The End of the Line

By Sharon E. McKay

Ordinary citizens risk everything to save a young Jewish girl in wartime Holland.

Five-year-old Beatrix looks on in horror as the soldier forces her mother off the tram. It is 1942 in Amsterdam, and everyone knows what happens to Jews who are taken away by the Nazis. The soldier turns his attention to Beatrix, when suddenly, the ticket-taker, Lars Gorter, blurts out that she is his niece. With his brother Hans, the tram conductor, they manage to rescue the child from the same fate as her mother.

The two elderly brothers realize that they are now in charge of the little girl. They are at a loss -- after all, neither one has ever married, let alone has children. They know that harboring a Jew could cost them their lives, but in desperation, they turn to a neighbor, Mrs. Vos, for help. But even these kindly rescuers cannot shield Beatrix totally from the horrors of war.

Based on real events, this suspenseful novel vividly portrays the fear, uncertainty, and terror of the Nazi occupation in Holland. It is a story that reflects both the worst and best of humankind. A worthy addition to children's books about the Holocaust, The End of the Line will leave young readers to ponder how the most dreadful conditions can lead ordinary citizens to perform the most heroic acts. People like Lars, Hans, and Mrs. Vos, who risked their own lives to save Jews in wartime Europe, were later recognized and honored as "Righteous Gentiles."

About the Contributor

Sharon E. McKay is the award-winning author of many books based on real events, including War Brothers: The Graphic Novel and Thunder Over Kandahar. She was also named a Canadian War Artist and spent time in Afghanistan embedded with the Canadian troops. She lives in Prince Edward Island.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Annick Press
• Release date: Sep 23, 2014
• ISBN: 9781554516612

Sharon E. McKay

Sharon E. McKay is the award-winning author of many books based on real events, including War Brothers: The Graphic Novel and Thunder Over Kandahar. She was also named a Canadian War Artist and spent time in Afghanistan embedded with the Canadian troops. She lives in Prince Edward Island.

Reviews for The End of the Line

[jrlibrary · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a Silver Birch 2015 2016 nomination. Young Beatrix's mother is forced off a train by Nazi soldiers who take her away. Beatrix is rescued by the tram driver and the ticket collector, two brothers who decide to vouch for the child and say she is their niece. This is a fairly short (114 pages) story about what happens when ordinary citizens risk their lives to help another.

[sullywriter_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

In 1942 Amsterdam, two elderly brothers take in a five-year-old Jewish girl when her mother is taken away by the Nazis. Good Holocaust fiction for middle grade readers that avoids the worst of the horrors.

[janarose1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When five year old Beatrix's mother is pulled on a tram (because she is Jewish) the conductor and ticket taker quickly step up, claiming that she is their niece. After taking her home, they are a bit befuddled and aren't quite sure what to do with her. Despite great risks, they pull in neighbor, who helps take care of the little girl.Overall, I thought this is a very good story for pre-teens. It shows the heroism of ordinary people and how our actions can effect, even save others. I did think the characters lacked a bit of depth, but it wasn't as off putting as I normally would have found it. Highly recommended.