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On the Edge of the Fjord
Valcos is a peaceful little Norwegian fishing village—that is, until the Nazis quarter themselves in the local families’ homes. The Nazis hope to secure Captain Engeland’s help and the village’s valuable ships, so something must be done to stop them. Fourteen-year-old Petra Engeland, her brother, and others in the village unite to oppose the enemy through daring rescues, ingenious plans, and life-or-death missions. Filled with suspenseful action and beautiful description, On the Edge of the Fjord tenderly illustrates devotion to family and country, comradery between young and old, and courage in the face of adversity.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1944
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 6, 2022
5+ stars & 7/10 hearts. Ahh, this book! It is breathtakingly exciting, and full of wonderful characters. Set in 1940, with the German invasion of Norway, this book doesn’t stop and neither do you. What with secret caves, hidden maps, dynamite, not-so-innocent factories, midnight excursions, boats slipping off to England, airplanes landing in mountains prowled over by enemies, fugitives on the run… even the last chapter keeps you on your toes!
But it is the characters who really get your heart. I admire Petra so much—what a fun, clever, brave little soul, playing stupid to allay suspicions, relying only on her wits to thwart plans, and scrambling endlessly all over the mountains at her own risk. And then dear Martin—so impetuous, so courageous, so loving, so passionate! Sigurd, Ruggles, Inga, Karen, Margot, and Hans are such fantastic side characters—merry, brave, vibrant! Simon, Peter, Ole, Fru Engeland, Herr Professor and Fru Roland—all so perfect in their own ways! And I even half-pity, half-like Kurt, the Lieutenant, the Captain, and Otto!
The humour is epic, and I really appreciate the theme of determination, restraint, courage, and loyalty—it’s such an inspiration. This is one of the best WWII books I’ve ever read, and everyone should read it. ;)
A Favourite Quote: “All over Norway, for that matter, people are doing things they never expected to do,” she replied….
“We can do it,” said Petra firmly. “I know that now. Whatever we have to do, we can do. I’ve found that out.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “I am so sorry,” murmured Petra. “You must go home at once and get dry clothing. You would be no help whatever to the captain if you were ill. He would not like that. I have a dry coat here on shore. I will put that on, and I have more fishing tackle in the little locker in the boat. We will catch more fish. Hurry, now. We will soon be home. You tell Mother what happened, and she will see that you have a hot drink and are made comfortable.”
Otto looked slightly bewildered at these quick, well-organized plans, but he was used to taking orders, and these sounded very sensible, especially that last sentence. “Yes, yes,” he answered. “I have found you. You are fishing. I have saved your life. I will, go. You and your brother will soon be home. I have saved your life,” he repeated with pride.
“I thank you,” said Petra, wondering what Otto would think if he knew she had won last summer’s swimming tournament in Valcos. “You’d better hurry now.”
But it is the characters who really get your heart. I admire Petra so much—what a fun, clever, brave little soul, playing stupid to allay suspicions, relying only on her wits to thwart plans, and scrambling endlessly all over the mountains at her own risk. And then dear Martin—so impetuous, so courageous, so loving, so passionate! Sigurd, Ruggles, Inga, Karen, Margot, and Hans are such fantastic side characters—merry, brave, vibrant! Simon, Peter, Ole, Fru Engeland, Herr Professor and Fru Roland—all so perfect in their own ways! And I even half-pity, half-like Kurt, the Lieutenant, the Captain, and Otto!
The humour is epic, and I really appreciate the theme of determination, restraint, courage, and loyalty—it’s such an inspiration. This is one of the best WWII books I’ve ever read, and everyone should read it. ;)
A Favourite Quote: “All over Norway, for that matter, people are doing things they never expected to do,” she replied….
“We can do it,” said Petra firmly. “I know that now. Whatever we have to do, we can do. I’ve found that out.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “I am so sorry,” murmured Petra. “You must go home at once and get dry clothing. You would be no help whatever to the captain if you were ill. He would not like that. I have a dry coat here on shore. I will put that on, and I have more fishing tackle in the little locker in the boat. We will catch more fish. Hurry, now. We will soon be home. You tell Mother what happened, and she will see that you have a hot drink and are made comfortable.”
Otto looked slightly bewildered at these quick, well-organized plans, but he was used to taking orders, and these sounded very sensible, especially that last sentence. “Yes, yes,” he answered. “I have found you. You are fishing. I have saved your life. I will, go. You and your brother will soon be home. I have saved your life,” he repeated with pride.
“I thank you,” said Petra, wondering what Otto would think if he knew she had won last summer’s swimming tournament in Valcos. “You’d better hurry now.”
May 15, 2020
This was a 4.5 star book! Almost a 5, but I'm reserved in handing out 5 stars.
I've loved each book I've read by Alta Seymour, and this one was no exception. Set it Norway during WWII, this story was full of danger, excitement, lighter moments, and courage. I thought at one point that the story was going to be over since things came to a climatic point, but I was delighted to find it kept going. I wasn't going to read it all in one day, but I just had to keep reading. And reading. And the ending was perfect.
This is certainly one I'm going to be reading again, and I look forward to lending it to others.
I've loved each book I've read by Alta Seymour, and this one was no exception. Set it Norway during WWII, this story was full of danger, excitement, lighter moments, and courage. I thought at one point that the story was going to be over since things came to a climatic point, but I was delighted to find it kept going. I wasn't going to read it all in one day, but I just had to keep reading. And reading. And the ending was perfect.
This is certainly one I'm going to be reading again, and I look forward to lending it to others.
November 5, 2022
Wow! This book is pretty non-stop! Definitely makes for an adventurous and engaging family read-aloud.
Set in Norway at the start of the Nazi occupation, Petra and Martin are patriotic to the core and nothing will stop them from doing what they can to thwart the invading enemies' schemes. Whatever they can, that is, that is not unnecessarily risky; so their mother admonishes. And with that, they scale difficult mountain paths, get trapped in a cave, help men escape to England, send secret messages via fishing boats and airplanes and plot a daring mission that will set back the Nazis from further advancement.
It's a well narrated story that focuses on the pace rather than any character development, but that should score a win with your readers/listeners needing constant motion. Responsibility, courage, shrewdness and loyalty are all central components, as any good old-fashioned book always made sure to include.
Ages: 7+
Cleanliness: nothing to note.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
Set in Norway at the start of the Nazi occupation, Petra and Martin are patriotic to the core and nothing will stop them from doing what they can to thwart the invading enemies' schemes. Whatever they can, that is, that is not unnecessarily risky; so their mother admonishes. And with that, they scale difficult mountain paths, get trapped in a cave, help men escape to England, send secret messages via fishing boats and airplanes and plot a daring mission that will set back the Nazis from further advancement.
It's a well narrated story that focuses on the pace rather than any character development, but that should score a win with your readers/listeners needing constant motion. Responsibility, courage, shrewdness and loyalty are all central components, as any good old-fashioned book always made sure to include.
Ages: 7+
Cleanliness: nothing to note.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
May 6, 2020
This book reminds me of the Winged Watchman by Hilda van Stockum. The same thoroughly readable style and excellent story. As added interest, it was written during World War Two so there was, as yet, no idea as to how the war would end.
March 23, 2011
Hitler invaded Norway in April 1940 for two reasons. The first reason was because he needed the port of Narvik in Norway for transporting much needed iron ore from Sweden to help him wage a successful war. The second reason had nothing to do with war. Hitler believed that the Nordic people were, particularly the Norwegians, a perfect example of the Aryan race and he hoped that the Norwegians and Germans would intermarry. But the Norwegians did not exactly welcome the Germans with open arms, though some did and became traitors to their country, or quislings**, collaborating with the enemy.
On the Edge of the Fjord, written in 1944, begins shortly after Norway is invaded. Petra Engeland, 14, is home alone when a group of Nazis come knocking at the door. Petra’s mother is helping a sick neighbor when this happens, and her 15 year old brother is away at school.
The Nazi leader, Captain Ebert, demands to speak with her father. Captain Engeland, who is on a fishing expedition, is the owner of one large boat and a small fleet of excellent fishing boats. The Nazis wish to commandeer these boats for their own purpose, along with Petra’s father. In addition to this demand, Ebert and three of his officers billet themselves in the Engelbert home.
Petra decides that she must warn her father not to come home to Valcos. Early in the morning, she sets out with her little boat and fishing gear and sails down the fjord to the quay where her father’s business office is. Surprised at finding him there, she tells him what has happened in the village and warns him not to come home.
A week later, Martin comes home for a visit, and when Petra tells him what is happening, they decide to try to get some of their father’s boats out of Norway to England, where many escaped Norwegians are now training to fight the Nazis in their country. Martin stealthily spreads the word among the men and boys in the village, carefully avoiding Nazis and quislings. That night, two boatloads silently sail away down the fjord, but not before deciding how to get messages through. Sigurd Holm suggests using the signal fire they had always used to invite Petra and Martin up to their mountain house during the summer. His sisters, Margot, Inga and Karen Holm, are up there for the summer tending to the family’s goats and cows.
Eventually that fire signal comes and Petra hikes up the dangerous mountain trail to see what message had been received. On her way, Petra sees three German men, including Kurt Nagler, an old family friend who, though German, had lived in Norway his whole life. She knows enough German to understand that they are talking about something hidden in caves in the mountain. The Holm sisters verify that they heard these men speaking about this when Petra finally reaches them.
That night, a plane lands in the Holm’s cow pasture. It is Sigurd with a British flyer called Ruggles. They also know the Nazis are up to something, but don’t know exactly what. They decide to come back in a week after Martin has had time to investigate. After they leave, one of the men Petra has seen comes to ask about the plane. Though they dumbly answer his questions, they realize they will be watched from now on, with no way to warn Sigurd and Ruggles not to come back.
Next morning, Petra sets off for Halven where Martin’s school is. On her way, she discovers that the Nazis are collecting guns from the Norwegians and hiding them in the caves. After finally reaching Martin and explaining things to him, he says he can make a map of the cave locations and will bring it home in a week. Meanwhile, he will investigate the large supposed fish packing plant the Nazis have built near his school, a plant where many Norwegian men are forced to work and forbidden to leave.
Having thought his old friend Hans had become a quisling, Martin is surprised when Hans offers to help get him into the complex. Though leery about Han’s loyalties, Martin cautiously takes him up on his offer and discovers that Captain Ebert is in charge of things and that there is a large amount of dynamite stored in the plant. But Martin still can’t figure out what it is all for.
Meanwhile, Petra manages to sneak into the room Kurt Nagler is renting in Valcos. There, she finds two maps, which she copies. Martin recognizes one map as the caves where they have figured out the Nazis are storing guns and ammunition.
The next week, Sigurd and Ruggles return. Ruggles recognizes one of the maps as an assembly plant for planes. This is good, since the Nazis fly off with their plane.
A plan is hatched. Martin’s headmaster, Herr Roland, arranges to have the older boys in school stay at his mountain house for a week. During that time, they sneak out at night and remove all the guns and ammo from the caves and hide them in an old secret cave that also has an underground tunnel linking it to Herr Roland’s mountain home. On another night, a group goes down to the plant in Halven, where they blow up the place, and unfortunately the school near it, but not before Sigurd and Ruggles manage to fly away on of the planes there.
Now, of course, they must all answer to Captain Ebert and the Nazis about all these events, since they are all the prime suspects.
This novel is a real nail biter. It is not just the fact that Norway has been invaded and is now living under Nazi control, which was always a volatile situation. The descriptions of journeys over the rough trails of the Norwegian mountains or Petra alone in her little boat sailing down the rocky waters in the fjord are chilling. I have never visited Norway, though I have always wanted to, so I am not sure I have a proper appreciation of the dangers Petra faced doing this. They are beautiful but daunting.
I liked the characters in this book. They get very scared, but passionate and so they do what they must. It is understandable that they would do what they could against the Nazis, especially since they were invaded despite Norway’s official position of neutrality. The Nazis, on the other hand, are portrayed as cruel, condescending (continuously referring to the people as “dumb Norwegians”) and greedy, despite being told by Hitler not to treat the people too harshly. They were, after all, the perfect Aryans he wanted to infuse German blood with.
Norway did indeed have a strong underground resistance movement. Many who escaped to England wanted to train as commandos in the Linge Company, the Norwegian Special Forces unit. This was the goal of the boatloads of men who left Norway in this story.
Alta Halverson Seymour wrote a number of stories, yet I am sorry to say I could find nothing about her personal life, other than that she was born in 1893.
On the Edge of the Fjord is recommended for readers age 11 and up.
This book was purchased for my personal library.
**The word quisling became synonymous with traitor during World War II, thanks to Vidkun Abraham Lauritz Jonssøn Quisling. He was a Norwegian politican who served in the German collaborationist government as the Minister President. After the war, he was tried and executed as a treasonist.
On the Edge of the Fjord, written in 1944, begins shortly after Norway is invaded. Petra Engeland, 14, is home alone when a group of Nazis come knocking at the door. Petra’s mother is helping a sick neighbor when this happens, and her 15 year old brother is away at school.
The Nazi leader, Captain Ebert, demands to speak with her father. Captain Engeland, who is on a fishing expedition, is the owner of one large boat and a small fleet of excellent fishing boats. The Nazis wish to commandeer these boats for their own purpose, along with Petra’s father. In addition to this demand, Ebert and three of his officers billet themselves in the Engelbert home.
Petra decides that she must warn her father not to come home to Valcos. Early in the morning, she sets out with her little boat and fishing gear and sails down the fjord to the quay where her father’s business office is. Surprised at finding him there, she tells him what has happened in the village and warns him not to come home.
A week later, Martin comes home for a visit, and when Petra tells him what is happening, they decide to try to get some of their father’s boats out of Norway to England, where many escaped Norwegians are now training to fight the Nazis in their country. Martin stealthily spreads the word among the men and boys in the village, carefully avoiding Nazis and quislings. That night, two boatloads silently sail away down the fjord, but not before deciding how to get messages through. Sigurd Holm suggests using the signal fire they had always used to invite Petra and Martin up to their mountain house during the summer. His sisters, Margot, Inga and Karen Holm, are up there for the summer tending to the family’s goats and cows.
Eventually that fire signal comes and Petra hikes up the dangerous mountain trail to see what message had been received. On her way, Petra sees three German men, including Kurt Nagler, an old family friend who, though German, had lived in Norway his whole life. She knows enough German to understand that they are talking about something hidden in caves in the mountain. The Holm sisters verify that they heard these men speaking about this when Petra finally reaches them.
That night, a plane lands in the Holm’s cow pasture. It is Sigurd with a British flyer called Ruggles. They also know the Nazis are up to something, but don’t know exactly what. They decide to come back in a week after Martin has had time to investigate. After they leave, one of the men Petra has seen comes to ask about the plane. Though they dumbly answer his questions, they realize they will be watched from now on, with no way to warn Sigurd and Ruggles not to come back.
Next morning, Petra sets off for Halven where Martin’s school is. On her way, she discovers that the Nazis are collecting guns from the Norwegians and hiding them in the caves. After finally reaching Martin and explaining things to him, he says he can make a map of the cave locations and will bring it home in a week. Meanwhile, he will investigate the large supposed fish packing plant the Nazis have built near his school, a plant where many Norwegian men are forced to work and forbidden to leave.
Having thought his old friend Hans had become a quisling, Martin is surprised when Hans offers to help get him into the complex. Though leery about Han’s loyalties, Martin cautiously takes him up on his offer and discovers that Captain Ebert is in charge of things and that there is a large amount of dynamite stored in the plant. But Martin still can’t figure out what it is all for.
Meanwhile, Petra manages to sneak into the room Kurt Nagler is renting in Valcos. There, she finds two maps, which she copies. Martin recognizes one map as the caves where they have figured out the Nazis are storing guns and ammunition.
The next week, Sigurd and Ruggles return. Ruggles recognizes one of the maps as an assembly plant for planes. This is good, since the Nazis fly off with their plane.
A plan is hatched. Martin’s headmaster, Herr Roland, arranges to have the older boys in school stay at his mountain house for a week. During that time, they sneak out at night and remove all the guns and ammo from the caves and hide them in an old secret cave that also has an underground tunnel linking it to Herr Roland’s mountain home. On another night, a group goes down to the plant in Halven, where they blow up the place, and unfortunately the school near it, but not before Sigurd and Ruggles manage to fly away on of the planes there.
Now, of course, they must all answer to Captain Ebert and the Nazis about all these events, since they are all the prime suspects.
This novel is a real nail biter. It is not just the fact that Norway has been invaded and is now living under Nazi control, which was always a volatile situation. The descriptions of journeys over the rough trails of the Norwegian mountains or Petra alone in her little boat sailing down the rocky waters in the fjord are chilling. I have never visited Norway, though I have always wanted to, so I am not sure I have a proper appreciation of the dangers Petra faced doing this. They are beautiful but daunting.
I liked the characters in this book. They get very scared, but passionate and so they do what they must. It is understandable that they would do what they could against the Nazis, especially since they were invaded despite Norway’s official position of neutrality. The Nazis, on the other hand, are portrayed as cruel, condescending (continuously referring to the people as “dumb Norwegians”) and greedy, despite being told by Hitler not to treat the people too harshly. They were, after all, the perfect Aryans he wanted to infuse German blood with.
Norway did indeed have a strong underground resistance movement. Many who escaped to England wanted to train as commandos in the Linge Company, the Norwegian Special Forces unit. This was the goal of the boatloads of men who left Norway in this story.
Alta Halverson Seymour wrote a number of stories, yet I am sorry to say I could find nothing about her personal life, other than that she was born in 1893.
On the Edge of the Fjord is recommended for readers age 11 and up.
This book was purchased for my personal library.
**The word quisling became synonymous with traitor during World War II, thanks to Vidkun Abraham Lauritz Jonssøn Quisling. He was a Norwegian politican who served in the German collaborationist government as the Minister President. After the war, he was tried and executed as a treasonist.
September 2, 2020
This was a fantastic book and one that I'm excited to have my kids read. On the Edge of the Fjord tells the story of a little Norwegian village during the outbreak of WWII and how the entire populace dealt with the Nazis. Told from the vantage point of two young teens, a brother and sister, this book has danger, bravery, and love of country all interspersed with wonderful writing. Also, the parents are smart! I learned a lot about WWII and the culture of Norway from this read.
October 2, 2024
I loved this story so much! It was very intriguing and endearing. I loved the courage and daring of these two youth. It is very inspiring to know that we all have a part to do and we will find ways to do what we know is right! I love the good and beautiful books because I always know that I will take away a positive, character-building message from the stories they have!!
February 18, 2024
A gripping WWII story set in Nazi-occupied Norway and published in 1944 before the outcome of the war was known. Petra and her brother Martin, ordinary Norwegian teenagers, find themselves doing extraordinary and dangerous things to undermine the Nazis and help the loyal Norwegians.
September 21, 2020
I thought this book was very good! I couldn't stop reading it once I started.
September 21, 2020
I thought this book was so good. I love how interesting it was and it is now one of my favorite historical fictions.
May 28, 2024
A very enjoyable read. Great for older children/young teenagers who want a clean, pleasant historical fiction that's still suspenseful and exciting.
October 24, 2024
I sure wish the main character, a 14yo, wasn't smarter than everyone else in the story. This aspect made the story less believable for me.
June 5, 2024
A very enjoyable read. Great for older children/young teenagers who want a clean, pleasant historical fiction that's still suspenseful and exciting.
January 18, 2013
This is a favorite book from my young teen years; my mom had an old copy.
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July 19, 2025A great story of adventure and courage!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews