Winged Watchman

by Hilda van Stockum

Book Overview

This acclaimed story of World War II is rich in suspense, characterization, plot and spiritual truth. Every element of occupied Holland is united in a story of courage and hope: a hidden Jewish child,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0374384487
• ISBN13: 9780374384487
• Release Date: January 1963
• Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
• Length: 228 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Age Range: 9 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 4 and higher

Customer Reviews

The Winged Watchman

The Winged Watchman is a fictional story about a Dutch family, the Verhagens, who live in a mill in the middle of WWII. They include Mother, Father, Joris, and Dirk Jan. Throughout the process of the book there are many additions to the Verhagen family. They include Trixie (a little Jewish girl who's parents were taken away at the beginning of the war), Freya (an abused dog rescued by Joris), Charles (an English aviator), Uncle Cor (a member of the Underground Resistance Movement), Koba and Betsy (two young girls who came to stay with them because of lack of food at their own house), and Hildebrand (a young man who was interested in studying rather than working in the resistance). The Verhagen family eventually becomes very involved in the resistance movement. It is sad when Uncle Cor dies, but the book actually has a very happy theme to it. This book mixes adventure, history, and suspense, and it's okay for children. They do mention shooting and concentration camps, but they aren't graphically described. They don't happen at the same time. They are mentioned as something that happened somewhere else. This book is a perfect example of the spirit of teamwork.

An eye-opening book for me

There are not many classics in the category of war books, but this one is a masterfully written exception. It follows the experiences of the Verhagens, a small close-knit family living in a windmill named "The Winged Watchman" in the Holland countryside, through WWII. The story begins when Leendert Schenderhans, a boy on a neighboring farm, becomes a Nazi landwatcher, causing trouble for the patriotic Verhagens. Tension mounts as the Verhagens become more and more involved in the war, sheltering runaways, participating in crucial events, like undercover weapon droppings, and aiding their anti-Nazi Uncle Cor. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone desiring a different perspective of WWII than just the American side of the story.

A book not to be forgotten

The Nazi occupations of neighboring European countries is not a subject that is well addressed in children's literature. Here is a chance for young and old alike to face the impact the Nazi occupation had on The Netherlands. It is a fantastic tale of bravery and faith amid the inhumanity of the Nazi mentality and those who cooperated with them. We see how the Nazis courted a young man, known to be bad anyway, for the task of spying and informing on his neighbors. we see how even his own faily was afraid of this youth's power and its abuse. But, we also see the strength of the Dutch character as they suffered hunger , bombings and loss of life and property. Von Stockum has clearly exposed the evil of the Nazis but she has shown the courage of those who fought them. memorable and so appropiate after Sept. 11th.

CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL FICTION DONE WELL! A KEEPER!

I have loved this book since I was a child. It is a fascinating portrayal of life in Holland during the Second World War. It is replete with Dutch customs, such as the significance of the different positions of windmill blades. I really enjoyed the description of the Dutch Christmas with "Sinterklaas." It helps to put a human face on those who suffered during the war. The central characters take in a child whose family was captured by Nazis and raise her along with their children. The description of how Trixie's foster mother teaches her to respond to her natural mother when they are reunited at the end of the war will warm one's heart. The real heroes are "Kees Kip," who might be loosely based on Wallenberg, a humanitarian now famous for saving the lives of many during the war. It is a wonderful book. Please read it.

The most captivating book I've read to my children.

Set in WWII Holland, Hilda Van Stockum, paints a historically accurate picture of family life in the polders and windmills during the Nazi occupation. She describes a Dutch family that must overcome the attrocities of the Germans and remember a greater purpose of life despite these difficulties. I began reading this book to my children, one chapter at a time. It was so good, that we huddled late into the night to read several chapters. In the end, I stayed home from work one morning, just so we could finish it. We can't wait to read her next book!