Anna is worried. Her little sister Eva must be kept secret from the Nazis. Eva has special needs and according to the authorities, should be reported, collected and placed in a special school for those with disabilities. But Anna and her mother have heard stories about what happens to these children and they will do anything in their power to keep Eva home.

This becomes harder and harder every day, and when Anna and her best friend Udo have a close call with a fervent local Hitler Youth boy, they are scared for Eva’s safety. Luckily they are not the only Germans in their small village who hate Hitler, and Eva is hidden much more carefully.

But it means she never feels the sun or fresh air on her skin, and must spend hours alone in a small hiding space. Her health begins to deteriorate. There are spies everywhere and Anna and her new friend Brunhilde try to keep clear of any suspicion – saluting when others cry Heil Hitler, and attending the local girls groups in Hitler’s honour.

It is well known that Hitler’s home is not far from their village, and Anna meets some of his wealthy, important friends and colleagues. She struggles to reconcile their kindness and friendly natures with the horrors of the Nazi party. As the war drags on, there are more children to hide and Eva becomes sick. Will Hitler finally succeed in taking Eva from them after all?

Another stunning story from Katrina Nannestad about World War 2 and those that did anything to survive through it. This novel focuses on all of those deemed unworthy of being in Hitler’s supposed ‘Master Race.’ This included the Roma and Jewish people, or anyone with any kind of disability, like Eva, a little girl with special needs.

Hiding Eva brings much tension throughout this novel based on many experiences across Germany. It also highlights the many Germans who secretly hated the Nazi regime, and behind closed doors, defied it in any way possible. Main character Anna increasingly struggles with the fact that people she meets can be fun, kind and generous, but monsters underneath – condoning Hitler’s regime. 

The compassion the author shows in her characters is heart breaking. Many are courageous whilst full of fear, kind without question, and Eva herself a beautiful wee soul who finds joy in everything. Although deemed frail and weak, she brings hope and love to all those around her even when in the most danger of all. The resulting mix of characters in an ever shrinking hiding space portrays that we are all the same, deserving kindness and love.

Author – Katrina Nannestad

Age – 9+

(2024, Harper Collins NZ, Animals, Bullies, Conflict, Courage, Family, Friendship, Growing up, Historical, Love, Poverty, Racism, Prejudice, Secret, Series, War, Germany, WWII, World War 2, Master Race, Hitler, Gestapo, SS Soldiers, Hiding, Traitors, Hitler Youth)