Hour of Need | Review

Hour of Need : The Daring Escape of the Danish Jews During World War II
Ralph Shayne
Yellow Jacket, an imprint of Little Bee Books, 2023
Grades 4-8

Currently, the Museum of Jewish Heritage in NYC has an exhibit showcasing the story of Denmark during World War II. In contrast to much of the world, Denmark did not sit by and let its Jewish population be slaughtered by the Nazi regime. Instead, they worked together to rescue most of their Jewish people.

Hour of Need depicts the story of a Jewish family that needs rescue. It begins as Hitler invades Denmark and the country is under the rule of the Germans, but in a much more lenient fashion than other countries. Mette, a nine-year-old girl, learns that her family is Jewish during this time. Just as the Germans’ patience runs out and they are about to deport the entire Jewish population of Copenhagen, her family sets out to the seaside to escape to Sweden.

The book is narrated by Mette, as a grandmother, telling her grandchildren her story. She highlights the resistance fighters and the great kindness of the many citizens of Denmark. The all-out effort of the Danish people is remarkable and isn’t even adequately captured in this graphic novel. Though I was familiar with the larger story, and many young people are likely not, the storytelling feels like an isolated incident instead of the full-scale rescue that it was.

Hour of Need would be a great classroom supplement for students who read Lois Lowry’s Number the Stars. (It’s a classroom classic after all). It gives a different perspective to the story, because it also highlights the many resistance fighters.

Goldberg’s realistic illustrations evoke the time period and give a good sense of the rural setting of much of the book. While the subdued palette may not appeal to all, it certainly sets a tone that is in harmony with the historical context depicted.

Overall, this title is a great addition to the growing number of graphic novels that cover the Holocaust. It’s a more hopeful title because it features the kindness of a nation that was unique in that time.

Filed under: Graphic Novels, Reviews