Description
Tulips for Breakfast is set in Amsterdam during the Second World War, from the arrival of the German army to liberation.
For much of this time, Adelena lives in hiding in the home of her music teacher. Her Jewish parents, who fled pre-war Germany with Adelena, have left her in the care of someone else in the belief their only child's chances of survival are greatest if she can remain in hiding for as long as it takes to be free again. Adelena feels abandoned but finds a way to adjust, her heart warmed by memories.
Review
Set in Amsterdam during WWII, this is a terrific story of survival reminiscent of The Diary of Anne Frank.
Twelve-year-old Adelena (Lena) was born in Germany, but her family left many years earlier due to the rise of the anti-Semitic Nazi movement. Life had been good in Amsterdam since then, but now things are worsening quickly. Her parents decide they must flee the country, but that it would be too dangerous to travel with Lena too.
Lena is left to hide in the home of her lovely violin teacher, Frau Graaf, who is part of an underground movement against the Nazis. But Lena’s life is lonely, and she feels left behind and betrayed by her parents. With the war continuing over many years the severe food shortages are making everyone frail and ill, and Lena doubts that she will survive to the end.
When she discovers more hidden children in the home of her friend Pim, who lives next door, she plans a secret and dangerous trip to spend time with them. But these escapades are very risky. Will everything unravel because of her silliness?
Based around WWII, it tackles death and famine, but we also experience human goodness and humanity, survival against the odds, and the strength of the human spirit. An interesting plot point was the help that Lena received many times from a German Captain, when he could easily have ended everything for Lena and Frau Graaf instead.
An ideal read for all secondary students.
Reviewed by Rob
