Carmen Agra Deedy, a New York Times bestselling author, has been writing and traveling around the world telling stories for more than twenty years. Her books have received numerous awards and honors. Carmen has performed in many prestigious venues, but children are her favorite audience. Born in Havana, Cuba, she came to the United States as a refugee and like most immigrants sees the world from multiple perspectives. She lives in Georgia. Read more about the author here.
Henri Sorensen has illustrated over twenty books for children, including The Yellow Star. He lives in Denmark.
A Few Reviews:
“Blending fact with legend, Deedy tells of Denmark’s King Christian X’s simple act of rebellion and courage, which served to unite his people against the Nazis. It is the king’s custom to ride through the streets of Copenhagen unguarded, counting on the love of his people to protect him. When the Nazis circulate the order that all Jews must wear yellow stars on their clothing, the king devises a way to protect them. He makes his morning rounds as is his custom, but wears a yellow Star of David on his finest suit. The final illustrations depict shopkeepers, policemen, and others, all following their monarch’s lead. “And, once again, in the country of Denmark, there were only Danes.” Deedy’s language is simple and rhythmic, relating what she calls in the notes “a story that should be told.” Sorensen’s period paintings serve almost as formal portraits of individual Danes living their lives in the face of the looming Nazi occupation. This is an interesting and thought-provoking piece of work, but readers are sure to be disappointed to find out that it is legend, and not verified history.” – School Library Journal, Martha Link, Louisville Free Public Library, KY
“I have read the negative reviews of those who point out that the story is not true, and I too wish the story as written were true. However, I personally, cannot compare it to Number the Stars, which is also excellent, because they are different types of books for an entirely different audience. For younger children, particularly, this short, simple, beautiful story of the commitment of the Danish King and people to protect and save the Jewish countrymen from Nazi persecution is inspiring and lovely. It’s a favorite book of ours for the spirit of the story, and the unspoken challenge – what if we all chose to stand beside others to protect them and their freedoms, even at risk to our own lives? It isn’t in the book, but it’s the thought that always follows for me. This is a story of finding a creative solution to a horrific, threatening problem. It is the story of the commitment of a nation to protect all of its people. Those lessons are beautiful, and definitely historically accurate to the spirit of the Danes in WW2, though the details are not consistent with fact.” – Amazon Reviewer Colorado Mom X 3
