The Hidden Room

De: William Durbin, Barbara Durbin

Narrado por: Dan Blackwell

Could you survive in a cave...for a whole year? That's the challenge facing 14-year-old Jacob. Set in Ukraine during the final months of World War II, The Hidden Room is based on the true story of a Jewish family who escapes from the Nazis by taking refuge in a remote cave.

Jacob adjusts to the hardships of living underground and the dangers of nighttime adventures outside the cave. Food is scarce. Darkness, bone-chilling cold, and the fear of being captured are constant. But a surprising discovery gives his family reason to hope.

Bringing young listeners back to this time of terror, The Hidden Room reveals little-known but vivid historical details of Ukraine, including Stalin's brutal pre-war campaign of forced starvation, known as the Holodomor. You will celebrate the courage of a family who stays positive, even in the face of adversity that threatens their survival.

William Durbin, winner of the Great Lakes Book Award and two Minnesota Book Awards, is the author of 14 historical novels, including The Broken Blade; Wintering; Blackwater Ben; Deadman's Rapids, coauthored with his wife, Barbara; The Darkest Evening; and three books in Scholastic's My Name Is America series.

©2022 William Durbin (P)2023 William Durbin

Great story and well done voiceover.

I read the book and loved it. Thought I should try the audio book to share with my family. Everyone else loved it as well.

The story has a great mix of highlighting the evils of war and how love can overcome. The parents took a very traumatic experience (including living in the cave) and instead framed it as an adventure and time for bonding. As a parent I struggle with how much to share my troubles with my children. This book made me hopeful and appreciative of all the good in my life. Highly recommend for all ages but especially families.