Adam & Thomas

A parent would reach for this book when they want to introduce the complex history of the Holocaust through a lens of friendship and resilience rather than through trauma. It provides a gentle yet honest entry point for discussing how people find light in dark times and how the support of a friend can help us overcome seemingly impossible challenges. The story follows two boys, Adam and Thomas, whose mothers hide them in a forest to escape deportation from a Jewish ghetto. While they wait for their mothers to return, the boys use their differing skills (one is a dreamer, one is practical) to build a shelter and survive the winter. It is a deeply moving story about bravery, resourcefulness, and the spiritual strength found in nature. Parents will appreciate the fable-like quality that makes the difficult historical context accessible for children aged 8 to 12.