Behind the Bedroom Wall

by Laura E. Williams

Book Overview

It is 1942. Korinna, a thirteen-year-old girl in Germany, is an active member of the local Jungmadel, a Nazi youth group, along with many of her friends. She believes that Hitler is helping Germany by dealing with what he calls the "Jewish problem," a campaign that she witnesses as her Jewish neighbors are attacked and taken from their homes.

When Korinna discovers that her parents--who are secretly members of an underground...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1571316582
• ISBN13: 9781571316585
• Release Date: August 2005
• Publisher: Milkweed Editions
• Length: 184 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.2" x 8.1"
• Age Range: 8 to 13 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 8

Customer Reviews

Powerful

It needs to be read by every young person.

The Flip Side of the Coin

We've all read memoirs and accounts of Jewish suffering during World War 2...but do we know the thoughts and life-changing decisions faced by a "normal" German girl during that time? I would venture to say that many of us don't. Well, here is novel to remedy that situation. "Behind The Bedroom Wall" is the story of 13-year-old Korinna Rehme. Life is fairly simple for her-follow Hitler, hate the Jews, and turn in "traitors" to Germany. She loves her Hitler Youth Meetings, and is safe and secure in the fact that she is a "loyal" German and so are her parents and friends. But then she makes a shocking discovery. What she thought to be the sound of mice behind her bedroom wall is really Jews, who her parents have decided to hide to keep safe. Korinna is outraged, confused, and afraid. How can "the enemy" be living right next to her? Are her parents evil? What will happen if anyone finds out? Korinna must make the decision-will she turn her parents in to the Nazis or will she take part in her parents' courageous rebellion....??? This book constantly had me asking myself, "What would I do in that situation?" "Would I be strong enough to face persecution and go against a popular view?" Korinna is convincing in her utter normalcy and frightens us into thinking, "Could that be me?" The novel is also suspenseful as we realize that danger faces Korinna no matter which way she chooses. "Behind The Bedroom Wall" is a must-read for any kid (adults might enjoy it, too)and really, really shows us how Hitler succeeded in carrying out the Holocaust.

A Meaningful Holocaust Story

Well, I'm not going to write a long review, because there is to much to say about this book! But I will tell you that I have read many Holocaust stories and I have to say that this is one of the BEST books I've read! In short, Behind the Bedroom Wall is about a girl, Korinna, who is an active part of a Nazi Youth Group, and very against the Jewish people. In the story, Korinna finds out that her own parents are hiding a Jewish family is HER room! Well, I hope that got you interested! I'll leave the rest to you to read on your own!

Simply Mystifying!

Korinna is a girl growing up in the Holcaust of World War II. She is a wholehearted Nazi and she spits at Jews. When she finds that her parents are hiding two Jews behind her bedroom wall, she doesn't know what to do. How could she turn her parents in for helping Jews? On the other hand how can she keep quiet when she thinks the act of kindness that her parents are performing is a sin? This book will keep its readers mystified and amazed. This book is about a girl torn between two pieces of information in a situation that is so realistic I almost can't believe it is fiction.

One of my Favorite Books Ever!

Korinna is a young German girl who is very into her German Youth Group until one day she discovers her parents are traitors: hiding Jews behind her bedroom wall. Korinna wants to turn her parents in but then she begins to like the family hiding behind her own wall. She wonders has she become a traitor too?