What If They Find Us?

by Kathy Clarke

In German-occupied Poland in 1944, Susan and Vera are sent to a convent to hide from the Nazis. These two Jewish sisters witness the courage of the nuns who shelter them and the risks they took. But when the soldiers arrive at the gate in the dead of night, will they be safe?

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Holocaust, World War II

210 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2009

Reviews

[Shai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan, Vera and the other Jewish girls in the convent are quite fortunate that the nuns tried their best to take care and hid them from the Nazis and Hungarian Nazi forces. Despite of the differences in religion, the nuns even risked their lives just to keep these kids from harm just like what happened to Sister Agnes who was shot by the Nazis while they tried to search the convent for the girls. The experience of their parents, close family friend(s) and their very own stories trying to hide inside the convent and during the air raids are really depressing and could be traumatic to them.

I've read quite a few memoirs of other Jewish refugee survivors and I'm still shocked with the accounts of all the hardships they have to endured just because of their religion. I can recommend this light read to teens so they will be aware not only of the history, but also of the lessons they could learn from this book just like friendship and helping anyone regardless of anything just like race, status in life and religion.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a war book and it's non-fiction.
It is about the time when Germany took over Hungary in 1944 during world war 2, and how 2 young Jewish girls who got sent to hide from the Nazis in a convent run my Nuns.
The main focus is on Susan, she is a young Jewish girl who learns to find courage and protect the people she loves. She is a strong, risk taking and independent girl who believes that everyone is equal and she will never forget who she is and where she comes from.
Susan and Vera go to live in the convent and there they become brave and strong. They start to understand the Nuns and their religion. At the convent they meet new friends and even reunite with their older cousin Julia
They did use emotions a lot but other than that there was nothing really special about the style of the writing, it was pretty simple but that’s how I like it. But at the end they did do I bit where it was Vera's daughter who was speaking about visiting the convent and the Nuns years later, I found pretty cool.
I loved this book because I love true stories so I loved how this was true or based on a true story. I loved the part where the girls get into a routine in the convent and how they all learn how to work together. It taught me to always be brave and never forget who you are or where you come from, even if people tell you it's bad.

[Wednesday · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great true story about two Jewish sisters in Nazi occupied Hungary who are hidden away in a convent in Budapest during the last years of WWII. The girls' story alone is amazing but even more remarkable for me was the courage of the nuns. With the Germans garrisoned above them in Budapest's strategic fort and Nazi offices right next door, the Sisters sheltered over 100 Jewish girls from 1944 to 1945. This they did at considerable risk both to themselves and to the church. Although they schooled the girls in the Catholic faith for their own protection, the nuns also made sure that the rituals and celebrations of the Jewish faith were also taught so the girls would not forget their birth faith.
A truly amazing story.

[Rose Odonnell · Rating 3 out of 5]

good book based on a true story. Historical aspect is very strong as it follows the struggles of Jewish people during ww2. The book follows Susan and Vera two sisters sent to a convent to flee from the Nazis. they are constantly worried about their family during their stay and bomb raids frighten them severely but they find new friends who they relate to through being Jewish and persecuted. i found the story very interesting as I love history and heart-warming too.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though this is not the only “true story” in the series, it is the only one based on a family history with the protagonists still alive to provide a firsthand account. The story itself was interesting and informative about a lesser-known aspect of WWII.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars - I love reading about World War 2.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book :)

[Jessica Foreman · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good 👍

[Hannah Katharina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book from the library that I fell in love with.

[Rida · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. (I didn’t love the war, just how it was written). Overall, the book is written excellently. While I was reading it, I had a leg injury, and whenever it hurt I read it and the characters and I both experienced pain at the same time, even though their pain was far worse than mine, and in a completely different form.

[Kylie Colwill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book hard to put down! Highly recommend!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good book, very easy read for such a harrowing story.

[Tirza Horvath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the story, well true story, it was moving, interesting!

[Jen]

the more I read about stories like these the more I learn and realise I didnt know

[Agape · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was inspiring.

[Ophe-the-poop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring, intriguing, touching book

[Carol Ferro · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving account of WW2 in Hungary, through the eyes of a child. Well written, appropriate for children without glossing over the tragedy of war.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very inspiring tale about a group of nuns sacrificing their own lives in the hopes of protecting Jewish girls from the Nazis. The bravery, courage and determination of the nuns is awe-inspiring.