Harboring Hope: The True Story of How Henny Sinding Helped Denmark's Jews Escape the Nazis – A World War II Novel-in-Verse of Courage and Humanity

by Susan Hood

The inspirational true story of how twenty-two-year-old Henny Sinding courageously helped smuggle hundreds of Jewish families in occupied Denmark to safety in Sweden during the Holocaust. A middle grade nonfiction novel-in-verse by award-winning author Susan Hood. It wouldn’t be easy, but they had to try. It was their only chance to survive. In 1943, Henny Sinding, only twenty-two years old, and the crew of Gerda lll, a lighthouse supply boat, risked everything to smuggle their Jewish compatriots across the Øresund strait to safety in Sweden during World War ll. In Henny’s words, “It was the right thing to do so we did it. Simple as that.” But what happened when their operation’s cover was blown and it was Henny’s turn to escape? This incredible true story in-verse about courage, community, humanity, and hope is perfect for fans of Lifeboat 12, Alias Anna , and Alan Gratz. Includes extensive back matter with primary sources, additional information, further reading, and photographs.   A JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD GOLD STANDARD SELECTION!

Genres: Middle Grade, History, Nonfiction, Poetry, Novel In Verse, Holocaust, Biography

400 pages, Hardcover

First published March 21, 2023

About the author

Susan Hood is the award-winning author of many books for young readers, including Ada's Violin; Lifeboat 12; The Last Straw: Kids vs. Plastics; Shaking Things Up; Titan and the Wild Boars: The True Cave Rescue of the Thai Soccer Team; and We Are One: How the World Adds Up.

Susan is the recipient of an E. B. White Read-Aloud Picture Book Honor, the Christopher Award, the Américas Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature, the Golden Kite Award, and the Bank Street Flora Stieglitz Straus Award, given annually for “a distinguished work of nonfiction that serves as an inspiration to young people.”

COMING IN MARCH, 2022!
Susan's newest book is Alias Anna: A True Story of Outwitting the Nazis. Co-authored with Anna's (a.k.a. Zhanna's) son Greg Dawson, this biography in verse celebrates the life-saving power of the arts.

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an interesting middle grade non-fiction book that focuses on a part of history that I was not familiar with. I’ll definitely check out more from this author.

Harboring Hope is a free verse non-fiction middle grade novel that focuses on Henny Sinding and the role that she played in helping 300 Jews escape from Denmark to Sweden. Filled with some many ups and downs, I never cease to be amazed at the small parts of history that often go unnoticed.

What Worked: I’ve always been a huge advocate for people of all ages to read non-fiction that is often intended for a younger audience. It makes the task of reading non-fiction seem less daunting and is often written in a way that is accessible to everyone. Prior to reading this book, I was not aware of Henny Sinding and the work that her and so many other young people of Denmark did to protect Jews from the Nazi invasion. Although parts of her story are triumphant, there are so many that are devastatingly heartbreaking. With so many states battling censorship of materials that detail the atrocities of the Holocaust, I’m happy to see that these materials are still being put out into the world for children of all readers. It’s also a great way for readers to see that change and impact can be made at any age. You don’t have to be an adult to make a difference in the world. It was also a bonus that this wasn’t written in verse. This format will work well for reluctant readers who may have the responsibility of reading a book about the Holocaust.

Overall, this was a great read. I learned so much from it and plan on picking up some other books from this author. Definitely check this one out if you’re looking to learn more about important figures in the Holocaust.

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books written in verse are not normally my thing, but I made an exception for this one. It did not disappoint.
Years ago I read Lois Lowry’s “Number the Stars” and was intrigued. It became one of my all-time favorite historical fiction books. I’ve re-read it many times, and the brave actions of the Danes that saved many Jewish lives never ceases to amaze me.
“Harboring Hope” left me with the same feeling. There were several parts that had me holding my breath, reading of people crammed into fishing boats, with Nazi soldiers literally right over their heads, having to be absolutely silent…
The photographs and author’s notes at the end were also very interesting and informative. And I was glad to see that Susan Hood listed my beloved “Number the Stars” as one that she used as a reference.
This one is a must for history buffs. And it should be in every classroom everywhere, for middle-grade and older readers.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Fascinating book by the author of Alias Anna. Nonfiction in verse.

[Jennifer Mangler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an engaging, fascinating read! I could not put it down. This is the kind of book I want to put in everyone's hands. Henny has a lot to teach all of us.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told in verse, this non-fiction book mostly covers the story of Henny Sinding and the people of Denmark standing up against the Nazis in their country. Most of the book covers how Henny and a group of resistance fighters worked to smuggle over 300 Jews out of the country to Sweden using a lighthouse supply boat. Before reading this book, I had read one other book, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2..., that talked about the shameful way Denmark had rolled over and capitulated to the Nazis when they were first invaded. I feel like this book by Hood gives a more complete picture and even mentions Pedersen's group which helped to inspire others to perform acts of sabotage against the Germans.

[Courtney Busch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this one was amazing! So much about the Danish perspective of WWII that I didn’t know. While reading, I kept saying, “Hey Aidan, did you know…?”which is a good sign. I’m so inspired by the courage and conviction of the Danish people! All written in verse too - pretty neat.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredible and inspiring true story!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding, powerful history book in (mostly) free verse, covering a chapter of world history not even many adults are familiar with, never mind mid grade students. As in Lifeboat 12, Susan Hood tells a compelling true story. A good way to start my reading year. Highly recommend.

[Christiana Doucette · Rating 5 out of 5]

After loving Susan Hood's Alias Anna and Lifeboat 12, I've been anticipating this book's release. What a compelling story. The reader follows Henny as Nazi Germany takes over Denmark. At first there is an uneasy peace between occupier and occupied, other than sabotage by angry Dane school boys. But when an order for the final solution to be applied to Denmark's Jewish population is leaked, many in the country mobilize to protect their neighbors. Henny is one of those putting her life on the line. One whose bravery eventually forces her out of the country she loves if she hopes to keep her life. I loved the way Susan Hood played with the harbor where so many Jews were assisted in their flight, and how the young people of the country harbored hope in their hearts for a better future, taking action to make it happen.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the story. It’s a part of WWII history that I never knew about. The Danish were truly inspiring. However, as someone who loves a story written in verse, this story did not really qualify. Generally, books written in verse are told from first person POV. This definitely was 3rd person. When you hit the “enter” key a few times during one sentence to make it look like it’s in verse, doesn’t mean it actually is. The figurative language that is used in books told in verse was also severely lacking. There were a few places where it worked, but very few. Five stars for the information and 1 star for the structure, format, and quality of writing. This took me much longer to get through than it should have.

[BiblioBrandie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nonfiction novel-in-verse about how twenty-two-year-old Henny Sinding helped smuggle hundreds of Jewish families in occupied Denmark to safety in Sweden during the Holocaust. I love Susan Hood's writing but this once fell flat for me. I also really don't think this one is a good example of a novel-in-verse. Just breaking up the sentences on a page does not a novel-in-verse make. It often felt like reading reading a children’s encyclopedia entry with line breaks. The book is very long, and it is neither lively nor lyrical. Back matter include author’s note, biographical information, map, historical notes, photographs, poetry notes, sources, bibliography.
Five stars for the information/research/historical perspective and two stars for the quality of writing.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: Knock! Knock!
A package at the door!
It was rectangular,
big enough
that Henny had to grasp it
with two hands.
It was addressed to her.
Who was it from?
What was inside?

Premise/plot: Middle grade historical fiction novel written in verse with a World War II setting--this is how I'd describe Susan Hood's newest novel, Harboring Hope. It is based on the life of Henny Sinding, a young woman (teen? tween?), who helped Jews escape from Nazi-Occupied Denmark. She was part of a network, certainly, part of the Danish Resistance. She smuggles Jews onto the Gerda III, a supply boat. The boat then takes the Jews to a safer country. (The historical note at the end pointed out that 99 (or 98) percent of Jews were saved--avoided deportation to concentration camps or falling into the hands of the Nazis. This is a really HIGH number.)

As I said, this is one story about one person who helped. It has fallen out of favor--and who am I to argue--to call them rescuers. I hope it isn't incorrect to say helped.

My thoughts: I definitely felt the story was engaging/compelling. I am always open to reading more stories [fiction and nonfiction] about World War II and the Holocaust. Every story is important. This one is based on a true story, a real person.

I don't automatically love, love, love the verse novel format. I would read it either way--verse or prose. The subject matter is heavy, weighty, serious. The verse doesn't seem to be elevating the narrative. In other words, the verse doesn't seem especially poetic.

Again, I enjoyed the book. I would read it no matter the format. One plus to having it in verse format, I suppose, is that verse novels *feel* quicker to read.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hood is back with another work of nonfiction in verse, this time with the story Henny Sinding and the part she played in helping Denmark's Jews escape from the Nazis. A large part of the power in this account stems from the fact that it was the young people in Denmark who led the charge to take care of their Jewish neighbors. This is not to say the adults didn't assist, they certainly did, but many of the largest risks, and the decisions to act, were undertaken by young people. Readers will be fascinated by the way World War II played out in Denmark, with the Nazis "peacefully" occupying the country for some time before Jewish citizens became targets as they already were in other countries. This book is an excellent choice for readers who want to focus on ways the goodness of humanity were highlighted during the atrocities of the war. The verse format makes it an accessible and quick read. An author's note, guide to the people in the book, and a map can be found at the beginning of the book. Back matter includes black and white photos, notes about important elements of the story, notes about the types of poetry included, sources, and a note of gratitude from the author.

Highly Recommended for grades 4-9.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A biography in verse of Henny Sindig, a member of the Danish Resistance during WWII who, along with the rest of the crew of the Gerda III helped get Jews and Resistance workers to safety in Sweden as well as working on sabotaging missions.

I read a fiction book this year The Sound of Light by Sundig that incorporated a lot of Henny's group's rescue work into the story. I didn't realize how much until I read this. The number of people the Danish Resistance workers saved is an astonishingly hopeful story in the midst of the bleak stories of tragedy of WWII. Not that Henny and her fellow resistance workers didn't face tragedy, but the percentage of Danish Jews saved during WWII as compared to other places in Europe is astounding and such a legacy for the Danes who helped them. I appreciated the Susan Hood provided a guide to the different types of poetry she used in the back of the book. Even though this is written in poetry, I didn't think it impacted the power of the story at all.

Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. Deaths in the war are mentioned, minimal details.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my Holocaust and Genocide course, I always taught a unit on rescuers and resistance, as I felt it was importance to balance all the horrors of the Holocaust with some reasons for hope, namely those who resisted and became upstanders. The story of Denmark's resistance of Nazi rule, as well as the escape of nearly all of Denmark's Jewish population to Sweden was always one of my highlights of the unit, so when I saw this book (and met the author) last fall at the Chappaqua Children's Book Festival, I knew I wanted to read it. This book provided details I did not know about the escape and put names and faces of actual people to the story. The background details provided at the beginning made it slow to get started, but it is nonfiction in-verse, and once the escape began, the pages flew by and I read the last half in one sitting. Through this book, I discovered that one of the boats used in the escape now sits at the Mystic Seaport, and I plan to visit it the next time I am there.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

While not quite as action-packed as Lifeboat 12 or Alias Anna, this is another historical story of an unsung hero facing off against the evils of Hitler and the Nazis. Henny Sinding – just 22 years old – couldn’t sit by and watch Germany invade her beloved Denmark. She helped over 300 Jewish people escape Denmark by hiding them in the hold of her boat and ferrying them to Sweden. She worked with the Danish resistance movement until she too had to escape to Sweden. She was able to return to Denmark after the war and resumed her life of helping others and sailing. This novel in verse is told mostly through free verse. Hood also incorporates other poetic styles throughout the book and she includes a note about the poetry and the different styles she chose (ode, concrete, cinquain, triolet, etc.). Includes extensive notes and photographs.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great tribute to the character of the people of Denmark. Its leaders dealt with the Germans in a way that bought time for networks and resistance to form. There are incredibly good statistics on the number of Jews evacuated.
Writing in verse for an entire book can be a challenge. It is remarkable how Hood was able to sustain that in this work of nonfiction. She incorporated quotes from the characters, including easily accessible background on the over all war in Denmark with details specific to young Henny, her family, and friends and the difficult and very dangerous decisions they made in following their consciences.
Backwater includes extended statistics, follow-up on characters' later lives, numerous photos, bibliography, and sources.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in return for an honest review.

Susan Hood does it again with an excellent nonfiction story in-verse. Well researched, compelling storyline, engaging characters, and the verse structure flows well. Due to some intensity in the book (which is very fitting as a World War 2 book) I might not recommend this book to young MG readers, but this is definitely a book to add to your classroom library.

The back matter of the book (photographs, resources, etc) is definitely worth reading and I was struck by this statistic...99% of the Jews in Denmark survived while 98% of Poland's Jews perished.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in free verse, this history of one young Danish woman during WWII and her actions as well as those of most other Danish people is an accessible history for young people. Detailing the hiding and evacuation of most of the Danish Jewish population by ferrying them over to Sweden, this is more extensive than the novel Number the Stars which probably has introduced this chapter in WWII history to most American school children. The inclusion of photographs at the end as well as notes on the type of poetry in the book as well as several pages of ‘what happened next’ make this book even more appealing.

[Jessica_loves_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would actually round this down to a 3.5. While I am fascinated by Denmark's role in WW2, and saddened to hear the tales about Denmark's king's legendary rides through Denmark with a Jewish star on his outfit were false, I found this book only mildly interesting. I would recommend this book to any history or WW2 buff, but unfortunately I did not find the book compelling enough to grab me. The author's very brief chapters, while making this book quite easy to read, left me feeling disjointed and made character development hard to follow.

[Tamsyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Excellent story about the many Danish people who helped the Jewish population escape to Sweden. Henny, a 21-year-old girl, was an important part of the team who worked with one of the boats, helping an estimated 300+people to safety. Written in verse, this book covers her life before the war, and we also get to hear from some of those who escaped. The boat (Gerda III), which continued to help by transporting guns, information, and Resistance fighters to safety, has been preserved and restored and is in Mystic, CT to represent this amazing story.

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read Susan Hood's other book, "Alias Anna" and I enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed this one. Something unique about her books is how they are written in "free verse" and although I sometimes find it to be a bit distracting, the writing style suits the story and makes some of the events or feelings stand out more. I found this book to be very informative about Henny Sinding and her daring actions and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a middle school-level WW2 historical fiction, specifically about Denmark during WW2.

[Penny Louks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read so very many Holocaust related texts, and this one gave yet another perspective. I enjoy writing in poetic style, but I found that this time as it was mostly written like history/nonfiction, the style was a bit strange to me. I wanted to follow Henny Sinding more than all of the side trips taken. However, I am grateful for learning her story in a limited way as well as that of her comrades in the Danish Resistance. It is definitely worth a read.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel in verse tells the true story of how a girl named Henny helped the Jews in Denmark survive the Nazi invasion there. We often hear about how Norway stood up to the Nazis but not much about Denmark since Germany invaded them and took over - yet there was a lot of resistance in Denmark as well. This is how many of the Jews in Denmark were saved by the brave people there, including a girl named Henny.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and remarkable true accounts of how Henny Siding and the other citizens of Denmark resisted the Nazi's and helped thousands of Jews escape. I love learning new things about WWII and this book revealed a part of WWII history that I was not aware of. The book is written in verse, making it a very quick read. Highly recommended.

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Focusing on Henny Sinding (b. 1921), daughter of a respected Royal Danish Navy commander, Hood’s expansive verse recounting of the WWII Danish resistance movement builds a strong sense of shared Danish values while encompassing Nazi Germany’s 1940 invasion and its deportation of Danish Jews after years of “peaceful occupation".

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harboring Hope is the true story of a young Danish man named Henny Sinding who helped Jews escape Denmark during the German occupation of the country during WWII. It's written in verse so it's a very quick read and also a format that kids seem to really enjoy. I know many teachers use Number the Stars by Lois Lowry as part of their ELA curriculum and this book would make an excellent nonfiction companion to that fictional account of the same historical event. Teachers and librarian, add this one to your collection!

Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley for a review copy of this book.

[Katie Reilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harboring Hope is an excellent upper middle grade/YA biography novel in verse featuring Henny Sinding and the important role she played as a Danish Resistance fighter, defending democracy and the Jewish community during Germany’s occupation of Denmark during WWII. Full of incredible back matter, this is a powerful read with themes of community, hope, and the fight for good over evil.

[Virginia (Cabin #6) (OUABH STAN) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5
I actually really loved this book! It talks about how Danish citizens helped Jewish people escape Denmark from the Nazis! It was really inspiring how people risked their lives to save so many people over 7,500 Jews were rescued because citizens stepped up! I wouldn’t have picked up this book if it weren’t for a book club and I am so glad that I was able to read this! I loved it!

[Suzanne Dix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan Hood has created an amazingly well-crafted look at the heroes of the Danish Resistance of World War II. While this is a longer free verse than many students may choose, history lovers will devour this one. Absolutely a novel to promote!

Grades 6 and up.