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Louise Borden
Margaret K. McElderry
Niki Daly
Hardcover
11 1/2 x 9 1/2 inches
44
0-689-84502-2
2004
9 and up
2
$18.95
$14.21
Why You Will Like This Book
The Greatest Skating Race by Louise Borden is a fascinating
World War II story about a young Dutch boy, Piet, and of his courage and
altruism. The time setting of the story is over 60 years ago, but the language is fresh and
up-to-date.This historical fiction is about a time when the German soldier was the enemy,
but this is not a propaganda piece. The Greatest Skating Race focuses on the
skating adventure and on the skating route the children took from Sluis to Brugge.
The book could spark some discussion between great grandparents and grandchildren about World War
II memories. This book made me realize once again the courage
that people, maybe especially children, can exhibit during very
critical times.
Synopsis
Set in the Netherlands during World War II, The Greatest Skating Race is an historical fiction story that recounts the story of Piet, a young Dutch skater. Piet's hero is Pim Mulier--the first person to ever skate the Elfstedentocht, the famous and prestigious Eleven Towns Race that takes place in his country. Now the young Dutch skater must skate the route himself in order to guide two neighborhood children to their aunt's house in Brugge and keep the German soldiers from any suspicions.
Description
This is one of the many amazing acts of courage that happened during WWII. Although the author doesn't tell us if the story is true, it is probably at least based on an actual event. During the journey from Sluis in the Netherlands to the aunt's house in Brugge, Brussels, Piet and his two young friends must summon all of their courage to face the questioning German soldiers, the cold icy wind, and the growing darkness. They must appear as innocent school children simply out for recreation. Piet's inspiration is Pim Mulier, the first person to ever skate the famous and prestigious Elfstedentocht.
"Louise Borden's moving text captures all the tension, excitement, and fear that comes with Piet's mission, while Niki Daly's evocative illustrations bring the children and their perilous journey into vivid focus."
The School Library Journal wrote of this book, "The story should prompt children's curiosity about an event that for them is part of a far-distant past and stir their hearts with this family's courage."
The New York Times wrote, "In a spare and dramatic child's voice, wonderfully free of patriotic preaching or moralizing... her account gives a personal, memorable character to what might otherwise be an abstract chapter of history."
What others said about this book
The School Library Journal wrote of this book, "The story should prompt children's curiosity about an event that for them is part of a far-distant past and stir their hearts with this family's courage."
The New York Times wrote, "In a spare and dramatic child's voice, wonderfully free of patriotic preaching or moralizing... her account gives a personal, memorable character to what might otherwise be an abstract chapter of history."
