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Waiting for Anya
The gripping story of a boy who risks his life to take Jewish refugees to safety during World War II.
A reclusive widow’s farm has become a haven for a growing band of Jewish children hiding from the Nazis. Jo knows he must keep the secret, and help out any way he can. But when German soldiers move into town, the danger suddenly becomes much more real. As Jo knows all too well, the penalty for helping these children escape is death.
A reclusive widow’s farm has become a haven for a growing band of Jewish children hiding from the Nazis. Jo knows he must keep the secret, and help out any way he can. But when German soldiers move into town, the danger suddenly becomes much more real. As Jo knows all too well, the penalty for helping these children escape is death.
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
74 people are currently reading
1242 people want to read
About the author
Michael Morpurgo
525 books3,019 followersSir Michael Andrew Morpurgo, OBE, FRSL is the author of many books for children, five of which have been made into films. He also writes his own screenplays and libretti for opera. Born in St Albans, Hertfordshire, in 1943, he was evacuated to Cumberland during the last years of the Second World War, then returned to London, moving later to Essex. After a brief and unsuccessful spell in the army, he took up teaching and started to write. He left teaching after ten years in order to set up 'Farms for City Children' with his wife. They have three farms in Devon, Wales and Gloucestershire, open to inner city school children who come to stay and work with the animals. In 1999 this work was publicly recognised when he and his wife were invested a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to youth. In 2003, he was advanced to an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). He became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (FRSL) in 2004. He was knighted in the 2018 for his services to literature and charity. He is also a father and grandfather, so children have always played a large part in his life. Every year he and his family spend time in the Scilly Isles, the setting for three of his books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 193 reviews
February 20, 2021
Another astounding piece of children's fiction by Morpurgo - towards the end of the First World War a Jewish child refugee comes to a small village on the Spanish border, looking to cross over, then another Jewish child arrives and another, and another and so on! Meanwhile a small German garrison is sent to the village to watch the border. Young Jo and his grandpa, find themselves caught up in a conspiracy to hide and protect the refugees, and all this time the original refugee is waiting for his young sister Anya - a beautiful piece of work! 9 out of 12.
Seriously, I recommend that everyone reads at least one Michael Morpurgo children's book, they are all, so delightful!
Seriously, I recommend that everyone reads at least one Michael Morpurgo children's book, they are all, so delightful!
December 27, 2024
5+ stars (7/10 hearts). Wow, this was not what I expected... in a good way. I expected your usual WWII story, with the good guys hiding the Jews from the bad Nazis and triumphing.
I didn't realize for a while that it was set in France. That was already a difference, because I haven't read much WWII fiction set in France, and definitely not in such a tiny, out-of-the-way place. It was really cool how the author showed the war slowly spilling over into this remote village.
I was fascinated by the characters. Good Frenchmen and bad Frenchmen, good Germans and bad Germans... even the "bad" Germans were not out-and-out villains; on the contrary, they were rather nice. On the other hand, the obsequious mayor and fawning storekeeper were far more disgusting than the Nazis. Hubert was an unexpected and really well-done character. Papa was another, and so was the grandfather. Also Christine and Mama--in fact, almost every character here was unusual and very realistic and well done. I loved the Colonel. <33
There was some lying and drinking but I can't remember any other content. The plot was surprising. I can't say much because #spoilers, but it was unusual, and well done. It was a thought-provoking book, really; I guess that's the best way to describe it.
*Review to be updated upon reread*
I didn't realize for a while that it was set in France. That was already a difference, because I haven't read much WWII fiction set in France, and definitely not in such a tiny, out-of-the-way place. It was really cool how the author showed the war slowly spilling over into this remote village.
I was fascinated by the characters. Good Frenchmen and bad Frenchmen, good Germans and bad Germans... even the "bad" Germans were not out-and-out villains; on the contrary, they were rather nice. On the other hand, the obsequious mayor and fawning storekeeper were far more disgusting than the Nazis. Hubert was an unexpected and really well-done character. Papa was another, and so was the grandfather. Also Christine and Mama--in fact, almost every character here was unusual and very realistic and well done. I loved the Colonel. <33
There was some lying and drinking but I can't remember any other content. The plot was surprising. I can't say much because #spoilers, but it was unusual, and well done. It was a thought-provoking book, really; I guess that's the best way to describe it.
*Review to be updated upon reread*
August 9, 2019
Michael Morpurgo’nun, şimdiye dek okuduğum eserleri arasında en yetkin olanı. Açık ara.
Çok katmanlı, çok sürükleyici ve çok güzel bir roman. İçinde müthiş bir kaçış öyküsü, başarıyla temellendirilmiş bir babalar-ve-oğullar çatışması, faşizmin soğuk ve anlamsız gücüne dair usul usul verilmiş mesajlar ve muhteşem de bir dağ manzarası barındırıyor.
Güzel olan kısmı ise, gerçekten güzel olması. Hem kitabın kendisi hem de Türkçe çevirisi muazzam. Okurken zevk veren, okura okur olduğunu hissettiren bir roman. Ve kesinlikle, her yaştan herkesin okuyabileceği bir eser.
İkinci Dünya Savaşı’nın az görülen bir yüzünü, yine harika anlatmış Morpurgo.
Not: Kitap filme de uyarlanıyor. Çekimler bitti bildiğim kadarıyla ve oyuncu kadrosu harika. (Noah Schnapp, Jean Reno, Anjelica Huston, Thomas Kretschmann...) Dilerim Türkiye’de de gösterime girer.
Çok katmanlı, çok sürükleyici ve çok güzel bir roman. İçinde müthiş bir kaçış öyküsü, başarıyla temellendirilmiş bir babalar-ve-oğullar çatışması, faşizmin soğuk ve anlamsız gücüne dair usul usul verilmiş mesajlar ve muhteşem de bir dağ manzarası barındırıyor.
Güzel olan kısmı ise, gerçekten güzel olması. Hem kitabın kendisi hem de Türkçe çevirisi muazzam. Okurken zevk veren, okura okur olduğunu hissettiren bir roman. Ve kesinlikle, her yaştan herkesin okuyabileceği bir eser.
İkinci Dünya Savaşı’nın az görülen bir yüzünü, yine harika anlatmış Morpurgo.
Not: Kitap filme de uyarlanıyor. Çekimler bitti bildiğim kadarıyla ve oyuncu kadrosu harika. (Noah Schnapp, Jean Reno, Anjelica Huston, Thomas Kretschmann...) Dilerim Türkiye’de de gösterime girer.
November 8, 2020
"It was only at that moment that Jo realised that the war had come at last to Lescun, to his valley. Now and for the first time he understood the terrible danger that faced Widow Horcada and Benjamin if they were ever caught. Suddenly it was all real. This was the enemy his father had fought against. This was what happened when you lost a war and the enemy occupied your country."
I think Michael Morpurgo's books were the first ones to start chipping away at my heart, because wow he's done it again.
I first read this book when I was on a binge of all of Morpurgo's books when I was around 9 or 10, and decided to reread it now because 1) I'm stuck in a reading slump, but have so many books I want to read, and 2) 𝗜𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗼𝗮𝗵 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗮𝗽𝗽!
This coming-of-age novel is set during WWII in Lescun, France (on the Spannish Border). When Jo discovers that Jewish children are being smuggled over the mountains he shepherds on, he knows he must help. But when German soldiers start patrolling the mountains, the children are trapped, and more are on the way. Jo must find a way to get the children safely over the border, but he can't do it on his own, and it's only a matter of time before someone finds out...
This is a story of bravery and selflessness, history told with meaning and heart. 'Waiting for Anya' is based on a true story, and Morpurgo describes it as "history, just history from which you must learn.”
Despite being suitable for younger readers (approximately 9/10), I could read Morpurgo's books forever, and would recommend them to anyone anytime. I can't wait to watch the movie today, it doesn't have the most positive imdb rating but it's not unusual for me to disagree with reviews 😅
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5
Recommended for fans of: Michael Morpurgo, John Boyne and 'The Book Thief'
I think Michael Morpurgo's books were the first ones to start chipping away at my heart, because wow he's done it again.
I first read this book when I was on a binge of all of Morpurgo's books when I was around 9 or 10, and decided to reread it now because 1) I'm stuck in a reading slump, but have so many books I want to read, and 2) 𝗜𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗼𝗮𝗵 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗮𝗽𝗽!
This coming-of-age novel is set during WWII in Lescun, France (on the Spannish Border). When Jo discovers that Jewish children are being smuggled over the mountains he shepherds on, he knows he must help. But when German soldiers start patrolling the mountains, the children are trapped, and more are on the way. Jo must find a way to get the children safely over the border, but he can't do it on his own, and it's only a matter of time before someone finds out...
This is a story of bravery and selflessness, history told with meaning and heart. 'Waiting for Anya' is based on a true story, and Morpurgo describes it as "history, just history from which you must learn.”
Despite being suitable for younger readers (approximately 9/10), I could read Morpurgo's books forever, and would recommend them to anyone anytime. I can't wait to watch the movie today, it doesn't have the most positive imdb rating but it's not unusual for me to disagree with reviews 😅
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5
Recommended for fans of: Michael Morpurgo, John Boyne and 'The Book Thief'
September 10, 2025
Another well written story by Michael Morpurgo.
August 21, 2024
A touching story written in a deceptively simple manner.
A must read for both young and old!
This is the story of Jewish children escaping from Poland and trying to cross the border into Spain while hiding from the German army during WW2. It is the story of a little boy and his family who risk everything to help.
As a realistic description of a little bit of history, this little book tugs at your heartstrings and shows you compassion and the best traits of humanity in the middle of a German occupied country. It is heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time and I loved every bit of it.
A must read for both young and old!
This is the story of Jewish children escaping from Poland and trying to cross the border into Spain while hiding from the German army during WW2. It is the story of a little boy and his family who risk everything to help.
As a realistic description of a little bit of history, this little book tugs at your heartstrings and shows you compassion and the best traits of humanity in the middle of a German occupied country. It is heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time and I loved every bit of it.
May 17, 2025
Petit-à-petit, je poursuis ma découverte de l'œuvre de Michael Morpurgo, qui fait partie de ma liste des écrivains "valeur sûre".
Ce qui ma attirée de prime abord avant de lire Anya, c'est de découvrir que son récit se déroule dans le village de Lescun que je connais et qui fait partie de mon histoire familiale.
Anya est un roman dont l'histoire se déroule durant la seconde guerre mondiale, sujet (la guerre au sens large) qui revient fréquemment dans l'œuvre de l'auteur.
Lescun est donc occupé par une patrouille de soldats allemands qui impose un couvre-feu et surveille la frontière avec l'Espagne pour empêcher toute fuite. Nous suivons Jo, un garçon d'une dizaine d'années qui vit avec sa mère, sa sœur et son grand-père depuis que son père est parti au front.
Un beau jour, lors d'une battue à l'ours, Jo fait la connaissance d'un homme mystérieux qui recueille et aide des enfants juifs à aller en Espagne.
Comme les autres textes de l'auteur, celui-ci est bien écrit et intéressant, tout en sensibilité.
Un beau roman.
Ce qui ma attirée de prime abord avant de lire Anya, c'est de découvrir que son récit se déroule dans le village de Lescun que je connais et qui fait partie de mon histoire familiale.
Anya est un roman dont l'histoire se déroule durant la seconde guerre mondiale, sujet (la guerre au sens large) qui revient fréquemment dans l'œuvre de l'auteur.
Lescun est donc occupé par une patrouille de soldats allemands qui impose un couvre-feu et surveille la frontière avec l'Espagne pour empêcher toute fuite. Nous suivons Jo, un garçon d'une dizaine d'années qui vit avec sa mère, sa sœur et son grand-père depuis que son père est parti au front.
Un beau jour, lors d'une battue à l'ours, Jo fait la connaissance d'un homme mystérieux qui recueille et aide des enfants juifs à aller en Espagne.
Comme les autres textes de l'auteur, celui-ci est bien écrit et intéressant, tout en sensibilité.
Un beau roman.
March 12, 2020
Borrowed from the library. I'd seen an interview on television about this being made into a film. The interview was with the young man who wrote the screenplay and was the person who got the film made, but they also had Michael Morpurgo. It was so interesting, I wanted to read the book.
It is based on a real story and is set in the mountains of the French/Spanish border during WWII. The main character is a young lad whose father went off to war and was in a German prisoner of war camp. He discovers on old widow is sheltering Jewish children on her farm. They were meant to be passing through to Spain, but the Germans arrived. Somehow more children kept arriving, but they couldn't move them on.
This was the kind of book that I could submerge myself in as if I were there. As it is aimed for young people, it is a short book and a quick read.
It is based on a real story and is set in the mountains of the French/Spanish border during WWII. The main character is a young lad whose father went off to war and was in a German prisoner of war camp. He discovers on old widow is sheltering Jewish children on her farm. They were meant to be passing through to Spain, but the Germans arrived. Somehow more children kept arriving, but they couldn't move them on.
This was the kind of book that I could submerge myself in as if I were there. As it is aimed for young people, it is a short book and a quick read.
January 6, 2023
Finally, I have been waiting for this book forever. The fifth book I’m reading is called “Waiting for Anya” written by Michael Morpurgo. He is a master storyteller. This book will stay with me for a long time. I was hooked from page one. Brilliant written for teens and adult. It was also very intriguing storyline. I thoroughly enjoyed this. The story unfolds, Jo is a young boy and keeps a secret. He and his grandfather who helps a widow and her Jewish son-in-law saves Jewish children smuggled away from the Nazis, close to his mountain village in Spain. As a result, did they all survive? You can decide.
April 14, 2011
I love Michael Morpurgo. He writes in a very stark, deceptively simple manner which belies the skill behind his work. The ending of this left me feeling physically winded. Amazing writer. This is no exception.
June 10, 2019
Daha çok yıldız olsa daha çok yıldız verirdim. Çok beğendim. Hem kitabın ilerleyişi, hem kitap bittiğinde bende bıraktığı duygu hem karakterlerin işlenişi. Bu sene okuduğum en güzel kitaplardan biriydi. Ayrıntılı değerlendirme yakında Kirk'te.
April 12, 2022
I think Michael Morpurgo has a gift to write books that are light and easy to read, but also can destroy you.
March 7, 2023
#BorrowBox
#audiobook
#read23in2023
#23in23
A book written by an English author
A very moving story, with an unexpected ending. A bit of a tear jerker.
#audiobook
#read23in2023
#23in23
A book written by an English author
A very moving story, with an unexpected ending. A bit of a tear jerker.
June 13, 2023
An awesome book, I loved the way it kind of connected with facts and real things.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2024
"long live the bear"
March 7, 2021
Not just for kids, fantastic book!
June 11, 2022
A powerful and moving depiction of the impact of World War Two on a rural community in France. I honestly believe this book will stay with me for years to come and encourage everyone to read it!
December 20, 2017
Emotional, moving and Michael Morpurgo at his finest ♥ ♥
April 12, 2020
Morpurgo is one of my favourite authors and a gift to librarians everywhere. He takes a tale and tells it simply, with fine craftmanship.
Read any Morpurgo, anytime, any age, and especially if you are aged 10 to 15. We, as readers, are so lucky to have him writing.
Read any Morpurgo, anytime, any age, and especially if you are aged 10 to 15. We, as readers, are so lucky to have him writing.
February 24, 2013
Michael Morpurgo writes about difficult times in the past and in the present, and although his writing is aimed at children they are very powerful, realistic and likely to bring a tear or two to your eyes. ‘Waiting for Anya’ is no exception, set in a French village next to the Spanish boarder when World War II was rife and German soldiers made their presence known by their constant patrolling around the village and mountains. A young boy called Jo, experiences a heroic journey when he discovers some hidden Jewish children waiting to cross the boarder to Spain and to safety. Through this journey Jo has to be trusting, keep big secrets, deal with guilt, learn the heartache of loss and most of all be brave and strong for the Jewish children. All along learning how kind the unlikeliest of person can be and just how cruel the human race can unfortunately sometimes be.
Waiting for Anya is best suited for upper KS2, a great story to read if studying World War II. It offers an interesting perspective of the war and shows how people were effected in different ways and the lengths that people, no matter their age were willing to go to to help others. Waiting for Anya would create some indepth discussions for the children, forming their own opinions of the main events and also to compare the story to their own lives. Morpurgo seems to have a lovely knack to encourage this type of thinking. This will certainly not be the last Morpurgo book that I will be reading.
Waiting for Anya is best suited for upper KS2, a great story to read if studying World War II. It offers an interesting perspective of the war and shows how people were effected in different ways and the lengths that people, no matter their age were willing to go to to help others. Waiting for Anya would create some indepth discussions for the children, forming their own opinions of the main events and also to compare the story to their own lives. Morpurgo seems to have a lovely knack to encourage this type of thinking. This will certainly not be the last Morpurgo book that I will be reading.
June 26, 2016
REALLY worth reading! Not normally the type of book that I am drawn to and usually enjoy, but this book is so good that it didn't matter. I believe most people would enjoy it. V emotional, so make sure you stock up on the tissues ...and don't read it on pubic transport.
August 6, 2016
Read this to see if our kids would be old enough to begin on Michael Morpugo's books and actually thoroughly enjoyed it myself. Very real characters and a very moving story. Didn't want to put it down.
December 11, 2007
Waiting for Anya is about the time through the holocaust in a small town in France. It is about a young boy, name Joe and how his courage grows.
April 12, 2012
A cracking and realistic tale of occupied France during WWII.
Loved it.
Favourite part: his ability of build curiosity in the reader.
Loved it.
Favourite part: his ability of build curiosity in the reader.
July 1, 2012
He never fails to make me cry. This was AMAZING. I loved the story and the...I'll try to write without spoilers. I loved every single second of it and am left in its solemn wake.
September 20, 2012
Good well written story just as suitable for adults as for children.Inteesting story that keeps your attention to the end. Just what you would expect from Michael Morpurgo.Highly recommended.
November 2, 2012
Michael Morpurgo weaves a wonderful tale, though I found this story particularly sad [you'll find out why after reading this book].
May 20, 2013
Saw the author speak. He was a great speaker. I liked him better in person! But this was a solid historical fiction book for kids. WWII.
September 9, 2013
I read this in Year 5 and, whilst I don't remember all of it, I do remember that I thought it very sad and that, as a nine/ten year old, I was touched by the story.
March 13, 2020
En by i bergen i södra Frankrike, nära gränsen till Spanien. Andra världskriget tränger sig allt närmre. Jo bor med sin mamma, lillasyster och sin farfar. Hans pappa är krigsfånge hos nazisterna.
En bit utanför byn bor änkan Horcarda, hon tycker inte om barn, i synnerhet inte pojkar och det är ömsesidigt, de kallar henne Svarta Änkan.
En dag när Jo vallar fåren går en björnhona till attack, han larmar männen i byn och björnen dödas. När Jo sen ska leta efter sin vallhund upptäcker han en björnunge i en grotta, där möter han också Benjamin, en man med stort rött skägg. Jo måste lova att inte berätta för någon att han mött Benjamin. Men nyfikenheten sägs det inget om och Jo smyger efter Benjamin och upptäcker att han bor hos änkan Horcarda.
Det visar sig att Benjamin är svärson till änkan och att han är jude. Han gömmer sig i bergen för att vänta på sin dotter Anya som försvunnit.
Jo dras in i en hemlig verksamhet som försöker rädda judiska barn över till Spanien. Samtidigt blir han vän med en av de tyska officerarna som bevakar byn.
Jo är en verklig hjälte, han bär korgar med mat till änkan så att hon och barnen hon hjälper ska kunna överleva. Ett tungt och tråkigt jobb, han tänker aldrig på att han faktiskt risker sitt liv. Så småningom blir hela byn indragen i en räddningsaktion när 12 barn ska föras i säkerhet.
Här blir det oerhört spännande, ska de tyska soldaterna upptäcka barnen innan de är i säkerhet?
Och hur har det gått för Anya? Kommer hon någonsin tillbaka.
En fantastisk bok för både barn och vuxna, om mod, komplicerad vänskap och vad krig gör med människor.
En bit utanför byn bor änkan Horcarda, hon tycker inte om barn, i synnerhet inte pojkar och det är ömsesidigt, de kallar henne Svarta Änkan.
En dag när Jo vallar fåren går en björnhona till attack, han larmar männen i byn och björnen dödas. När Jo sen ska leta efter sin vallhund upptäcker han en björnunge i en grotta, där möter han också Benjamin, en man med stort rött skägg. Jo måste lova att inte berätta för någon att han mött Benjamin. Men nyfikenheten sägs det inget om och Jo smyger efter Benjamin och upptäcker att han bor hos änkan Horcarda.
Det visar sig att Benjamin är svärson till änkan och att han är jude. Han gömmer sig i bergen för att vänta på sin dotter Anya som försvunnit.
Jo dras in i en hemlig verksamhet som försöker rädda judiska barn över till Spanien. Samtidigt blir han vän med en av de tyska officerarna som bevakar byn.
Jo är en verklig hjälte, han bär korgar med mat till änkan så att hon och barnen hon hjälper ska kunna överleva. Ett tungt och tråkigt jobb, han tänker aldrig på att han faktiskt risker sitt liv. Så småningom blir hela byn indragen i en räddningsaktion när 12 barn ska föras i säkerhet.
Här blir det oerhört spännande, ska de tyska soldaterna upptäcka barnen innan de är i säkerhet?
Och hur har det gått för Anya? Kommer hon någonsin tillbaka.
En fantastisk bok för både barn och vuxna, om mod, komplicerad vänskap och vad krig gör med människor.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 193 reviews