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Trains and Tulips
How do you respond when your country is conquered by enemies?
When loving your neighbor could lead to prison or death, what do you do?
Can you still believe God is good when all you see is darkness?
On May 10th, 1940, Germany invades the Netherlands. And so begins five years of enemy occupation. Rules, rations, and curfews are implemented. Jews are discriminated against, banned from public places, forced to wear a yellow star, and then hauled off to concentration camps.
All twenty-year-old Pieter Knies wants is to continue studying theology at Utrecht University and one day become a pastor. But as time passes and the persecution of the Jews increases, it becomes harder for him to ignore the Nazis. He becomes convinced that Christ’s command to “love your neighbor” includes the Jews.
Gerrit Vogel, a cheerful, young farmer who hates injustice, is engaged to Pieter’s sister Marit. From the moment the Nazis first set foot in his country, he knows he cannot simply stand by and do nothing. Marit agrees, but what can they do?
David Meijer is a veterinary student at Utrecht University. But soon, he's no longer allowed at the university–because he is Jewish. And things only get worse. When his family is arrested, David goes to Gerrit for help, and now Gerrit and Marit know what they can do.
Elsje DeLong's life is turned upside down on her eighteenth birthday when a neighbor comes to her with a request: Will you take a Jewish baby and claim her as your own?
Soon Pieter, Gerrit, Marit, David, and Elsje find themselves heavily involved in the Resistance. But helping the Jews and standing against the Nazis carries a cost–and for some, it will cost everything.
Trains and Tulips is extensively researched historical fiction with a plot built around the real historical facts of the war. While focusing on fictional characters, it is largely inspired by the true stories of World War II heroes such as Corrie ten Boom, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Hans Poley, Diet Eman, and Johanna Ruth Dobschiner.
When loving your neighbor could lead to prison or death, what do you do?
Can you still believe God is good when all you see is darkness?
On May 10th, 1940, Germany invades the Netherlands. And so begins five years of enemy occupation. Rules, rations, and curfews are implemented. Jews are discriminated against, banned from public places, forced to wear a yellow star, and then hauled off to concentration camps.
All twenty-year-old Pieter Knies wants is to continue studying theology at Utrecht University and one day become a pastor. But as time passes and the persecution of the Jews increases, it becomes harder for him to ignore the Nazis. He becomes convinced that Christ’s command to “love your neighbor” includes the Jews.
Gerrit Vogel, a cheerful, young farmer who hates injustice, is engaged to Pieter’s sister Marit. From the moment the Nazis first set foot in his country, he knows he cannot simply stand by and do nothing. Marit agrees, but what can they do?
David Meijer is a veterinary student at Utrecht University. But soon, he's no longer allowed at the university–because he is Jewish. And things only get worse. When his family is arrested, David goes to Gerrit for help, and now Gerrit and Marit know what they can do.
Elsje DeLong's life is turned upside down on her eighteenth birthday when a neighbor comes to her with a request: Will you take a Jewish baby and claim her as your own?
Soon Pieter, Gerrit, Marit, David, and Elsje find themselves heavily involved in the Resistance. But helping the Jews and standing against the Nazis carries a cost–and for some, it will cost everything.
Trains and Tulips is extensively researched historical fiction with a plot built around the real historical facts of the war. While focusing on fictional characters, it is largely inspired by the true stories of World War II heroes such as Corrie ten Boom, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Hans Poley, Diet Eman, and Johanna Ruth Dobschiner.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
Paperback
First published December 5, 2025
About the author
Savannah Jane McCrary
8 books35 followersSavannah Jane McCrary is an author, artist, history lover, and most importantly, a follower of Jesus passionate about creating beauty and spreading hope and light through her words and art. She is the author of several books for children and young adults. She’s experimented with a variety of genres but especially loves writing true stories and accurate historical fiction that points readers to the hope of the kingdom of heaven and reminds them that God is good.
The third born in an amazing family of seven children, Savannah was homeschooled all the way through and lives with her family in beautiful western Montana. Besides writing, drawing, reading, and researching, Savannah loves spending time with her family and their Bernese Mountain Dogs, going on adventures, enjoying God’s creation, getting together with old friends and meeting new ones, and cups of hot tea.
The third born in an amazing family of seven children, Savannah was homeschooled all the way through and lives with her family in beautiful western Montana. Besides writing, drawing, reading, and researching, Savannah loves spending time with her family and their Bernese Mountain Dogs, going on adventures, enjoying God’s creation, getting together with old friends and meeting new ones, and cups of hot tea.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 21, 2026
5 stars. Wow! I think the first thing to say is this book impressed me. My hat is off to the author for the amount of time she spent researching and writing this—mostly researching, because that was very obvious to me (I recognized a lot of pieces inspired by The Hiding Place, haha). I've read so many WWII novels, especially set in the Netherlands, and this one, I think, best covered the day-to-day life and decisions of christians during that period. This was well represented by the characters, from impulsive Marit, to stubborn Gerrit, to conscientious Pieter, to patient Elsje, to passionate David. Through their eyes and conversations you get to see how different people viewed the war and the resistance. While I didn't agree with the characters on everything, or how they chose to respond to certain things, I came away challenged, encouraged, touched, and with a lot to consider. I really really appreciated how much Christianity bled through the pages—these people were christians, and lived as christians, and it was refreshingly obvious. I also was very impressed by how the author managed to speak of the atrocities committed by the Nazis and impress the reader with the intensity and danger, she also didn't over-detail things, keeping this age-appropriate for a MG. Overall, I definitely recommend this novel, and I am so excited to hear of another WWII work by this author!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
April 2, 2026
I was unexpectedly asked to beta read Trains and Tulips; I didn't think I would be able to finish it by the deadline, due to life/work, but I agreed anyway. What I DIDN'T bargain on was finishing it in one day, and finding a new favorite author to boot. 😊
Oh, y'all, where to start? This is such a good book; so full of research, cool historical tidbits, lots of action, and solid spiritual messages. It totally gave A Bridge Too Far vibes (the part at the start of the movie with the Dutch Resistance family) - and yes, Market Garden does get a mention! I love that a few historical figures were mentioned in the story, as well as an actual cameo by Martin Niemoller. Many of the events were inspired by things that actually happened during the war, which is very cool! The quotes at the start of each chapter were so apropos, and the historical notes at the end were GOLD! I really love Savannah's heart in this book; she does honor to the heroes of the Resistance and pleads for the value of human life. Oh, and did I mention encouragement?? SO much light even in the worst places! 😭💕
There's a cast of five solid characters, but they're all distinct and never get confusing. I love their courage, self-sacrifice, and devotion; some lovely sibling dynamics, as well as an adorable engaged couple that never get too mushy even for me. 😊 I love how Savannah presents each character's different view on the situation, including a Jewish POV! (I don't know if I've read a book with a Jewish character before, but I feel like she handled everything very respectfully, and gave me a little insight into David's religious mindset.) Gerrit's character growth was really nice to see, and I loved how Marit supported him in his hard decisions and was willing to sacrifice to help him. I have MAJOR respect for Elsje - she's somewhat of a Mary figure, and it took a lot of bravery - of a different sort - to make the sacrifice she did (sorry, I'm trying to keep this spoiler-free, so I can't elaborate! 😆) And I love Pieter; the group's conscience, the steady voice of reason, a pastor-in-training who isn't afraid to live out the Word he preaches. (He rubs off on the others too! 😉)
I both grinned and teared up while reading. Multiple times.
I had to ask myself, how would I respond if I were in these characters' situation? What would I have done? And honestly, I don't know, because I've never faced anything like what they did. But I do know this; the same good God who guided them, gave them light in their darkness, and upheld them in distress, would be with me as well, because He never changes. 💕
Being war, there is violence; people get hurt, interrogated, shot, etc. But everything is kept appropriate and non-gory, which is a HUGE win! There are also scenes in concentration camps, but it never gets ugly, and it's written respectfully. So I would definitely recommend to a YA audience (probably PG-13 just due to the nature of war), though I think younger kids could also enjoy it alongside a parent. 🙂
One of my favorite lines comes from Pieter:
BEST. RESPONSE. EVER!!!!! ✊
Reread 2026 (prior to the blog party Savannah and I are co-hosting):
Just as good as it was before! There were so many parts that I wanted to cry but couldn't because mum was sitting right there 😭 And the color illustrations in my edition are BEAUTIFUL! 😍
Oh, y'all, where to start? This is such a good book; so full of research, cool historical tidbits, lots of action, and solid spiritual messages. It totally gave A Bridge Too Far vibes (the part at the start of the movie with the Dutch Resistance family) - and yes, Market Garden does get a mention! I love that a few historical figures were mentioned in the story, as well as an actual cameo by Martin Niemoller. Many of the events were inspired by things that actually happened during the war, which is very cool! The quotes at the start of each chapter were so apropos, and the historical notes at the end were GOLD! I really love Savannah's heart in this book; she does honor to the heroes of the Resistance and pleads for the value of human life. Oh, and did I mention encouragement?? SO much light even in the worst places! 😭💕
There's a cast of five solid characters, but they're all distinct and never get confusing. I love their courage, self-sacrifice, and devotion; some lovely sibling dynamics, as well as an adorable engaged couple that never get too mushy even for me. 😊 I love how Savannah presents each character's different view on the situation, including a Jewish POV! (I don't know if I've read a book with a Jewish character before, but I feel like she handled everything very respectfully, and gave me a little insight into David's religious mindset.) Gerrit's character growth was really nice to see, and I loved how Marit supported him in his hard decisions and was willing to sacrifice to help him. I have MAJOR respect for Elsje - she's somewhat of a Mary figure, and it took a lot of bravery - of a different sort - to make the sacrifice she did (sorry, I'm trying to keep this spoiler-free, so I can't elaborate! 😆) And I love Pieter; the group's conscience, the steady voice of reason, a pastor-in-training who isn't afraid to live out the Word he preaches. (He rubs off on the others too! 😉)
I both grinned and teared up while reading. Multiple times.
I had to ask myself, how would I respond if I were in these characters' situation? What would I have done? And honestly, I don't know, because I've never faced anything like what they did. But I do know this; the same good God who guided them, gave them light in their darkness, and upheld them in distress, would be with me as well, because He never changes. 💕
Being war, there is violence; people get hurt, interrogated, shot, etc. But everything is kept appropriate and non-gory, which is a HUGE win! There are also scenes in concentration camps, but it never gets ugly, and it's written respectfully. So I would definitely recommend to a YA audience (probably PG-13 just due to the nature of war), though I think younger kids could also enjoy it alongside a parent. 🙂
One of my favorite lines comes from Pieter:
BEST. RESPONSE. EVER!!!!! ✊
Reread 2026 (prior to the blog party Savannah and I are co-hosting):
Just as good as it was before! There were so many parts that I wanted to cry but couldn't because mum was sitting right there 😭 And the color illustrations in my edition are BEAUTIFUL! 😍
May 18, 2026
Ok so i finished this book and oh yeah DEFINITELY a Five star. And yes I am starting it over again immediately after finishing cuz i am not ready to leave this book yet. Which sort of sounds weird to say about a Holocaust book.
I love the quotes at the beginning of each chapter and how much research went into this book. I've read Corrie Ten Boom's story in *The Hiding Place* a handful of times so i definitely saw a lot of similarities.
Interestingly enough, there were a handful of things in this book that have re-enforced or reminded me of things I've been learning on a personal level.
I love the book swag that came with the book, and the packaging. 😊 Brown paper package tied up with strings.
And this is a THICK book. The cover texture is also nice.
And all the extras at the back, about historical characters that influenced the fictional characters, all the historical events referenced and giving even more backstory was AWESOME! That's something i definitely love about Historical fiction.
Aaaaand now i have a whole nother list of similar books to add to my TBR because of all the books listed as references by Savanah.
I'd say this book is great, whether you are reading it for the historical factor, the Fictional writing, or the Spiritual aspects. Y'all NEED to read this book. 😁
I love the quotes at the beginning of each chapter and how much research went into this book. I've read Corrie Ten Boom's story in *The Hiding Place* a handful of times so i definitely saw a lot of similarities.
Interestingly enough, there were a handful of things in this book that have re-enforced or reminded me of things I've been learning on a personal level.
I love the book swag that came with the book, and the packaging. 😊 Brown paper package tied up with strings.
And this is a THICK book. The cover texture is also nice.
And all the extras at the back, about historical characters that influenced the fictional characters, all the historical events referenced and giving even more backstory was AWESOME! That's something i definitely love about Historical fiction.
Aaaaand now i have a whole nother list of similar books to add to my TBR because of all the books listed as references by Savanah.
I'd say this book is great, whether you are reading it for the historical factor, the Fictional writing, or the Spiritual aspects. Y'all NEED to read this book. 😁
August 6, 2025
Trains and Tulips is an extremely well-researched novel with deep themes and a cast of delightful characters. In this stirring tale, Savannah Jane McCrary allows the reader to experience both the tragedies and the triumphs of life in the Netherlands during WWII. She tackles difficult topics sensitively, creating an educational story that the whole family can enjoy!
Read
December 5, 2025Hello friends! Here’s my official author review!
But first, today (December 5th) is release day!!!
You can order the e-book on Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G3STBH2G/
The paperback on Amazon or Barnes & Noble:
https://www.amazon.com/Trains-Tulips-...
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/trai...
Or special edition signed books directly from me!
https://back40enterprises.square.site/
Now onto my author review of the book!
Highlights:
🚂World War II historical fiction from a Christian perspective
🌷hope amid darkness
🚂focused on action, not romance
🌷inspired by true stories
🚂extensively researched for historical accuracy
🌷featuring five point of view characters, three boys and two girls
🚂heroes who are ordinary people, yet exhibit extraordinary courage, self-sacrifice, and faith
🌷strong family relationships
If you enjoy the stories of World War II heroes such as Corrie ten Boom, Hans Poley, Diet Eman, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, or if you like World War II historical fiction books such as Journey Through the Night by Anne DeVries, The Auschwitz Escape by Joel C. Rosenberg, or The Resistance by Douglas Bond, then you just might enjoy this book! 📖
Content description:
Obviously, this book is about World War II and the Holocaust, so it deals with some heavy topics–war, anti-semitism, concentration camps, executions, etc. While there are some very sad parts and characters face some serious moral dilemmas (such as: when is it justifiable to kill to save others?), I refrained from going into graphic detail and tried to keep it appropriate for readers as young as early teens. I was homeschooled and have many fond memories of my parents reading aloud to me and my siblings, and I still enjoy read-alouds with my family. My vision for this book includes teens and adults enjoying it on their own or with family and friends, and younger kids reading it with a parent. Overall, it’s a very clean read, but I know it won’t be for everyone! Here is a detailed content breakdown, so you can see for yourself if it would be a good fit for you/your family!
Spiritual Elements: This book is written from an unashamedly biblical Christian worldview perspective. While I’m non denominational, I made most of my characters be Dutch Reformed Christians, as the vast majority of Protestant Christians in the Netherlands at this time were members of the Dutch Reformed Church (which is very similar to the Presbyterian Church). Characters pray, read the Bible, talk freely about God, quote Scripture and the catechism, and wrestle with difficult spiritual and moral questions. I also do represent other belief systems in the book including Orthodox Judaism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Communism, and secular humanism.
Violence: Most of the violence is only implied or talked about, not actually shown “onscreen,” so to speak. Characters talk about how the Nazis are killing Jews and people with disabilities, including children, but it’s never shown, and no details are given. One character also tells another about the medical experiments the Nazis are doing on prisoners. What we actually “see onscreen” includes a couple of shootouts between Dutch Resistance fighters and Nazis, a few executions by shooting (not graphic), a few young men and boys are beaten up, and depictions of hunger and sickness in concentration camps.
Sexual and romantic content: Very little and nothing at all graphic or inappropriate. Two of the main characters are a young engaged couple, but while it’s obvious they love each other, the romance is not the main focus of the story, and a hug is the farthest any physical affection goes. A teenage girl pretends she had a child outside of marriage in order to protect the child which leads to a few awkward conversations, but again, there’s nothing graphic or inappropriate.
Language: No foul language. A few characters refer to a concentration camp as being “like hell.” Nazis make anti-semitic remarks and derogatory comments about people with disabilities. The Dutch have a few derogatory names for Nazis.
Drug and alcohol content: A few mentions of drinking alcohol and brief smoking of cigarettes (both portrayed negatively.)
Other noteworthy elements: A character very briefly, in a moment of despair, almost wishes to die, but quickly regains his will to live. Characters (often after quite a bit of wrestling over what the right thing to do is) lie, steal, and kill in order to save others.
The heart behind this book 🧡
There are several reasons I chose to write about this time period, but I will share here two of the main reasons I am so passionate about sharing the stories of World War II and the Holocaust and a bit of the heart behind this story.
I want to remind people that God is good and give them hope. 🌷
As I’ve read the stories of real heroes from World War II, one of the things that has stood out to me the most is how they kept hoping, kept believing in the goodness of God, in even the very darkest of circumstances. They found beauty and light in even the worst places and never stopped hoping. I personally have experienced the goodness of God and the incredible hope and joy and peace that comes from trusting Him, and I want to share that with my readers.
I want to remind people that life is valuable. 💐
Another of my biggest takeaways from my World War II heroes is that every life is precious.
During World War II, the Nazis sought to exterminate Jews, the disabled, and anyone else they deemed “unfit.” Two-thirds of the Jewish population as a whole in Europe were killed by the Nazis, and approximately 90% of Jewish children in Europe were murdered. Thousands of disabled children and adults, Russians, Romani people, and others were also systematically killed. This is a horrific tragedy that should not be forgotten.
While there were many Christians in Europe who did nothing in the face of such evil, there were also many Christians such as Corrie ten Boom, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Hans Poley, Diet Eman, and others who worked to rescue those persecuted by the Nazis and spread the truth that God values life.
While today, we thankfully don’t have concentration camps and gas chambers, there is a disturbing disregard for human life, evidenced in the wide acceptance of abortion, human euthanasia, and doctor-assisted suicide. And in the past few years, anti-semitism and crimes against Jews have risen alarmingly.
All of this convinces me that these stories must be told. We must remember and learn from our history. While the practicals will look different for us than they did for the Dutch Resistance during World War II, as we’re not living in an enemy-occupied country in wartime, we can still work to rescue the needy and vulnerable as they did. I desire to use my writing to be a voice for those who have no voice–the unborn, the sick, the elderly, the orphan, the persecuted, the enslaved, those with special needs. I want to share the truth that every life is created by God in His image, and therefore, has great value.
Lest you think this story is all seriousness, though, let me assure you that there is humor interspersed in it as well! I like to describe my writing as “infused with a hearty dose of hope, truth, and beauty, plus a dash of humor.” I love to laugh and think serious subjects should be lightened up with a bit of fun! 😀
But first, today (December 5th) is release day!!!
You can order the e-book on Amazon here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G3STBH2G/
The paperback on Amazon or Barnes & Noble:
https://www.amazon.com/Trains-Tulips-...
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/trai...
Or special edition signed books directly from me!
https://back40enterprises.square.site/
Now onto my author review of the book!
Highlights:
🚂World War II historical fiction from a Christian perspective
🌷hope amid darkness
🚂focused on action, not romance
🌷inspired by true stories
🚂extensively researched for historical accuracy
🌷featuring five point of view characters, three boys and two girls
🚂heroes who are ordinary people, yet exhibit extraordinary courage, self-sacrifice, and faith
🌷strong family relationships
If you enjoy the stories of World War II heroes such as Corrie ten Boom, Hans Poley, Diet Eman, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, or if you like World War II historical fiction books such as Journey Through the Night by Anne DeVries, The Auschwitz Escape by Joel C. Rosenberg, or The Resistance by Douglas Bond, then you just might enjoy this book! 📖
Content description:
Obviously, this book is about World War II and the Holocaust, so it deals with some heavy topics–war, anti-semitism, concentration camps, executions, etc. While there are some very sad parts and characters face some serious moral dilemmas (such as: when is it justifiable to kill to save others?), I refrained from going into graphic detail and tried to keep it appropriate for readers as young as early teens. I was homeschooled and have many fond memories of my parents reading aloud to me and my siblings, and I still enjoy read-alouds with my family. My vision for this book includes teens and adults enjoying it on their own or with family and friends, and younger kids reading it with a parent. Overall, it’s a very clean read, but I know it won’t be for everyone! Here is a detailed content breakdown, so you can see for yourself if it would be a good fit for you/your family!
Spiritual Elements: This book is written from an unashamedly biblical Christian worldview perspective. While I’m non denominational, I made most of my characters be Dutch Reformed Christians, as the vast majority of Protestant Christians in the Netherlands at this time were members of the Dutch Reformed Church (which is very similar to the Presbyterian Church). Characters pray, read the Bible, talk freely about God, quote Scripture and the catechism, and wrestle with difficult spiritual and moral questions. I also do represent other belief systems in the book including Orthodox Judaism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Communism, and secular humanism.
Violence: Most of the violence is only implied or talked about, not actually shown “onscreen,” so to speak. Characters talk about how the Nazis are killing Jews and people with disabilities, including children, but it’s never shown, and no details are given. One character also tells another about the medical experiments the Nazis are doing on prisoners. What we actually “see onscreen” includes a couple of shootouts between Dutch Resistance fighters and Nazis, a few executions by shooting (not graphic), a few young men and boys are beaten up, and depictions of hunger and sickness in concentration camps.
Sexual and romantic content: Very little and nothing at all graphic or inappropriate. Two of the main characters are a young engaged couple, but while it’s obvious they love each other, the romance is not the main focus of the story, and a hug is the farthest any physical affection goes. A teenage girl pretends she had a child outside of marriage in order to protect the child which leads to a few awkward conversations, but again, there’s nothing graphic or inappropriate.
Language: No foul language. A few characters refer to a concentration camp as being “like hell.” Nazis make anti-semitic remarks and derogatory comments about people with disabilities. The Dutch have a few derogatory names for Nazis.
Drug and alcohol content: A few mentions of drinking alcohol and brief smoking of cigarettes (both portrayed negatively.)
Other noteworthy elements: A character very briefly, in a moment of despair, almost wishes to die, but quickly regains his will to live. Characters (often after quite a bit of wrestling over what the right thing to do is) lie, steal, and kill in order to save others.
The heart behind this book 🧡
There are several reasons I chose to write about this time period, but I will share here two of the main reasons I am so passionate about sharing the stories of World War II and the Holocaust and a bit of the heart behind this story.
I want to remind people that God is good and give them hope. 🌷
As I’ve read the stories of real heroes from World War II, one of the things that has stood out to me the most is how they kept hoping, kept believing in the goodness of God, in even the very darkest of circumstances. They found beauty and light in even the worst places and never stopped hoping. I personally have experienced the goodness of God and the incredible hope and joy and peace that comes from trusting Him, and I want to share that with my readers.
I want to remind people that life is valuable. 💐
Another of my biggest takeaways from my World War II heroes is that every life is precious.
During World War II, the Nazis sought to exterminate Jews, the disabled, and anyone else they deemed “unfit.” Two-thirds of the Jewish population as a whole in Europe were killed by the Nazis, and approximately 90% of Jewish children in Europe were murdered. Thousands of disabled children and adults, Russians, Romani people, and others were also systematically killed. This is a horrific tragedy that should not be forgotten.
While there were many Christians in Europe who did nothing in the face of such evil, there were also many Christians such as Corrie ten Boom, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Hans Poley, Diet Eman, and others who worked to rescue those persecuted by the Nazis and spread the truth that God values life.
While today, we thankfully don’t have concentration camps and gas chambers, there is a disturbing disregard for human life, evidenced in the wide acceptance of abortion, human euthanasia, and doctor-assisted suicide. And in the past few years, anti-semitism and crimes against Jews have risen alarmingly.
All of this convinces me that these stories must be told. We must remember and learn from our history. While the practicals will look different for us than they did for the Dutch Resistance during World War II, as we’re not living in an enemy-occupied country in wartime, we can still work to rescue the needy and vulnerable as they did. I desire to use my writing to be a voice for those who have no voice–the unborn, the sick, the elderly, the orphan, the persecuted, the enslaved, those with special needs. I want to share the truth that every life is created by God in His image, and therefore, has great value.
Lest you think this story is all seriousness, though, let me assure you that there is humor interspersed in it as well! I like to describe my writing as “infused with a hearty dose of hope, truth, and beauty, plus a dash of humor.” I love to laugh and think serious subjects should be lightened up with a bit of fun! 😀
January 31, 2026
The Netherlands isn't a place I often think of when I'm looking for stories set in WWII, but this book not only aroused curiosity; it revealed an in-depth look at the world of college aged men and women at the time of the Nazi occupation, and the sheer bravery, love, and compassion that can be exhibited in the worst of circumstances.
I loved McCrary's unique cast of characters, showing perspectives from all sorts of walks of life that all intertwine together into a marvelous story, though my favorite had to be Pieter. He reminded me a lot of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and his kind, soft nature was truly refreshing. Other characters included his determined sister, Marit, a reckless farmer named Gerrit (poor guy), and a Jewish veterinary student, David. McCrary completely immerses you in the worlds of these wonderfully broken people. The messages are also beautiful, reminding us that ultimately not even death is as strong as God, and that we have a reason for hope no matter what. And that's an incredible feat, seeing as many of these sweet characters went through horrible things and one in particular doesn't live to see the other side!
I also can't leave without mentioning just HOW MUCH I loved the attention to detail both during the story and in the design of the book. If you're like me and love to have good indexes and maps while reading, this books absolutely delivers. There are maps of the countries involved, a word and character index, and art throughout as well as a few pages featuring good books for further reading. It excited the homeschooler in me, and personally, if you are a homeschool mom looking for a book for your teen, let me go ahead and say that this is a wonderful novel that I think would appeal to homeschooled teens at large.
Content warnings: characters are tortured, mentions of off-screen violence by the Nazis, mild romance. This book was completely clean, and anyone who has studied the Holocaust would be comfortable reading this.
I loved McCrary's unique cast of characters, showing perspectives from all sorts of walks of life that all intertwine together into a marvelous story, though my favorite had to be Pieter. He reminded me a lot of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and his kind, soft nature was truly refreshing. Other characters included his determined sister, Marit, a reckless farmer named Gerrit (poor guy), and a Jewish veterinary student, David. McCrary completely immerses you in the worlds of these wonderfully broken people. The messages are also beautiful, reminding us that ultimately not even death is as strong as God, and that we have a reason for hope no matter what. And that's an incredible feat, seeing as many of these sweet characters went through horrible things and one in particular doesn't live to see the other side!
I also can't leave without mentioning just HOW MUCH I loved the attention to detail both during the story and in the design of the book. If you're like me and love to have good indexes and maps while reading, this books absolutely delivers. There are maps of the countries involved, a word and character index, and art throughout as well as a few pages featuring good books for further reading. It excited the homeschooler in me, and personally, if you are a homeschool mom looking for a book for your teen, let me go ahead and say that this is a wonderful novel that I think would appeal to homeschooled teens at large.
Content warnings: characters are tortured, mentions of off-screen violence by the Nazis, mild romance. This book was completely clean, and anyone who has studied the Holocaust would be comfortable reading this.
March 23, 2026
Well, what can I say about this book besides the fact that I loved every minute of it? You can really tell the author did her research; there was much in this book that I knew from reading other books like God's Smuggler and The Hiding Place but there was also a lot of information I didn't know and it was very interesting. The story is rich in history without being an info dump or dry and boring. This was especially unique because I don't recall hearing much about how the War effected the Netherlands before now. I also greatly appreciated the pronunciation guide for the unfamiliar words and referred back to it often until I got the hang of the pronunciations.
It is told from a handful of perspectives (A Jew, a theology student, a farmer, a newly engaged young woman, and a girl fresh out of highschool) which was a really neat way to show how the war effected different people. A fun little tidbit that I found intriguing (whether intentional or not on the part of the author) is that each character starts off with a goal/dream in mind and by the end of the book those have changed or morphed in one way or the other. I think its a wonderful example of character arcs. Also, can we talk about how much the illustrations added to this book? I don't think anyone is too old to have pictures in the book they're reading and these were an extra delight to the story.
Now moving on to The Great American Wildlife Rating Scale (1 being the least and 5 being the greatest)
2 Wolverines for concerning content
I give this a 2 because while there isn't exactly concerning content, there is content that might need some parental guidance for younger readers. It is a historically accurate depiction of World War 2 under Nazi occupation and, while the author left out many of the atrocities done during that time, there are still incidents in the story which might be upsetting for certain readers. I am talking about the mention of a baby being killed in cold blood, experiments by the Nazis perpetuated on the Jews, and people being shot by firing squad.
3 Grizzlies for violence/gore
Again, this is a war book. The violence isn't graphic per se, but it is present. Mentions of blood, shooting/killing, punching, kicking are frequent but not in great detail.
5 Bison for the moral behind the story
This book had fantastic morals. I'd say the underlying theme was ultimately trusting God completely and relying on Him day to day. I also enjoyed the moral dilemmas the characters faced in considering whether standing up against the Nazis was something God would approve of or not. I have no qualms with the morals in this book and I think they were woven in very well along with plenty of scriptural references. (References tended to be in NKJV which, technically wouldn't be accurate for the time period but it does make it more understandable for some audiences. As a personal preference, I prefer KJV but given the alternatives NKJV is better than some of the other versions)
5 Bobcats for plot/storyline
Absolutely top-notch. There were many twists which suprised me. I had at one point thought that the author had chickened out in saving a character but she later proved to me that she has no problem disposing of main characters. And honestly, I respect that a lot.
3 Mountain Goats for joy and happy things
I think the author did a good job shining a light in the darkness of war without making it unrealistic. It's a heavy time but there was still joy in little things; the kind that comes from knowing Jesus.
4 Moose for reading difficulty
In my opinion this is a more advanced book so I wouldn't give it to anyone below the age of 15. I think it would be a great read-along for a homeschool project where there could be ample discussion for a younger audience to fully understand the circumstances in the book. Outside of that sort of setting, I think 15 would be the youngest age I would give it to.
Bonus: Shock Opossums for things that I didn't see coming that knocked me out of my seat
There were Shock Opossums in this book! At least 3, that I can remember. I--who never cries over books--probably spent a solid three chapters reading through teary eyes. So, thank you for that.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Trains and Tulips and I will be revisiting it in the years to come. I would definitely recommend this book to anybody who loves a bit of history that is written in an engaging way.
It is told from a handful of perspectives (A Jew, a theology student, a farmer, a newly engaged young woman, and a girl fresh out of highschool) which was a really neat way to show how the war effected different people. A fun little tidbit that I found intriguing (whether intentional or not on the part of the author) is that each character starts off with a goal/dream in mind and by the end of the book those have changed or morphed in one way or the other. I think its a wonderful example of character arcs. Also, can we talk about how much the illustrations added to this book? I don't think anyone is too old to have pictures in the book they're reading and these were an extra delight to the story.
Now moving on to The Great American Wildlife Rating Scale (1 being the least and 5 being the greatest)
2 Wolverines for concerning content
I give this a 2 because while there isn't exactly concerning content, there is content that might need some parental guidance for younger readers. It is a historically accurate depiction of World War 2 under Nazi occupation and, while the author left out many of the atrocities done during that time, there are still incidents in the story which might be upsetting for certain readers. I am talking about the mention of a baby being killed in cold blood, experiments by the Nazis perpetuated on the Jews, and people being shot by firing squad.
3 Grizzlies for violence/gore
Again, this is a war book. The violence isn't graphic per se, but it is present. Mentions of blood, shooting/killing, punching, kicking are frequent but not in great detail.
5 Bison for the moral behind the story
This book had fantastic morals. I'd say the underlying theme was ultimately trusting God completely and relying on Him day to day. I also enjoyed the moral dilemmas the characters faced in considering whether standing up against the Nazis was something God would approve of or not. I have no qualms with the morals in this book and I think they were woven in very well along with plenty of scriptural references. (References tended to be in NKJV which, technically wouldn't be accurate for the time period but it does make it more understandable for some audiences. As a personal preference, I prefer KJV but given the alternatives NKJV is better than some of the other versions)
5 Bobcats for plot/storyline
Absolutely top-notch. There were many twists which suprised me. I had at one point thought that the author had chickened out in saving a character but she later proved to me that she has no problem disposing of main characters. And honestly, I respect that a lot.
3 Mountain Goats for joy and happy things
I think the author did a good job shining a light in the darkness of war without making it unrealistic. It's a heavy time but there was still joy in little things; the kind that comes from knowing Jesus.
4 Moose for reading difficulty
In my opinion this is a more advanced book so I wouldn't give it to anyone below the age of 15. I think it would be a great read-along for a homeschool project where there could be ample discussion for a younger audience to fully understand the circumstances in the book. Outside of that sort of setting, I think 15 would be the youngest age I would give it to.
Bonus: Shock Opossums for things that I didn't see coming that knocked me out of my seat
There were Shock Opossums in this book! At least 3, that I can remember. I--who never cries over books--probably spent a solid three chapters reading through teary eyes. So, thank you for that.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Trains and Tulips and I will be revisiting it in the years to come. I would definitely recommend this book to anybody who loves a bit of history that is written in an engaging way.
December 17, 2025
There were a lot of things about this book that I enjoyed, but my favorite of them all was simply the respect and love with which it was written.
I have read a fairly large number of Christian historical fiction books, and I have gotten very tired of casually written books that promote harsh and/or hurtful worldviews that disrespect the historical times and people they are written about. I’ve also read a large number of Christian books that show God as a sort of magical lottery ticket that turns horrible circumstances into sunshine and flowers.
And so it delights me to say that this book is none of the above. The care with which it was written was absolutely lovely, and I nearly cried in several occasions while reading it — a rarity for me. It was moving, as a good WWII story is, but never in a way that left me depressed and heavy as so many books do. I greatly appreciated the author’s gentleness and focus on light even in incredibly dark times.
There were no shortcuts or easy ways out for the characters, just like in real life, and yet they still found ways to focus on the goodness of God, even when their lives were torn apart. I loved that. I loved how honest and truthful it was, and I loved how it was also very encouraging. This book found me at just the right time.
Also, this a side note to say that while I don’t normally enjoy illustrations in a book, the illustrations in this book were absolutely lovely and complemented the story perfectly. :)
I have read a fairly large number of Christian historical fiction books, and I have gotten very tired of casually written books that promote harsh and/or hurtful worldviews that disrespect the historical times and people they are written about. I’ve also read a large number of Christian books that show God as a sort of magical lottery ticket that turns horrible circumstances into sunshine and flowers.
And so it delights me to say that this book is none of the above. The care with which it was written was absolutely lovely, and I nearly cried in several occasions while reading it — a rarity for me. It was moving, as a good WWII story is, but never in a way that left me depressed and heavy as so many books do. I greatly appreciated the author’s gentleness and focus on light even in incredibly dark times.
There were no shortcuts or easy ways out for the characters, just like in real life, and yet they still found ways to focus on the goodness of God, even when their lives were torn apart. I loved that. I loved how honest and truthful it was, and I loved how it was also very encouraging. This book found me at just the right time.
Also, this a side note to say that while I don’t normally enjoy illustrations in a book, the illustrations in this book were absolutely lovely and complemented the story perfectly. :)
January 10, 2026
(Note: while I was on the street team for Trains and Tulips, and was requested to write a review, this review is comprised entirely of my own opinion, and I tried hard to be as honest as possible in sharing my thoughts.)
I will admit, it took me quite a while to get into this book.
The head-hopping was a little disorienting, even with the character headings, and it was written in a very different style to what I'd been expecting. It took me two weeks to get through the first few chapters... but then it took me only two days to finish it.
And, as you may have noticed, I've marked it as a four-star read.
Yes, it was a rough start. But it was a rough start worth struggling through.
First up, content warnings. I've hidden these in the spoilers, so that you can choose whether or not you want to read them.
I personally think that these topics were managed very delicately. I appreciate that different points of view were shown, and that biblical viewpoints were provided.
Now for a quick summary:
Trains and Tulips is the story of five young men and women in the Netherlands during World War Two. Pieter, who is studying to be a minister; his sister Marit and her fiance Gerrit; David, a Jew and a friend of Gerrit and Pieter; and Elsje, a young girl put into a difficult situation when she is asked to claim a Jewish baby as her own.
This story tells of their struggles to do the right thing, no matter the cost.
Other than the expected war topics, this book was surprisingly clean. There was no explicit romance, and no foul language. It was very clearly written from a Christian viewpoint, to the extent that it might be labelled preachy, but it didn't bother me too much since it always felt relevant to he story.
The main things that bothered me were, as I've already said, the head-hopping... and the formatting. It may have been because I was reading an ebook, but the formatting took a while to get used to. I would have appreciated an extra line break between switching characters.
But beyond this, Trains and Tulips was a thought-provoking and beautiful read. It was wonderfully researched! I enjoyed the extensive explanations in the back of the book. And though the perspective-swapping was a little disorienting at first, it felt natural towards the end. I fell in love with the characters - some of them to the point that I wish they had more time in the story - and will admit there were a few scenes that had me almost in tears.
Now for some spoilers, because I want to talk about the actual characters and events!
I recommend Trains and Tulips to ages 13 and up, for history fans, and especially fans of books like The Hiding Place: The Triumphant True Story of Corrie Ten Boom and God's Smuggler.
Great work, Savannah Jane McCrary, on this book!
I look forward to seeing what comes next.
I will admit, it took me quite a while to get into this book.
The head-hopping was a little disorienting, even with the character headings, and it was written in a very different style to what I'd been expecting. It took me two weeks to get through the first few chapters... but then it took me only two days to finish it.
And, as you may have noticed, I've marked it as a four-star read.
Yes, it was a rough start. But it was a rough start worth struggling through.
First up, content warnings. I've hidden these in the spoilers, so that you can choose whether or not you want to read them.
I personally think that these topics were managed very delicately. I appreciate that different points of view were shown, and that biblical viewpoints were provided.
Now for a quick summary:
Trains and Tulips is the story of five young men and women in the Netherlands during World War Two. Pieter, who is studying to be a minister; his sister Marit and her fiance Gerrit; David, a Jew and a friend of Gerrit and Pieter; and Elsje, a young girl put into a difficult situation when she is asked to claim a Jewish baby as her own.
This story tells of their struggles to do the right thing, no matter the cost.
Other than the expected war topics, this book was surprisingly clean. There was no explicit romance, and no foul language. It was very clearly written from a Christian viewpoint, to the extent that it might be labelled preachy, but it didn't bother me too much since it always felt relevant to he story.
The main things that bothered me were, as I've already said, the head-hopping... and the formatting. It may have been because I was reading an ebook, but the formatting took a while to get used to. I would have appreciated an extra line break between switching characters.
But beyond this, Trains and Tulips was a thought-provoking and beautiful read. It was wonderfully researched! I enjoyed the extensive explanations in the back of the book. And though the perspective-swapping was a little disorienting at first, it felt natural towards the end. I fell in love with the characters - some of them to the point that I wish they had more time in the story - and will admit there were a few scenes that had me almost in tears.
Now for some spoilers, because I want to talk about the actual characters and events!
I recommend Trains and Tulips to ages 13 and up, for history fans, and especially fans of books like The Hiding Place: The Triumphant True Story of Corrie Ten Boom and God's Smuggler.
Great work, Savannah Jane McCrary, on this book!
I look forward to seeing what comes next.
February 28, 2026
A book that includes five different viewpoints? A book that spans the entirety of World War II in the Netherlands? I wasn't entirely certain when I decided to give Trains and Tulips a go, but in the end, I was pleased by how the author handled the intersecting storylines. It obviously took some work for her to bring everything together as well as she did.
Trains and Tulips is a story of the Dutch Resistance to Hitler's overtake of the Netherlands. A lot of history was woven into the book, but the character-focus helped keep the story moving. The variety of characters and the glimpses they gave into different parts of the resistance was perhaps the best thing about this book.
The faith content was another gem. Strong, Christ-centered books are always a joy to discover, and Savannah did an excellent job of bringing Scripture to the front and center of this story.
Lastly, the history was remarkable. This is not a book that was tossed into the world without much thought. The research alone must have taken an incredible amount of time. I loved the author's note where all the little nods to real people and events were revealed.
I'd recommend this book to readers age 14 and up. Things to note if you want to give this book to a young reader: There are some intense parts (this is war, after all, and while the main characters are on the homefront, they still have a role in resisting the Nazis. Sometimes that can involve death). The author handled these scenes well, but readers who are more sensitive to violence will want to be aware of that. Also, the ending is happy, but there is a mixture of sadness in there, which makes the story realistic, but also weighs into which of my younger siblings I'd consider ready for the story. The reading level will also require what I'd consider moderate skill. Perhaps the best way to say it is that this is the book you could give your young reader as a level up from books written by Janet and Geoff Benje. There are a lot of similarities, but this book is perhaps a little deeper (and congratulations to anyone who understands the Benje reference. I'd guess you're involved in homeschooling.).
Again, I really enjoyed this book and plan to share it with my family as I feel the younger readers are ready. The story is an excellent mixture of faith, strong characters, and history.
Trains and Tulips is a story of the Dutch Resistance to Hitler's overtake of the Netherlands. A lot of history was woven into the book, but the character-focus helped keep the story moving. The variety of characters and the glimpses they gave into different parts of the resistance was perhaps the best thing about this book.
The faith content was another gem. Strong, Christ-centered books are always a joy to discover, and Savannah did an excellent job of bringing Scripture to the front and center of this story.
Lastly, the history was remarkable. This is not a book that was tossed into the world without much thought. The research alone must have taken an incredible amount of time. I loved the author's note where all the little nods to real people and events were revealed.
I'd recommend this book to readers age 14 and up. Things to note if you want to give this book to a young reader: There are some intense parts (this is war, after all, and while the main characters are on the homefront, they still have a role in resisting the Nazis. Sometimes that can involve death). The author handled these scenes well, but readers who are more sensitive to violence will want to be aware of that. Also, the ending is happy, but there is a mixture of sadness in there, which makes the story realistic, but also weighs into which of my younger siblings I'd consider ready for the story. The reading level will also require what I'd consider moderate skill. Perhaps the best way to say it is that this is the book you could give your young reader as a level up from books written by Janet and Geoff Benje. There are a lot of similarities, but this book is perhaps a little deeper (and congratulations to anyone who understands the Benje reference. I'd guess you're involved in homeschooling.).
Again, I really enjoyed this book and plan to share it with my family as I feel the younger readers are ready. The story is an excellent mixture of faith, strong characters, and history.
November 26, 2025
This is an amazing book! I read it in nearly one day and loved all of it! I loved how the author used so many real-life events in her story, and I recognized a lot of them from the books The Hiding Place and Selected to Live, which was neat! I loved how it had so many different characters to show different perspectives and I connected with all them so much! I loved all the main characters so it's hard to pick a favorite, but if I had to it would be either David or Garrit.
It was a serious book, but I loved how there was humor interspersed in it and I loved the relationships between all the characters. One of my favorite humorous scenes is probably the part where David and Garrit are stitching the goat up. :)
Some of my favorite more serious scenes are where Pieter and Karl are talking before Karl's execution, as well as Garrit's courage in face of his execution. I love how throughout the whole book the author's main point is that the light still shines even in the darkest times.
I also loved all the drawings throughout the book. This is a book that will be on my list to get the hardcopy at some point! I'd recommend it to my friends and family, and I look forward to reading more books by the same author!
It was a serious book, but I loved how there was humor interspersed in it and I loved the relationships between all the characters. One of my favorite humorous scenes is probably the part where David and Garrit are stitching the goat up. :)
Some of my favorite more serious scenes are where Pieter and Karl are talking before Karl's execution, as well as Garrit's courage in face of his execution. I love how throughout the whole book the author's main point is that the light still shines even in the darkest times.
I also loved all the drawings throughout the book. This is a book that will be on my list to get the hardcopy at some point! I'd recommend it to my friends and family, and I look forward to reading more books by the same author!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2026
"What is faith supposed to do in times like these?"
This book is steeped in history and true stories. I loved the main characters and how they had to wrestle through very hard moral questions.
"Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for tithing mint, anus, and cumin but neglecting the weightier matters of the law- justice, mercy and faith.... I don't want to stand before Christ and say, 'Well, Lord, I never lied to the Germans or stole from them, but I didn't do anything to stop Your people from being slaughtered.'...when our hearts are right before God and we're seeking to love our neighbor, there is great freedom."
This book is steeped in history and true stories. I loved the main characters and how they had to wrestle through very hard moral questions.
"Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for tithing mint, anus, and cumin but neglecting the weightier matters of the law- justice, mercy and faith.... I don't want to stand before Christ and say, 'Well, Lord, I never lied to the Germans or stole from them, but I didn't do anything to stop Your people from being slaughtered.'...when our hearts are right before God and we're seeking to love our neighbor, there is great freedom."
January 30, 2026
Christian WW2 Fiction's newest family book hits the world!
While I did have to put this book down for a time (it was too heavy for me emotionally) and so have yet to finish it, I wanted to get my review of it so far out in time for the launch :)
Shining Strength: Savannah’s research knows no bounds! You get a through deep-dive into the Dutch experience as WW2 is declared, and from multiple points of views.
Characters: There was a lot! But you warm up to each one as it goes, and learn more about them so they are each their own person, too. The way they all interacted felt like in an old back and white WW2 movie!
Especially interesting: Elsje with the baby-this was a stunning premise, one I wonder if actually took place (or takes place) in real life. I wanted a whole book to be centred around Elsje and this great responsibility so we could get more detail!
Personal Age Rage Ranking: I got a bit heavy at times of reading this,, but other than intense and tenderly handled tragic situations, Trains and Tulips is clean and wholesome, so may be more of “where you are emotionally/mentally rather than an age range. I know 12 year olds who could breeze through this but I would not have wanted to read it until my mid or later teens.
The Illustrations: It was cool to see a book with colour illustrations hit the Christian his pic world! My favourite is the one where they are ice skating, though I had a few. I would love to see what Savannah’s work looks like with watercolour, I think that would be LUSH! Maybe in her next book (hint, hint). But no, it’s amazing to see how much creativity got put into this. <3
If going by how much I care about the characters so far, I'll be crying by the end. It's impressive how long this is, but to make it more approachable and easy to follow for more readers, a slightly tighter working may have served it well. But I know some teens LOVE fat books, with lots of layers, so that could eb a massive perk fro some folk! :D
Overall this is a very educational, full-bodied novel you are sure to become very much invested in. Fans of Robert Elmer, Jessica Glasner, and good WW2 film dramas should give it a try! :)
Note: I was given a free e-copy in exchange for a review. This review is entirely from my own experience and opinions.
While I did have to put this book down for a time (it was too heavy for me emotionally) and so have yet to finish it, I wanted to get my review of it so far out in time for the launch :)
Shining Strength: Savannah’s research knows no bounds! You get a through deep-dive into the Dutch experience as WW2 is declared, and from multiple points of views.
Characters: There was a lot! But you warm up to each one as it goes, and learn more about them so they are each their own person, too. The way they all interacted felt like in an old back and white WW2 movie!
Especially interesting: Elsje with the baby-this was a stunning premise, one I wonder if actually took place (or takes place) in real life. I wanted a whole book to be centred around Elsje and this great responsibility so we could get more detail!
Personal Age Rage Ranking: I got a bit heavy at times of reading this,, but other than intense and tenderly handled tragic situations, Trains and Tulips is clean and wholesome, so may be more of “where you are emotionally/mentally rather than an age range. I know 12 year olds who could breeze through this but I would not have wanted to read it until my mid or later teens.
The Illustrations: It was cool to see a book with colour illustrations hit the Christian his pic world! My favourite is the one where they are ice skating, though I had a few. I would love to see what Savannah’s work looks like with watercolour, I think that would be LUSH! Maybe in her next book (hint, hint). But no, it’s amazing to see how much creativity got put into this. <3
If going by how much I care about the characters so far, I'll be crying by the end. It's impressive how long this is, but to make it more approachable and easy to follow for more readers, a slightly tighter working may have served it well. But I know some teens LOVE fat books, with lots of layers, so that could eb a massive perk fro some folk! :D
Overall this is a very educational, full-bodied novel you are sure to become very much invested in. Fans of Robert Elmer, Jessica Glasner, and good WW2 film dramas should give it a try! :)
Note: I was given a free e-copy in exchange for a review. This review is entirely from my own experience and opinions.
March 12, 2026
This is SUCH an amazing book!!! I read a ton of WWII Historical Fiction, and this is one of the only books* that I i highly recommend and feel comfortable enough handing off to a younger audience, knowing that their consciences will not be violated.
In Trains and Tulips, McCrary seamlessly weaves the perspectives of 5 beautifully broken people into a wonderful tale of hope and light in a time in deep darkness. These book characters learn to choose to do the right thing despite the cost, forgive unconditionally, find happiness and joy in the midst of turmoil, and serve each other exactly in the ways Jesus does.
This book has changed me. It is a tale i will not easily forget, and one i will share with many people. It has taught me how to forgive others even if they do horrible things to you and shown me how to serve those who are oppressed and left behind.
This book is also unashamedly Christian!! There are amazing quotes from Christian heroes at the start of every chapter, Bible verses in the illustrations, and the Gospel laced through it all. It is hard to come by a good story that also has solid Christian values, and even authors who are Christians shy away from including such things. My glass is raised to you, Savannah Jane McCrary, for not being scared to publish a book that goes by the Bible and has true theology.
I just have to take a minute to tell about the collosal amount of research that the author had to have done for this. This is basically your grandpa’s history book about WWII and you don’t even know it! Pretty much every scene in this book is inspired by a real life historical event that happened sometime during the war. From the language to even the food they ate-all is set in the appropriate time frame and country.
Here are some quotes that i love from Trains and Tulips:
‘’Faith isn’t just believing God will do a miracle…Faith is believing He can, yet choosing to trust Him if He does not.’’
‘’They can’t take away my hope. They might take my strength, my health, my freedom, and even my life. But they may never take my hope.”
Go read this!! It will inspire you to be more like Christ, and take you on a road of bookish happiness!! And be sure to buy the in-color version cuz the illustrations are AMAZING!!!!
*the only other book i would recommend like this is The Jewel of Berlin by L.E. Levens and it is also a phenomenal book!
In Trains and Tulips, McCrary seamlessly weaves the perspectives of 5 beautifully broken people into a wonderful tale of hope and light in a time in deep darkness. These book characters learn to choose to do the right thing despite the cost, forgive unconditionally, find happiness and joy in the midst of turmoil, and serve each other exactly in the ways Jesus does.
This book has changed me. It is a tale i will not easily forget, and one i will share with many people. It has taught me how to forgive others even if they do horrible things to you and shown me how to serve those who are oppressed and left behind.
This book is also unashamedly Christian!! There are amazing quotes from Christian heroes at the start of every chapter, Bible verses in the illustrations, and the Gospel laced through it all. It is hard to come by a good story that also has solid Christian values, and even authors who are Christians shy away from including such things. My glass is raised to you, Savannah Jane McCrary, for not being scared to publish a book that goes by the Bible and has true theology.
I just have to take a minute to tell about the collosal amount of research that the author had to have done for this. This is basically your grandpa’s history book about WWII and you don’t even know it! Pretty much every scene in this book is inspired by a real life historical event that happened sometime during the war. From the language to even the food they ate-all is set in the appropriate time frame and country.
Here are some quotes that i love from Trains and Tulips:
‘’Faith isn’t just believing God will do a miracle…Faith is believing He can, yet choosing to trust Him if He does not.’’
‘’They can’t take away my hope. They might take my strength, my health, my freedom, and even my life. But they may never take my hope.”
Go read this!! It will inspire you to be more like Christ, and take you on a road of bookish happiness!! And be sure to buy the in-color version cuz the illustrations are AMAZING!!!!
*the only other book i would recommend like this is The Jewel of Berlin by L.E. Levens and it is also a phenomenal book!
March 8, 2026
As a fellow writer of World War II fiction, I was excited to dive into Trains and Tulips. This novel captures the Dutch Resistance with the kind of deep, careful research that is so important for good historical fiction, while never losing the beating heart of the story. McCrary's charming watercolor illustrations of the main characters are a wonderful touch, warm and full of personality, they bring the cast to life before you've even turned to page one. I LOVE when books have illustrations, these are so nostalgic and engaging!
Pieter, Marit, Gerrit, David, and Elsje are each beautifully distinct and real. McCrary doesn't shy away from the darkness of the occupation, the roundups, the betrayals, the impossible choices — but what makes this book shine is the way light breaks through, again and again, in the courage of ordinary people who risked everything because they believed the kingdom of heaven was worth it.
Faith is woven into the fabric of the story, but this isn't a novel that preaches at you; it's a novel that lives its message. From Gerrit's bold conviction that following Christ meant following Him to the cross, to David's journey from the faith of his fathers to a new belief through the witness of a friend who simply wouldn't stop loving people, to Marit's raw, honest grief that somehow deepens rather than destroys her trust in God's goodness. These are characters who wrestle with real faith in the hardest of circumstances, and that's what makes them unforgettable.
I highly recommend Trains and Tulips for ages 12+!
–Jessica Glasner, author of The Seabirds Trilogy
Pieter, Marit, Gerrit, David, and Elsje are each beautifully distinct and real. McCrary doesn't shy away from the darkness of the occupation, the roundups, the betrayals, the impossible choices — but what makes this book shine is the way light breaks through, again and again, in the courage of ordinary people who risked everything because they believed the kingdom of heaven was worth it.
Faith is woven into the fabric of the story, but this isn't a novel that preaches at you; it's a novel that lives its message. From Gerrit's bold conviction that following Christ meant following Him to the cross, to David's journey from the faith of his fathers to a new belief through the witness of a friend who simply wouldn't stop loving people, to Marit's raw, honest grief that somehow deepens rather than destroys her trust in God's goodness. These are characters who wrestle with real faith in the hardest of circumstances, and that's what makes them unforgettable.
I highly recommend Trains and Tulips for ages 12+!
–Jessica Glasner, author of The Seabirds Trilogy
April 10, 2026
Trains and Tulips is a unique novel dripping with historical accuracy, quiet wit, and present, passionate faith against all odds. One of my favorite things about Holocaust fiction is that it truly displays what faith is like under fire in the lives of the men and women who faced the persecution of Hitler’s Final Solution, as well as resisted his dictatorship, and this is undoubtedly one of those stories.
The struggle of each character to remain true to his or her convictions on faith and morality, as well as simply right and wrong, is impeccably paramount in this story as Peiter, Marit, Gerrit, David, and Elsje are thrown into the trenches of the Holocaust and WW2- and forced to fight the darkness by blind faith alone.
Savannah does an amazing job of weaving real life with history, evoking a sense of relatability and reality without losing the credibility of a historical account that reads like a history textbook at last coming to life through her beautiful artwork and imagery throughout. Thank you, Savannah, for an amazing read!
The struggle of each character to remain true to his or her convictions on faith and morality, as well as simply right and wrong, is impeccably paramount in this story as Peiter, Marit, Gerrit, David, and Elsje are thrown into the trenches of the Holocaust and WW2- and forced to fight the darkness by blind faith alone.
Savannah does an amazing job of weaving real life with history, evoking a sense of relatability and reality without losing the credibility of a historical account that reads like a history textbook at last coming to life through her beautiful artwork and imagery throughout. Thank you, Savannah, for an amazing read!
December 9, 2025
This was such an exciting read! Highly recommend, especially if you like WWII history. But even if you are not a history buff, you will find the well written characters witty and endearing. I didn't want to put it down. It was quite a rollercoaster. My heart soared, broke and was lifted again with the encouraging message of God's faithfulness and the enduring hope Truth brings to humanity, even in the darkest of days.
October 1, 2025
Trains and Tulips reads as a story that's not meant to just be a novel--instead, the historical depth combines with an epic, truth-filled story that reveals the account of WWII through the eyes of followers of Jesus. It will delight both history-lovers and those who want to enjoy an adventurous story of courage. The story portrays an example of true Christianity in which God's people take strangers into their home, adopt children, and risk their lives, love stories, and what they hold most dear to serve Jesus, and those believers show true love to their enemies, hold fast to truth, and extend the Gospel to people of varied cultures and religions, no matter the danger. It's a call for the Christian to stand up, declare truth, and love God and others radically. The novel displays that God is good, period, and invites readers to see His goodness in a deep, rich way, especially in the midst of darkness and trial, because in WWII and in today, we are invited to praise the Lord and be part of His work.
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