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When their country is taken over by a tyrannical Comandante, Yann's parents fight back by joining the Resistance. The Comandante, dedicated to hunting down all members of the secret Resistance, sends soldiers to find them and capture them. When they come to Yann's home in the middle of the night, Yann is captured and sent to an orphanage for children of the Resistance. Nine other children are held in the old building with the cruel and selfish Madame Haggis presiding over the institute. The only one in their lives who cares for them is Mrs. Goodberry, who has been recruited from the nearby village to cook for Madame and the children. When she falls on the steep path to the orphanage, she is no longer able to come to their aid. With no cook, Madame Haggis grows more sadistic every day, and the children come to the belief that they must escape her cruelty and fend for themselves to survive.
In this fantastic read, Kramer creates believable characters who are a testament to the human spirit and to children's ability to accomplish great things when motivated by a strong belief in family and community. Having seen their parents and siblings killed or disappear, the children have faced great trauma. In the case of the two youngest—the twins, whose sister is one of the captives—this results in their not having spoken a word since their parents were arrested and probably killed. Kramer handles the interactions and conversations between the children with insight. Their characters are endearing and believable as they attempt to escape the orphanage, and in the encounters that they have along the way. This novel is well-suited for young adult fiction, but readers of all ages will find it enjoyable and fascinating. Don't miss this one.