Hidden on the High Wire

by Kathy Kacer

In the summer of 1941, Irene Lorch must perform the most perilous balancing act of her life…

Irene grew up traveling around Germany with her family’s circus, surrounded by her loved ones and thrilling the crowds with her performance on the high wire…until one day, the audience boos. The Lorch family is Jewish , and the increasing power of Adolf Hitler’s Nazis has put them all in grave danger.

When the circus is forced to shut down and Irene’s father is taken away, Irene and her mother must go into hiding with another circus. Every day is a frightening new kind of balancing act, caught between the desire to perform and the need to hide-even in plain sight.

A Holocaust Remembrance Book For Young Readers

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Canada, World War II, Audiobook, Jewish, Childrens

254 pages, Paperback

Published September 27, 2022

About the author

Kathy Kacer was born in Toronto and has lived there all her life (with the exception of three years in New Brunswick). She has a Master’s degree in Psychology and worked for many years with troubled teens and their families. She stopped working full time in 1995 to pursue her dream of becoming a children’s author. That dream came true with the publication of her first book, The Secret of Gabi’s Dresser, in 1999. She has been writing ever since.

Her parents were both survivors of the Holocaust. Her mother survived the war in hiding; her father was a survivor of the concentration camps. Their stories of survival were an inspiration to Kathy as she was growing up. As an adult, she was determined to write their stories and pass them on to young readers. She went on to write more than twenty books, all focused on the Holocaust. These books include The Night Spies, The Diary of Laura’s Twin, To Hope and Back, Hiding Edith, the Whispers series, and The Magician of Auschwitz. Many of her books have won awards in Canada, the United States, and Israel. Her books have been sold in over twenty countries around the world.

In addition to writing, Kathy teaches at the University of Toronto (Continuing Studies). She also speaks to children in schools and libraries around the world about the importance of understanding the Holocaust and keeping its memory alive. In addition, she lectures in universities and colleges on the topic of teaching sensitive material to young children.

She is married and has two children, Gabi and Jake. Both children share her family’s love of stories.

Reviews

[Read by Curtis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A historical fiction novel based on the true story of Irene Danner, a young Jewish tightrope walker and acrobat who hid in plain sight as a performer in the Althoff Circus in Germany during WWII. A Holocaust Remembrance Book for Young Readers that is developmentally appropriate for middle school readers. An interesting and unique perspective on the tribulations of the Jewish people during the 1940's.

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written story about the holocaust for students. Told from the perspective of a young Jewish girl, it explains the types of situations she had to endure. This is also based on a true story which only adds to the story. Would be an excellent read aloud book or book club book.

[Jen (The Jenerator) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good. I liked that it was true.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like other historical fiction by Kathy Kacer, this one is heavy on the “history” part. The Lorch family circus was well-respected in Germany, but with Hitler and his Nazi party so determined to eliminate all Jews from the country, closure was inevitable. But closing down was not the only blow to this family, father Hans was drafted and forced to fight for a party who wanted him to divorce his Jewish wife and abandon his daughter, Irene. With no father, no more high wire performances, and the threat of arrest making life terrifying, Irene goes to the Althoff Circus for just a bit of pleasure and instead, finds a new home for herself and her mother. Irene returns to the high wire where she excels and her mother joins other seamstresses making costumes for the performers. Kacer brings these little known, real people from WWII history come to life. Irene’s panic and despair when her grandmother is arrested and sent to Auschwitz is vividly described as is her joy in being back in the center ring she loves. Highly recommended for grades 4-7. No profanity, sexual content, and even the wartime violence is kept to a minimum.

Thanks for the print arc, Second Story Press!

[Kristen Beauchamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never heard of this story before. Definitely worth your time.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this book was written for “young readers,” it’s a great book for adults and children alike.

I can clearly remember reading Number the Stars by Lois Lowry in grade 4 and the impact that story had on me and my knowledge of WWII and the holocaust, and I can see this book having the same impact.

Even for someone like me - a historian and avid reader of historical fiction (especially WWII related recently) - this was eye opening about some real life events that happened. I appreciated the historical notes at the end on how much was true (a lot more than I would have thought, even if the ages and number of family members were changed a bit).

It’s a quick read for adults and worth reading. There are definitely points that you can tell are written to spell out for younger readers what take aways they should pick up on but that doesn’t detract from the overall great story. It’s a real good, straightforward piece of historical fiction based on a real family and their circumstances.

[Barbra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on a true story, we follow the lives of the Lorch family who run a circus in Germany in 1941. Everything comes tumbling down when Adolf Hitler takes power and forces them to close. Soon her German father is drafted to the army, and Irene and her mom are threatened daily with arrest. Luckily a new circus family welcomes them in. Every time Irene performs her high wire act, it is a challenge to stay hidden in the spotlight. A touching story that reminds readers even in war we can find compassion.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A terrific book for young readers about the history in Europe at the beginning of the Holocaust. Written to give the reader the sense of forboding and tension as the Nazis were to power and convincing the people that the Jewish people were bad, and should be killed and sent away.
One young girl finds a way to protect her family , by hiding in plain sight. She is a high wire performer in the traveling circus. This book is based on real people and facts.

[Niki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in Germany during WWII, Hidden on the High Wire is a historical fiction novel for middle grade readers. Irene's family are forced to close their circus as Hitler starts to impose his antisemitic laws. Irene and her mother find a way to survive the awful situation they are forced into. Kacer deftly weaves many historical facts into the story in an interesting and informative manner for young readers.

Hidden on the High Wire is nominated for the 2024 MYRCA Sundog.

3+ stars

[Deke Moulton]

This was another DNF. Not sure if it’s just the end of the year and I’m trying to clear out my shelves. I’m also trying to get books donated to my local middle school, which might be making my brain not be interested in reading. I’m sure lots of middle school kids would love the connection of a circus settingwithin the holocaust. All those greatest showman kids I just couldn’t really get into this one but it’s going to a great home.

[Martha Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Irene Danner is a 13 yo girl who was a high wire performer in her Father's circus in Germany. When the Nazi's came, dad was drafted into the army and her grandmother was taken to Auschwitz. Irene and her mom, a dressmaker, go to work in the Althoff circus. An unusual tale of survival.

[Sandi McD · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a good book for young readers. I was surprised that this was based on a true story.. Since it was a children's book, I think it was simplified, but it is a fascinating story of true selfless acts that were made during WWII.

[Sarah Bruer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book unaware that it was one of historical fiction. Had I made that connection ahead of reading the book, I might have appreciated it more than I did. It was still a powerful story with a few things to think about even for an adult reader.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trite. Shallow. Simplistic. Just because it’s about the Holocaust doesn’t make it automatically a great book. While the true-life story was interesting, this flat portrayal did a disservice to the horrors of the Holocaust.

[Mary-Esther Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tense and gripping.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really great Holocaust remberance book for upper elementary and middle grade readers.

[Jasmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent historical fiction for kids. No gore no violence and yet the truth is told for little readers.

[Janice Kampman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened with my 13yo for Battle of the Books at middle school. Great story.

[Charlie Buller · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried it. Not my kind of book.

[Eliza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was always excited to keep reading. I loved the story!

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Irene, despite being based on a real person, feels somewhat two-dimensional. Her inner thoughts and personal growth could have been explored more thoroughly to provide a richer portrayal.
Overall, "Hidden on a High Wire" is an engaging and educational read, offering a unique perspective on the Holocaust. While Irene’s character could use more depth, the book’s strengths make it a valuable addition to young adult historical fiction.

[Lori Emilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well-written and well-researched historical fiction MG novel. Excellent choice for Book Clubs or Read Aloud.

[Ezra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been looking to read more about Jewish circus history in the early 20th century as of late, so I was excited to stumble across this title while at the ALA LibLearnX conference I attended in January (even more so to be handed a copy for free!) even if it takes place a bit later than the era I've been looking for. This novel, written for students as an installment in Second Story Press's Holocaust Rememberance series for Young Readers, is based off a true story and tells the story of Irene Lorch, a young Jewish high-wire circus performer who, after her own family's circus is forced to shut down, survived the Holocaust by hiding in another circus. I'd never heard her story before and found it especially interesting to read, though an author's note at the back mentions that both minor and major parts of her story were altered for the book (minor - adjusting her age; major - omitting a younger sister entirely).

There were parts where historical context was included in a way that felt heavy-handed, impacting narrative or dialogue flow, but this wasn't too big a deal to me, and I doubt younger readers - the audience who this book is intended for - would notice.