'A Candle in the Dark' by Adele Geras, is set in 1939, just before the outbreak of the Second World War. The main characters, Clara (11 years old), and Maxi (5 years old), live in Germany. They are Jewish.The family are reasonably happy, living in Germany, although they are nervous, because the Nazis, who hated Jews, rule Germany. One night, the Nazis break into the family's shop. Clara and Maxi's mother decides to evacuate them to the English countryside, where she hopes they will be safe. Clara knows the reason why they have to be sent sway, but Maxi is too young to understand.
The children go to England on the 'Kinder transport', a special train for Jewish people. The story is about their journey and then about their experiences of living in England. Although they are safe in England, as Jewish people, they still have some difficulties. One of the most interesting parts of the story is when the children have to take part in the school's nativity play. This has lots of problems for them because as Jews they are not sure if they should take part.
I enjoyed reading 'A Candle in the Dark', because personally I am interested in the Second World War. The story is told from the children's viewpoint, which I liked. The story was first published in 1995, and although the story is set 55 years earlier, it is written in a way that modern children can understand. The book is not humorous and in some places it is quite sad. Normally, I prefer factual books but this is written in a very realistic way, and so I still enjoyed it.
I would recommend this book to anyone, who like me, is interested in the Second World War. It is suitable for boys and girls of 10 years and upward.
