Peter in Peril: Courage and Hope in World War Two

Gr 2–5—Peter is a Jewish child living in Budapest when World War II breaks out. As new laws are passed, Peter has to say goodbye to his beloved nanny and begin wearing a yellow star on his coat. Before long, he and his family are packing up their most valuable possessions for safekeeping at their neighbors' houses as they are ordered to leave their home and are sent to live in a housing unit intended for the city's Jewish families. Eventually, Peter and his cousin, Eva, are sent to live in a special Children's House in hopes that they will be able to escape to a safer country. Told through young Peter's point of view as he writes in a diary, this story touches on some of the most difficult aspects of the war. The design complements the text, with panels set against a beige background that resembles the pages of a weathered journal. The drawing style is childlike, as though Peter is illustrating the narrative himself, and each panel is ripe with emotion. As a child, Peter can't fully convey the details of what is happening or why, but his account may inspire readers to further explore this subject. A full-color map of Budapest with the various locations mentioned is included on the inside front and back covers. Background information about Peter's life following the war is appended, as are photos of Peter and his family.