The Secret of the Swamp

Snuf de hond #1

by Piet Prins

During the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, a young Dutch boy's German shepherd proves himself invaluable when his tracking ability saves his young owner's life.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Childrens, World War II, Christian Fiction, Chapter Books, 20th Century

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1950

About the author

Pseudoniem van Piet Jongeling.

Reviews

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 sterren- Nederlandse hardcover

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

De avonturen zijn ‘oke’. Al vond ik niet dat er echt een verhaal in het boek zat. Het waren meer aan elkaar geplakte gebeurtenissen. Mijn grote afknapper was vooral de continu terugkerende Christelijke boodschap. Dat de personages Christelijk zijn vind ik niet erg en ook iets wat gezien de periode logisch is. Maar ik kreeg het idee dat de boodschap van God de enige boodschap was die de auteur écht over wilde brengen. Vooral het ‘bekeren’ van het joodse meisje valt bij mij niet helemaal lekker. Ik ben blij dat ze deze overheersende ondertoon uit de verfilming hebben gehaald.

[Laura Ohlman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Piet Prins' style is just perfect for adults reading to children. I read the whole Scout series to my little sisters, and they weren't the only ones enjoying it! They were all fun, adventure packed, and full of Christian lessons. Definitely recommend this book, and the rest of the series, for some light, fun reading.

[Esmée · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eén van mijn vaders favorieten uit zijn jeugd, hij aarzelde dus geen enkele seconde om mij dit boek aan te bevelen toen ik rond de 10 jaar oud was. Vandaag de dag nog steeds goed te lezen, vooral voor kinderen die de oorlogstijd interessant vinden of uiteraard gewoon van honden houden. Naar mijn mening een tijdloze klassieker uit de Nederlandse jeugdliteratuur die zeker het lezen waard is!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

My brother's and I enjoyed reading these books as children. My parents recently unearthed them when cleaning out some storage boxes. I enjoyed the nostalgia of re-reading this book. It's a good read for 7-12 year old range. I would be interested in someone's comments on the historical accuracy of the story.

[Carine Woertel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ik ben opgegroeid met de boeken van Snuf de hond. Met de sterke wens om zelf een hond te bezitten, maar ouders die daar niet in mee wilden gaan, waren de boeken van Snuf de Hond een uitlaatklep voor mij. De combinatie van destijds, mijn interesse voor de tweede wereldoorlog en mijn liefde voor honden maakte dat ik meteen gegrepen werd bij het eerste deel van de serie.

Het verhaal speelt zich af in de tijd dat Nederland bezet is door de Duitsers. Snuf en zijn baasje Tom belanden in spannende avonturen en door hun moedige optreden weten ze uiteindelijk een belangrijke rol te spelen in de strijd tegen de bezetter. Een mooi verhaal over kameraadschap, moed, geloof en liefde.

Wellicht voelt de schrijfstijl voor nu wat uitbollig aan, maar dat hoeft geen reden te zijn om dit boek niet te gaan lezen.

[Klazina · Rating 2 out of 5]

De kinderen in mijn klas zijn gek op dit boek, dus toch interessant om het zelf dan ook eens te gaan lezen. Eigenlijk bestaat het boek uit allemaal kleine verhaallijnen en vormt het samen 1 verhaal. In het begin van het boek had een aantal bladzijden gelezen en toen zei ik tegen mijn vriend: Het is net alsof ik al een heel boek heb gelezen zoveel is er in deze bladzijden gebeurt. Het is in dat opzicht dan ook een mooi boek voor kinderen die niet van dikke boeken houden maar toch een 'dik' boek willen lezen.

[Marije · Rating 4 out of 5]

oorlog
opspoorhond

[Hedzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this series growing up in Holland and loved them. A boy, his dog, and the adventures they have in Holland around the time of world war 2.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually don't remember much about this book, just that we all loved it when Mum was reading it to us!!

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5*

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Christian WWII series!

[Aaron Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is a really nice book about a german sheperd and i love german sheperds because it’s a strong and Sweet dog

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable story set in the Netherlands of the bond between a boy and his dog and their many thrilling adventures!

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nostalgia in its purest form

[David Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been so long since I read this book, but I certainly enjoyed it as a kid

[Ms Chuzzlewit · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a very easy read, aimed, I think towards younger teens, but I really enjoy this whole series and have read it a before. There is lots of adventure and there is not a page that I felt bored or that I wanted to rush through but I would not call it a page turner. very enjoyable, good morals, I highly recommend this book

It is about Tom and his dog Scout during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Together they rescue a soldier, and later a young Jewish girl, who his family takes in as their own. It also includes many little adventure including Scout being captured by the Germans multiple run-ins with German soldiers and of course, Tom, Scout and his friend Carl play a big part in liberating their village by risking their lives in carrying a very important message through enemy lines and through a secret path in a swamp, only to be laughed to scorn. However they run into help and come through it all triumphant.

[Scott Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read to my children (13, 11, 9 and 6). It particularly appealed to my 11 year old boy.

[Star Shining Forever · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cool story of a boy named Tom and his German Shepard Scout, set in the Netherlands. The opening is action-packed—Tom goes after bandits, gets caught, and escapes with Scout's help. Then some years later the two and their friends resist the invading Nazis and work with the Canadian army to help liberate their town. The Christian angle is nice. I always enjoy stories of the Resistance during World Ear 2, and this book was no exception!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an exciting story of a boy and his German Shepherd dog in the time of Word War II. I enjoyed it extremely when I read it when I was about 10 or 11 years old. My brothers liked it too.

4/28/11
I read it a second time, and enjoyed it, but not quite as much as when I was a child. Still a good story with a bit of history.

[Mazzou B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another adventure set during Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. I read as many of these as possible. This one is great for ages 7-12. Concentrates a lot on the dog; it is he who remedies the dangerous situations. Yet, unlike most books for children, especially books where the animal is a hero, this book also concentrates on God's providence and protection.

[Irene Roth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am probably one of the few Reformed kids who never read the Scout books as a youngster! I'm sure I'd have given the books a 4 or 5 star rating as a kid. They were an enjoyable light read full of adventure and heroism (actually I listened to them on audio), but as an adult it's hard to not see flaws in storyline, believability etc.

[Stephanie Ziebarth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing isn't great, but I can see why my son enjoyed it so much that he insisted I read it. With themes of great courage, loyalty and God's protection, this book of constant adventure would appeal to almost any elementary-aged boy.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written, with interesting action set in the Netherlands during WWII. Fits in lessons about trusting God. My kids were quite into the story, mostly because of Scout. I'm glad they were able to learn a little about WWII.

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was very very good.
I like animals so this book was a very good one.
Love it!

[Glory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these books! I don't usually like dog stories because they are overdone, but this is a rare jewel of a book.

[jleov2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book about world war 2 a boy and his dog!

[Jimmy van der Hoeven · Rating 3 out of 5]

vroeger de serie gelezen. spannend.