Follow the Star

Young Underground #7

by Robert Elmer

In 1945 in Denmark, thirteen-year-old brother and sister Peter and Elise try to help their Jewish friend Henrik when his mother and a friend of hers are arrested by the Russians and accused of being spies

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Childrens, Young Adult, Christian

176 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1997

About the author

Robert Elmer is the author of more than fifty books, including contemporary novels for the adult Christian audience, nonfiction devotionals like Piercing Heaven and Fount of Heaven (Lexham Press), and seven series for younger readers. Among kids, he is best known for his historicals such as the Young Underground, Adventures Down Under, Life Behind the Wall, and Promise of Zion books. When he's not at the keyboard, he enjoys beachcombing and travel with his wife, and spending time with their three kids and families.

Reviews

[Lydia Willcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow... This was totally different and rather intriguing. I feel like after the war ended, each of these books became very unique. This one deals with Russian troops and a rather unusual situation. Mostly, though, I think this was a very important part of Henrick's arc.
Matthias - I couldn't make up my mind about him. I don't like him, I don't dislike him. I totally understood Henrick's point of view about him, but on the other hand I could see Henrick was taking it too far. I was satisfied with the ending, and will wait till the next book to see how it goes and make up my mind.
As for Henrick's father and grandfather...that was very interesting, and not something I ever expected. I love how Henrick's arc is turning out. I hope it gets a proper resolution in the last book, and his mother too.
As I said, the plot was different and intriguing. As for Ritznick... No spoilers but I want to know more about him!!! Eva and Erik and the others were nice. And I liked how much Uncle Morten was in this one. Tiger, too... I don't think I ever mentioned him but he makes such a great addition to the series. There's been a couple rather anxious moments with him before, but this was the worst. I honestly didn't know how it would end! I must say, I never expected how it did.
The climax scene was intense as always. Peter, driving that jeep... I loved that part, and the rest of that chapter too!
I love the history that is woven into these stories. I find them fascinating as well as exciting!
Only have one book left in the series! I don't want it to end, but on the other hand, I am looking forward to seeing how it all wraps up. Such a good series - I have a feeling the ending is going to be great!

[Miss Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

gr 5-8 174pgs

December 1945 (postWWII). Denmark. Twins Elise and Peter worry when their friend Henrik's mother doesn't come back from a trip to Sweden. She had been traveling with Matthias a family friend. A mysterious phone call tells them the plane landed in Bornholm island and that the Russians, who are occupying the island, have accused them of being spies. Elise and Peter convince their uncle to take them and Henrik to the island to rescue them, but will they be too late?

This book is part of a series "The Young Underground", as a result the story ends with not everything fully resolved and refers to previous events (probably things that took place in the other books) without going into a lot of detail. I would recommend this story to someone who enjoys adventures and doesn't mind not having everything explained.

[Courtney · Rating 2 out of 5]

My children love these little books. They thoroughly enjoy each and every story, as if they are all unique and individual without any cause for similarity among them. Even though sometimes, they might seem tedious and repetitive to me as a parent, I do enjoy being able to read short-stories to my children that are clean and respective.

[Angel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a book I started last year but never finished. At 66% through, I just completely lost interest. I picked it up again today because it was already downloaded, and it being unfinished was really bothering me. I am definitely not the target audience for this book. It just seemed a bit unbelievable. Not quite my cup of tea.

[Rob Worth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Henrik's mom and friend go missing on the island of Bornholm. It's discovered they are prisoners of the Russians, suspected of being spies.

[Tarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twins, Peter and Elise Anderson, along with their friend, Henrik Melchior, have embarked on a trip, across the Baltic Sea from Helsingor, Denmark to Bornholm, Sweden, in 1945. Its starts with a gift from Henrik's late father, which leads to a larger hunt for a special book with secrets inside. A plane crash later, and with Soviet soldiers chasing them down from all sides, how will these daring kids escape?

"Follow the Star" (Book 7, Young Underground) has a Christmas story playing out too, along with all the upfront intrigue. I'm enjoying the religious changes that Henrik is going through, testing the waters outside his comfort zone as a Jew to see what the Bible is all about. The Christmas message in "Follow the Star" beams onward and outward, true and bright!

[Mazzou B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am excited to find this Christian series set in World War II Denmark! They are for younger readers which pleases me because my younger sisters are always looking for exciting books to read. I was happy to know these books are christian, with good morals and message.

My only complaint would be that the conversations sometimes seemed like the 1990's rather than the 1940's. Don't know why- it's just a thought I had as I read the book.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. Some great action, dialogue, and a piece of little known history as the backdrop for the action of the Young Underground. My daughter liked this one as well, but it wasn't her favorite. Together we give it a 3.5. This one was much more fit for the younger part of the audience for which these were written. Really a great series for young readers. My young reader has read through the series several times.

[Adaline Griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Follow the Star, Peter and Elise must go to a strange island with their uncle and with Henrik because Henrik's mother has gone missing. Will they be able to find Henrik's mother and her friend? Or will she be lost to them forever? I recommend this book to historical fiction lovers. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.

[Cws]

WW2-Elm

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting installment in what must be an ongoing series. I've not read any others in this series.