Author: Flory A. Van Beek

Published: 2010

Publisher: Exisle Publishing

Format: Paperback

Pages: 198

Suitable: Senior Secondary / General

Glory is just a young girl when the Germans begin their march across Europe triggering World War II. As Jews, she and her family anxiously watch events unfold, but feel hopeful that their homeland of the Netherlands will be spared. However, as danger creeps ever closer, Flory's fiancé Felix offers her a chance to escape on the SS Simon Bolivar. Tragically, the ship hits German mines and sinks.

Seriously injured, the couple spend months in England recuperating before being returned to the Netherlands - just as Germany invades. As relatives and friends begin to 'disappear', Flory and Felix fear they will share the same fate and when a patriotic Dutch family offers to hide them they realise it might be their only chance of survival. But they also know that if they are discovered it will mean death not only for them but also for their helpers.

This incredible true story of survival poignantly illustrates how even in the darkest times good people are willing to risk their own safety to save the lives of others.