Hitler invaded Holland in May 1940. To force a quick surrender, he flattened downtown Rotterdam
Suspenseful Fictional Book about World War II
The Winged Watchman by Hilda Van Stockum is a work of fiction based on the history of World War II in Holland. It is rich in suspense, characterization, plot, as well as spiritual truth.
World War II in Holland How do we tell our children and grandchildren about the hell of World War II, of Hitler, and the Nazi Occupation of the Netherlands?
One way is to look at the Dutch Resistance from the perspective of two young brothers, Joris, 10, and Dirk Jan, 14, who lived in a miller’s home east of Leiden.
The brothers find a downed RAF pilot. Their friend, an older teenage girl, works for the Resistance. But their neighbor is a traitor, a Landwatcher…
The city of Nijmegen, after being bombed by Hitler’s air force during the failure of the Allied “Bridge Too Far” attack.
Canadian troops arrive in May 1945 to help secure the liberation of the Netherlands.
About the Book
The Winged Watchman
Originally published and reprinted by Farrar, Straus and Giroux in the United States, and translated into three other languages, The Winged Watchman has sold close to 200,000 copies. It is available as an audio and Kindle book. It was named a “Notable Book” by the American Library Association. It received the Brotherhood Award of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. Van Stockum’s work is known for her warm, vivid, and realistic depictions of family life in the face of danger. The book shows the courage of a Dutch miller’s family as they resist Hitler’s Occupation of Holland from 1940 to 1945. The story is told from the point of view of two brothers, ages 10 and 14, and an older teenage girl who is their friend and works for the Resistance. The book has been translated into Danish, Dutch, and French. It has become popular among homeschoolers and readers interested in the roles of philosophy, spirituality, and religion in the Resistance. Above all, it explores the anxiety, grief, and bravery of mothers during the Occupation.
Buy the Book
The Wedding of Hilda van Stockum and E. R. (Spike) Marlin, 1932. © Hilda van Stockum Estate
.JPG "Hilda Van Stockum")
Hilda van Stockum as an art student, 1931. © Hilda van Stockum Estate
Hilda and Spike as newlyweds, 1933. © Hilda van Stockum Estate
About the Author
Hilda van Stockum (1908-2006) was born in Rotterdam and married an American who roomed with her brother at Trinity College, Dublin. She became an internationally noted author and illustrator of classic children’s books, including A Day on Skates (Harper & Brothers, 1934), for which she received one of the three Newbery honors in 1935. Van Stockum also wrote for young adults. One of her best-known YA works, The Winged Watchman (Farrar Straus, 1962), shows the courage of a Dutch miller’s family as they resisted Hitler’s Occupation of Holland from 1940 to 1945. During her lifetime, Van Stockum wrote and illustrated more than 30 books, many of which have been recently republished in English and other languages by Bethlehem Books, the Purple House Press, and by Van Stockum’s Estate under the Boissevain Books imprint. These books include Patsy and the Pup, Penengro, Little Old Bear, Kersti and Saint Nicholas, and King Oberon’s Forest.
Learn More About the Author
Buy the Book
Sign up for news about Hilda van Stockum, her books, family, and blog maintained by her son John Tepper Marlin by filling out the contact form.
Hilda, her mother Olga Boissevain van Stockum (seated), young Willem van Stockum, and Bram van Stockum. © Hilda van Stockum Estate.
The Borrowed House (1975)
The Borrowed House was originally published by Farrar Straus, then by Bethlehem Books, and currently by Purple House Press. The following note is excerpted from “Audrey’s Review,” which gives the book a 5-star rating, as do nearly half of the 668 readers:
“Hilda van Stockum is an amazing writer. I’m not sure why her books aren’t better known. As both a child and an ‘adult,’ she is one of my favorite authors. I absolutely LOVED this book. I’d read it before, but it was a long time ago, so the story was mostly fresh to me. I love how Janna’s worldview evolved as she learned more about what is really going on. I greatly enjoyed the characterizations of Hugo (his lectures were brilliant; I could’ve read a book just of them), Mina (how she kept spouting Bible passages), and Sef. I kind of wish there was a sequel to find out what happened after the war with Sef and Janna (hopefully, they made it through all right). I also would’ve loved to learn more about the Baron and the Junker class in general. I thought his character was really complex and interesting, though I understand Janna's contempt towards him. I admit that when I first read this book (when I was a lot younger), the fact that her mother was having an affair (though *SPOILER* it was never fully realized) kind of went over my head. I never really understood Herr Oster; I think he was basically a good guy but just in denial about what his country was doing. I hope that with the help of his wife and daughter, he eventually wakes up to the truth. I cried at the part where Janna dreams about all the stars. So moving. I thought the inter-weaving of the Norse fairy tale was really brilliant, especially how it kind of comes alive for Janna when she finds the ring. Okay, to summarize: this is one of the best books I’ve ever read. I highly recommend it.
P.S. One passage in particular from this book has really stuck with me, and I think it summarizes what the heart of this story is about:
"It is much easier to believe lies than the truth." "Why?" asked Janna. "Because lies are manufactured to satisfy emotions. A mother would rather believe her pretty girl is lazy than accept the fact that she's a dumb cluck. Germans would rather believe they were stabbed in the back than that they lost a fair fight. And anyone would rather blame someone else for his misfortunes. The truth is hard. Don't fool with it unless you realize that." (p. 114)”
“Hilda van Stockum is an amazing writer. I’m not sure why her books aren’t better known. As both a child and an ‘adult,’ she is one of my favorite authors. I absolutely LOVED this book. I’d read it before, but it was a long time ago, so the story was mostly fresh to me. I love how Janna’s worldview evolved as she learned more about what is really going on. I greatly enjoyed the characterizations of Hugo (his lectures were brilliant; I could’ve read a book just of them), Mina (how she kept spouting Bible passages), and Sef. I kind of wish there was a sequel to find out what happened after the war with Sef and Janna (hopefully, they made it through all right). I also would’ve loved to learn more about the Baron and the Junker class in general. I thought his character was really complex and interesting, though I understand Janna's contempt towards him. I admit that when I first read this book (when I was a lot younger), the fact that her mother was having an affair (though *SPOILER* it was never fully realized) kind of went over my head. I never really understood Herr Oster; I think he was basically a good guy but just in denial about what his country was doing. I hope that with the help of his wife and daughter, he eventually wakes up to the truth. I cried at the part where Janna dreams about all the stars. So moving. I thought the inter-weaving of the Norse fairy tale was really brilliant, especially how it kind of comes alive for Janna when she finds the ring. Okay, to summarize: this is one of the best books I’ve ever read. I highly recommend it.
P.S. One passage in particular from this book has really stuck with me, and I think it summarizes what the heart of this story is about:
"It is much easier to believe lies than the truth." "Why?" asked Janna. "Because lies are manufactured to satisfy emotions. A mother would rather believe her pretty girl is lazy than accept the fact that she's a dumb cluck. Germans would rather believe they were stabbed in the back than that they lost a fair fight. And anyone would rather blame someone else for his misfortunes. The truth is hard. Don't fool with it unless you realize that." (p. 114)”
Sign up for monthly emails updating you on the news about Hilda van Stockum's books and books on World War II for children by completing the contact form.