The Light in Hidden Places Book Review
The Light in Hidden Places by Sharon Cameron book review and recommendation with NO SPOILERS
Date: 12-28-24 Post Written By: MK Overall Rating: 10/10
Book Cover Rating: 6.2/10
(My personal opinion)
Title: The Light in Hidden Places
Author: Sharon Cameron
Pages: 400
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction
Subplots: Romance, War
Publisher: Scholastic Inc
First Published: 2020
Number of Editions: 51
Goodreads Rating: 4.53/5
Number of Goodreads Ratings: 34,054
Amazon Rating: 4.7/5
Number of Amazon Ratings: 4,979
Common Sense Media Age Recommendation: 13+
Book Type: Standard
Hook: Stefania was only twelve years old when she left home, and moved into the city of Przemyśl, Poland. In the four year since, she met the kind Diamant family. She moved in, and lived with them. She knew the Diamants like family. So, it was quite the shock when the Nazis suddenly invaded Prezemsyl. Even more so when the Diamants, as jews, were taken into the ghetto. Stefania is Catholic, so she is ‘safe’. At least, in comparison to the jews. But living alone as a Catholic girl in a Nazi occupied city has its own dangers. Soon after the Diamants are taken to the ghetto, Stefania technically isn’t alone anymore. She briefly returns to her childhood home and finds her younger sister, Helena. On their return to Przemyśl, Stefania takes in and begins to care after Helena. Then…. the knock comes. It’s Max, one of the Diamant boys. He jumped from a Nazi train and begs for shelter. Stefania, still a teenager, makes the tremendous decision to take him in and offer protection. From there, she takes in twelve more jews. Stefania seriously doesn’t think she can handle any more… then the next knock comes. This time, it is the Nazis. Claiming they need to take her house, and use it as Nazi housing- unbeknownst to them, all thirteen jews are still living in the attic.
Overall Book Rating: 10/10
I would undoubtably recommend this book
Review: Wow Wow Wow!! There is such a FINE line between books that make you cry your eyes out (in a way that makes you feel INVESTED in a book), and books that just make you just feel depressed and sad. Sharon Cameron walked that line AMAZINGLY!! I was SO invested in this book, cried a little, but was NEVER dragged down by the awful things happening (it takes place in WWII, so… clearly there is no lack of awful events). I LOVED the main character and felt like she was inspiring, but also relatable. She was powerful and brave, while still having human emotions and feelings. The plot kept me engaged, and I actually really liked the side characters too. THEN, I remembered this was a TRUE story about a REAL person, which made me LOVE this book even more!! This book was FABULOUS!!
Main Characters:
Stefania Podgórska- Stefania, or Stefusia, or Stefushka, or Stefi, but usually Fusia, is a Catholic girl from Poland. She is sixteen, brave and daring, but also full of human emotions like fear and doubt.
Helena Podgórska- Helena is Fusia’s younger sister. She is also a Catholic girl from Poland. She is six, though she is brilliant socially, and great at lying/bluffing her way through situations.
Max Diamant- Max is a Jewish boy from Poland. He is just a few years older than Fusia. He has three brothers. He is brave and protects those he cares about.
The fact that these people were real and truly did such AMAZING acts of kindness and generosity!! I can’t even wrap my head around how difficult this situation must have been and how much bravery these people had.
Character Rating: 10/10
Setting:
This book takes place in Poland from 1936-1944. For the most part, it takes place in a city called Przemyśl.
Setting Rating: 10/10
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Sharon Cameron has written over seven books
She has won multiple awards, and her books have been starred on multiple lists
Her books have been sold in over 15 countries
For more information, view Sharon Cameron’s website: sharoncameronbooks.com
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Extra:
If anyone is interested, there is a foundation called The Stefi Foundation all about Stefania Podgórska and what she did. I don’t know much about the foundation, but I read the page with Stefi’s story (which happens to match up PERFECTLY with Sharon Cameron’s writing), and it is SO amazing and inspirational. They work to spread Stefi’s story around the world. The foundation also has pictures of Stefi and Helena (which I thought was pretty cool), and a spot to donate to the foundation. I highly encourage you to go check it out. The Stefi Foundation
What did you think of this book??