The Night Spies

Deborah Dowson is a Canadian children’s librarian living in Powell,
Ohio.

Fear of being captured by the Nazis forces Gabi, her mother, and her
cousin Max to flee their hometown to a more remote village in
Czechoslovakia, where a former employee of the family has agreed to help
them hide. Mr. Kos faces arrest or even death for harbouring Jews, but
he is willing to take the risk out of gratitude for the kindness that
Gabi’s father had shown him in the past. Gabi and Max are forced to
spend their time hiding in a small dark space in the hay barn. Fear soon
gives way to boredom, and they decide to break the monotony by taking
walks in the middle of the night. During one outing, they meet up with
some resistance fighters and decide to help them by bringing food and
information to them. Although this is extremely dangerous, it is also
important and exciting, and the children feel as though they are taking
action to counter the terrible things that have happened to them during
this horrible time.

Kathy Kacer has done a fine job of presenting a difficult topic in an
age-appropriate manner. Making the waiting and hiding times interesting
and suspenseful must have presented quite a challenge, which Kacer has
successfully met. The story is based on real events, and the inclusion
of pictures of her family and the places where the events occurred
validates its historical authenticity. The Night Spies is highly
recommended.