The Night Crossing

Reach for this book when your child starts asking why people have to leave their homes or why some groups are treated unfairly in history. It is a gentle but honest introduction to the Holocaust, focusing on a Jewish family's journey to safety during the 1930s. Clara and her family must make the difficult choice to leave their life in Austria behind and cross the mountains into Switzerland. Through this story, children see how courage and family love can shine even during scary times. It provides a safe space to discuss historical prejudice and the concept of a refugee without being overly graphic. You might choose this to help build empathy for immigrants or to introduce your child to Jewish history in a way that emphasizes resilience and hope.