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Reviews

"Modern children are so far removed from the Holocaust that it is extremely difficult to convey its horrors. Upjohn makes this true story personal, immediate and accessible without resorting to bathos or sentimentality. Benoit’s sepia-tinted, ominously shadowed illustrations convey darkness, fear and uncertainty...Powerful and deeply moving." -Kirkus Reviews, 09/15/2012

"This picture book introduces a very difficult topic to young children. It could be used to explore themes of tolerance and acceptance of different beliefs and customs within a community, and discrimination on a larger scale using the holocaust as one example." -Canadian Teacher Magazine, 09/01/2012

"With a reporter’s eye for action and detail, she brings alive the horror, deprivation, and even boredom that the hidden Jews face while Anton, who never sheds his oddness, bravely denies their presence to both the Germans and the anti-Semitic villagers." - Publisher's Weekly, 09/17/2012

"The content is delivered in easy to understand and compassionate language. Further, the story provides teachable moments surrounding human nature." - CM Magazine, 10/05/2012

"This book is a great introduction to the second world war and recent European history, as well as a heartwarming story of how standing up for your beliefs in the face of opposition is a heroic thing to do. Benoit's illustrations are great at bringing the reader into the time period and also for creating a feeling of empathy with the worried young people." -Perogies & Gyoza Book Blog

"The Secret of the Village Fool, well told, beautifully illustrated and expertly researched (timeline, facts & photographs included in the after), belongs in your library." - Jewish Kids Book Circle, 11/09/2012

"Sometimes we forget that true stories like this are actually true. There is a straight line from these young boys pre-war, through their wartime experiences, to the photographic record which follows the narrative. When the reality of that fully strikes the reader, it’s overwhelming...This is why people tell stories. This is why we read them. To remind us of the wonder in our world." -Buried in Print

"The Secret of the Village Fool was a great educational children's book. Not only will the children like it for the eye catching illustrations and interesting story line but adults will like it as well because it teaches factual information about WWII." -Kayla's Reads and Reviews

"A true story, showing courage and kindness during a time of war." -Polish American Journal, 12/21/2012

"This picture book is a good starting place for introducing children to the Holocaust. They will learn that Jewish people were hated by the Nazis, that people for forced out of their homes and send away, that children and parents were sometimes separated, and that neighbors either looked the other way or colluded with the Nazis. But they will also see that not everyone agreed with what was happening, that there was a minority who didn't and some who even risked their lives to help." -The Children's War, 12/13/2012

"An excellent spring board in understanding oppression and social justice, humanitarianism, the Holocaust in World War II and the courage of people to stand up and fight for right, this book is highly recommended for inclusion in school and classroom libraries." - Resource Links, December 2012

"Ms. Upjohn wrote a phenomenal story in words and terms children can understand. Add Benoit’s extraordinary artwork that imagines in detail what this family went through, and the book becomes an extraordinary slice of World War II." - Kid Lit Reviews, 01/09/2013