Waiting for Anya

Michael Morpurgo's 'Waiting for Anya' is a powerful historical fiction novel set in a small French village during World War II. It follows Jo, a young shepherd boy, who discovers a secret network smuggling Jewish children to safety across the Spanish border. As German soldiers occupy his town, Jo must bravely assist the reclusive Widow Horcada and her son-in-law, Benjamin, in their perilous mission. This gripping story, reminiscent of Lois Lowry's 'Number the Stars,' explores themes of courage, empathy, and the profound choices ordinary people make in extraordinary times, offering young readers a poignant look at the human spirit amidst the horrors of war.

A boy living in a Pyrennean village under German occupation becomes involved in a network which helps Jews escape to Spain.