Star of Fear, Star of Hope by Jo Hoestlandt, illustrated by Johanna Kang

This picture book memoir takes place in the North of France in 1942, during the Nazi occupation of France. It’s Helen’s birthday, and her best friend, Lydia, is sleeping over to celebrate. When the family learn from a Jewish woman, desperate to go into hiding, that the Nazis are arresting Jews, Lydia begs Helen’s parents to take her home, much to Helen’s anger. They never see each other again.

Genre: Junior Picture Book
Reading level: 7 years +
Publisher details: New York: Walker, 1993