About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is beginning to ask deep questions about moral conviction, the cost of bravery, or how one person can possibly stand up against systemic injustice. It is an ideal choice for a young person who feels small or powerless in the face of world events and needs to see a model of quiet, persistent courage. Based on a true story, the book follows Stefania Podgorska, a Polish Catholic girl who hid thirteen Jewish people in her attic during the Holocaust while caring for her younger sister. It balances the terror of the era with a profound sense of human decency. While the setting is historical and intense, the emotional core focuses on the bonds of family and the split second decisions that define a life. This is a powerful tool for discussing ethics, empathy, and the weight of keeping secrets for the greater good.
