Peter in Peril

by Helen Bate

A moving graphic novel telling the true story of a young boy caught up in the terror of World War Two.

Peter is just an ordinary boy, who loves playing football with his friends and eating cake - until war comes to his city and the whole family have to go into hiding...

This moving, true story of the Second World War, set in Budapest, Hungary, shows in vivid words and pictures how Peter, his cousin Eva and his mum and dad bravely struggle to survive in a city torn apart by warfare.

Genres: Graphic Novels, History, Nonfiction, World War II, War, Childrens, Jewish

48 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 2016

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short story is a graphic novel about a young boy and his family living in Budapest during WWII. The text seemed oversimplified, this happened because...then I did this...then I did that.....
The illustrations frustrated me, yet again we have a WWII scene with people in orange dresses, bright green coats, stripey turquoise and purple hats. Not just the clothes, many things weren't from the period.

Some information at the back about the real people the story was based on made this story up to a 3 star for me.

[CrystalIsReading on StoryGraph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Peter in Peril is a child-accessible graphic novel rendition of the true story of Peter, a young Jewish boy growing up in Budapest, Hungary, during the time leading up to, during, and after World War II. It conveys the basic idea of what Peter, his family, his friends, and his city endured, both from the Nazis and from the Russians, but especially what Jewish families suffered. However, it does that with a light enough touch and sparse enough details that children shouldn't be traumatized by reading it--just informed, and hopefully curious to learn more.
I found the story interesting, mostly because I had not read much about Budapest during WWII, so I was intrigued by a true story talking about life then. As anywhere that Jews faced the Holocaust, it's sad, but Peter's story has been hopeful, as he and his immediate family came through relatively unharmed. Obviously, I'm a bit older than the target audience, so I would have preferred more information, but it's a solid little graphic novel with simple but evocative illustrations. I would recommend this for juvenile readers looking to learn more about the history of WWII/ the Holocaust/ Budapest/ Jewish history.

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

9.5 year old daughter read and "enjoyed" this graphic short story about a boy in Budapest, Hungary, during World War II. She is very interested in history recently, especially in story form, and I found this to be at an appropriate level to introduce her to this time period without being too descriptive and gory.

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. Fascinating holocaust story well told

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Cambridge classmate of mine mentioned she had written & illustrated a few children's books, so I of course immediately inquired about them. After reading for free the first few pages, I was hooked and had to purchase it. (Amazon usually allows sample pages to read before buying.)

It's a serious story about a Jewish boy growing up in Hungary during WWII and constantly avoiding being captured by the Nazis. Helen does a great job at recreating what it was like for a child at that time without being too scary, while also making the reader feel an appropriate amount of awe at the reality of such an event. The fact that it's written like a graphic novel also lightens the feel of the story - putting the child who reads it in the mindset of reading a comic book.I

Adults would appreciate this too. It's a page-turner, and it pulls at the heartstrings. Though it may cause some mild distress in the more sensitive child, there are no directly spoken of tragedies. It's just a boy's perspective of him and his family being forced from one place to the next and back home again. The best part about the whole story is how so many people (family, neighbors, strangers, and even some "enemies") unite and show kindness to each other.

Oh, and it's a true story. The back of the book gives background to the story and there's pictures of Peter and his family, both then and now.

[whatbooknext · Rating 3 out of 5]

Peter's favourite things are football and eating cake. At 6 years old, despite getting into trouble with Mum for cutting buttons off her clothing for a game, life is pretty good. Until the soldiers came.

Again and again Peter's family have to move, leaving their belongings and past happy life behind. They avoid the trains to the camps but their lives become one of fear and hiding in an abandoned apartment. There is constant worry and endless hunger with only scraps to eat. Then there is the endless boredom, without play, books, toys or other children.

Soon, more soldiers arrive in the city. This time it is the Russian Army who are just as frightening but their arrival enables Peter's family to finally come out of hiding.

Based on a true story and set in Budapest, Hungary, Peter's story is told in graphic novel format. The colour pictures and the large font are simple and clear for young readers learning about lives in World War II.

Recipient of a US Board on Books for Youth Award 2018. Age - 8+

[Miss Ryoko · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think my favorite part about this children's graphic novel was the pictures of Peter at the end, both his childhood picture and his picture with his family in 2015. I love being able to put faces to the real life people these stories are based off of. What a terrifying time to be alive, but I'm always amazed at the strength and will of these people to push through and live. Incredibly strong people. The Jews of the past and present have so much of my respect.

[Trinity Conde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter in Peril is a realistic fiction book based on a true story that was published in March of 2017 and was named and outstanding international book. It follows the story of a young Jewish boy named Peter and his family as they try to escape capture during WW2. I would love to add this book to my classroom library as a resource for my kids so that they have an example of extreme bravery and perseverance.

[jennijohanna. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toiseen Maailmansotaan sijoittuva sarjakuva, joka perustuu tositarinaan.

Helmet-lukuhaaste 2020 - tää sarjakuva sopii ainakin kohtiin:
4. Kirjan kannessa tai kuvauksessa on monta ihmistä
9. Kirjassa kohdataan pelkoja
30. Kirjassa pelastetaan ihminen
37. Ajankohta on merkittävä tekijä kirjassa
38. Kirjan kannessa tai kuvauksessa on puu
41. Kirjassa laitetaan ruokaa tai leivotaan

[Sandy Duke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This is a juvenile graphic novel (but short) based on a true story of a Jewish family's struggle to remain intact as a family in Hungary during WWII. It is told from a young boy's perspective. The book includes photographs of the family in the back.

I happened across this at my local library as I was searching for something to fit a European reading challenge. I highly recommend it!

[Joshua · Rating 3 out of 5]

WWII from the perspective of a young Jewish boy in Budapest. Because of his limited perspective as a kid it lacks much detail, but its still interesting to get the child's perspective on a complicated situation.

[Robbo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book, written from a child's perspective, so sometimes a bit confusing. But short, so worth a read.

[Wilde Sky · Rating 3 out of 5]

A boy and his family hide during WWII.

I thought the story and illustrations were good, but this book lacked depth.

Reading time around twenty minutes.

[Abi Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well presented true story about childhood during WW2 about a boy called Peter. It presents an alternative story compared to a more well known diary written by a young girl. Told using both pictures and writing, in a style more similar to comics, it describes what it was like living with fear and the possibility that you will be taken away. It also offers further evidence in relation to the history of the time.

I liked this book as I feel it would relate more to what some children are currently experiencing and the trauma they are going through, and may be a more suitable way of explaining to class mates what it is like living in a country with fear, but without telling their own story.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An accessible, unique perspective on the Holocaust and World War II based upon actual events. Includes an afterword explaining the historical context.