The End of the Line

Gr 4 Up—The Nazi occupation of Holland is underway when five-year-old Beatrix and her mother ride the tram, destined for a mystery lady in a green hat who will keep Beatrix safe. That plan is stymied when the Nazis board and round up all the Jewish occupants, including her mother; Beatrix is left behind. She is claimed by the tram's ticket-taker, Lars, as his niece. Lars and his brother, Hans, have led sedate and uneventful lives but suddenly they have put their own existence in danger by claiming Beatrix. With the help of their neighbors, Mrs. Vos and Lieve van der Meer, Lars and Hans do all they can to keep the little girl safe. This is an adequate story to add to the wide canon of Holocaust historical fiction. McKay has a pleasant voice and there is certainly a sweetness to the story of two older men, set in their ways, suddenly raising a young girl. The writing lacks intensity, however, and the characters' personalities are mild. Voices are indistinguishable from one another, particularly Lars and Hans. This would make a suitable introduction to the Nazi Occupation for young readers as the chapters are brief, and the story moves at a brisk pace while the violent action takes place off the page. It briefly introduces topics such as "righteous gentiles" and may leave readers seeking more information. Unfortunately, there are better options, in both fiction and nonfiction, for getting this important historical information across to readers.—Sarah Wethern, Douglas County Library, Alexandria, MN