Hidden on the High Wire

This captivating and inspiring book is based on the true story of Irene Danner, a Jewish girl whose family ran a circus in Germany right before WWII. Irene loves performing on the highwire and being a part of the circus that has belonged to her family for decades. But one day, everything changes when soldiers from the Gestapo show up at the circus. Irene’s father is sent into battle, leaving Irene, her mother, and her grandmother to find safety on their own. I loved the messages of hope, resilience, and family ties, both with living family members and ancestors. While the book is set in a difficult time period, it is more gentle than many other WWII books and should be okay for more sensitive readers.

(Reviewed by Kate Phillips)