The Hiding Place
Recommended. Age: 13+. A Catholic review of this book for parents.
Our review
Corrie and her family fix watches in Holland. When the Nazis come, they hide Jewish people in a secret room in their house. Corrie and her sister are caught and sent to a prison camp, where they pray and share the Bible. It is a true story about forgiving enemies, and it is best for teens. This is one of the great Christian books to come out of the war. Corrie's sister Betsie loves the guards who hurt her, and Corrie has to learn to do the same. The author is a Protestant, of the Dutch Reformed Church, so the prayer is Bible reading and not the Mass or the sacraments. The Cardinal Newman Society puts it on its list for grades 5 to 8. The camp scenes are grim, so we set it for teens.
For parents
Read aloud from about twelve. Independent reading from thirteen, which matches Plugged In. The Cardinal Newman Society lists it for grades 5 to 8, so a mature sixth or seventh grader may be ready with a parent close by. Warn your child about the camp: Plugged In logs naked corpses, cries of people being tortured, and executions. Tell your child plainly that the ten Booms were Protestant Christians. Their love of Scripture is something we share. Explain what they did not have: the Mass, Confession and the Real Presence. A Catholic priest reviewing the stage film warned about a Protestant communion scene. If it comes up, explain that it is not the Eucharist. The family argues about whether they may lie to the soldiers. Read Catechism 2483 on lying and 2489, which says no one must reveal the truth to someone who has no right to know it. Ask: how can Betsie thank God in such a place? What does it cost Corrie to forgive? Pair it with St. Maximilian Kolbe or St. Edith Stein.