in simple words so that children can understand Dounia’s humiliation and fear, as well as the strong sense of loss she feels without her parents. Through detailed drawings and a color palette that draws the reader into the story, illustrator Lizano expertly reinforces the emotions felt by the story’s characters. Both text and illustrations clearly relate to the reader the cruelty that Dounia experiences but – since the book is meant for a juvenile audience – the reader is not overwhelmed by the totality of the horror of the Holocaust.
Rating: 5/5
About FDL Reads
Welcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library. Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available. If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently. We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!