Peter's War: A Boy's True Story of Survival in World War II Europe

The harrowing true story of a German-Jewish boy who had to survive World War II on his own, separated from his parents as they fled the Holocaust.

In 1942, as twelve-year-old Peter Feigl and his family tried to disappear in the Southern Zone of France, his parents were arrested.

They had been constantly on the run for years, as Hitler consolidated power and overran Europe. Peter and his family fled from Germany to Czechoslovakia, then Austria, Belgium, and finally France. They were desperate to stay one step ahead of the Nazis and their concentration camps.

But suddenly, Peter was alone: a spirited child coming of age in hiding during the worst war in modern history. This book follows his incredible journey for survival, and his efforts as a secret resistance fighter.

Beautifully illustrated in a scrapbook style, featuring original artwork alongside historical photographs from Peter's early life, this one-of-a-kind nonfiction picture book offers a very personal look into the lives of young people trying to evade-- and resist-- the Nazis. Excerpts and images from Peter's diary of those years add irreplaceable, first-hand details to the account of his survival.

The acclaimed nonfiction duo of Karen Gray Ruelle and Deborah Durland DeSaix, creators of Hidden on the Mountain and The Grand Mosque of Paris, have crafted an enthralling account, filled with meticulous research and informed by the authors' own interviews with Feigl. Accessible and detailed, this will inspire young readers and offer a new perspective on a frequently studied era of history.

Featuring more than ten pages of supplementary backmatter-- including an epilogue, extensive historical notes, a wealth of recommendations for further reading, and a comprehensive list of sources and credits-- Peter's War is a masterful resource, and an incredible, unforgettable true story.

A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year!

Author: Karen Gray Ruelle
Publisher: Holiday House
Published: 03/03/2020
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.75lbs
Size: 10.10h x 8.00w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9780823424160
Audience: Ages 4-8


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 01/15/2020
Booklist 03/01/2020 pg. 36
School Library Journal 04/01/2020 pg. 154

About the Author
Karen Gray Ruelle is a former librarian turned full-time author and illustrator of children's books. Her books include the Harry and Emily easy readers, as well as picture books and nonfiction. Hidden on the Mountain, cowritten with Deborah Durland DeSaix, was a Sydney Taylor Notable Book and received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews. She lives in New York City.

Deborah Durland DeSaix is a former college professor who now devotes her time to painting, ceramics, and writing. Hidden on the Mountain, cowritten with Karen Gray Ruelle, was a Sydney Taylor Notable Book and received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews. She lives in Lisbon, Portugal.