The Little Riders

by Margaretha Shemin

Book Overview

This short classic novel set during World War II is an exciting, moving adventure story.

"Take care of the little riders," says Johanna's father to the eleven-year-old when he leaves her with his parents for an extended vacation in their Dutch village

And Johanna does. She loves the twelve metal figures on horseback who ride forth each hour from the clock on the ancient church tower. She would do anything...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0688124992
• ISBN13: 9780688124991
• Release Date: April 1993
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Length: 80 Pages
• Weight: 0.21 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 5.3" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

The Little Riders

The copy that was sent to me for just over $13 was unacceptable. I wish I could add a picture of the condition of this book.

An Outstanding Story of Courage

Johanna, a young Dutch-American girl, is visiting her grandparents in Holland when World War II breaks out and Holland is invaded by the Germans. To her dismay, the Nazis appropriate her bedroom to be the living quarters of one of their officers. This not only produces inconvenience for the girl, but also endangers her grandparents who are leaders in the resistance movement. She takes consolation in watching the village's treasured Little Riders, iron figures of noblemen commemorating the Crusades, which make their circuit in the church steeple as the great clock strikes the hours. When the Nazis announce their intention to melt the Little Riders down for ammunition, Johanna joins the movement to keep the statues out of the Nazis' hands. When plans to smuggle them out of town go wrong, Johanna is left alone with them and she heroically implements a desperate solution. The story ends with a surprise which underscores the humanity of all people who participated in this war. This riveting story gently introduces the pain and evil involved in World War II, without going into graphic detail about the horrors of the war. Johanna's courage and loyalty are very admirable, and they seem to grow naturally in the context of her family's values of love and courtesy. The book is written at a transitional reader's level and (unlike most war stories) is appropriate for precocious pre-readers.

"Love Your Enemy"

This beautiful little book is extremely well written, with beautiful prose and a beautiful message. This book sparked some wonderful discussions with my children regarding the question, "Who are our enemies?" I would recommend this book to anyone. I was comfortable reading it to my 7 and 9 year old children.

The Little Riders by Margaretha Shemin

The Little Riders is a believable tale of the experience of one ten-year-old American girl caught up in World War II when blitzkrieg comes to the Netherlands while she is visiting her Dutch grandparents. The novella offers drama and excitement for young readers. As the reader follows the story of the small acts of resistance against the Nazi occupiers, the imagining of the trials and despair of the war become possible, yet the brutality is kept at a level that allows even a ten-year-old to read the book and emotionally cope. This is an excellent book for introducing World War II studies and for cultivating the understanding that courage is often shown by ordinary people in times of adversity, that creativity and standing together can defeat an enemy. I recommend this book for initial studies of World War II as well as for personal adventure reading.

The Little Riders

I think this is a great book for kids. It is a exciting on the edge of your seat book. I love this book!

One in a life time

This has always been my favorite book it's a don't miss for kids and even as an adult I enjoy it. Little Riers is a pass me down book that can just keeps getting read by every generation. don't miss sharing it with a child in your life