Deep in the woods lies a secret the Nazis are desperate to destroy. A hidden sanctuary built on bravery, sacrifice, and the ultimate test of trust.
Nazi-occupied Holland, 1943: Fifteen-year-old Sofie returns home from school to a living nightmare. Armed men are ransacking her home, holding a rifle to her father’s temple. Though her family narrowly evades arrest, their safety is gone. Fleeing into the night, her parents are forced to make a heart-wrenching choice: they send Sofie away alone to a secret location deep within the Veluwe woods.
There, hidden beneath the forest canopy, lies Berkenhout—a purpose-built village of underground huts sheltering dozens of persecuted Jewish families.
Life in the bleak, cold settlement is a psychological battle for Sofie, who is entirely cut off from her loved ones. Meanwhile, a reckless local teenager named Jan stumbles upon a downed American airman in the same woods, setting off a dangerous chain of events. As the freezing winter sets in, starvation looms, and rumors of the hidden village begin reaching Nazi ears. With soldiers patrolling the trees in ever-greater numbers, the community realizes it takes only one minor slip for their sanctuary to become a trap.
Based on the incredible true story of a Dutch community that risked everything to hide strangers, this unforgettable World War II novel is perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, The Tattooist of Auschwitz, and The Choice.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from Qualifying Purchases