A Family Secret
From the innocent to the heroic, from the passive to the brutal, this graphic novel does a remarkable job of communicating one of the most perplexing and disturbing events in history.
$14.99
Quantity:
In a Curriculum Kit
Supplemental Material
Nonconsumable
Nonreligious
2026 Sixth-Grade Curriculum Kit
A Family Secret
A Family Secret introduces World War II and the Holocaust through the perspective of Jeroen, a Dutch boy who uncovers his grandmother's past during the Nazi occupation. As he learns about her Jewish friend and neighbor, the story gives readers a personal way to understand a painful chapter of history.
The graphic novel format makes the content accessible while still presenting a range of experiences. Readers meet resistance fighters, passive bystanders, collaborators, and brutal Nazis, helping students see not only what happened, but how ordinary people made choices in the face of injustice. The storyline follows a clear sequence of events grounded in historical context.
A note for parents: This book addresses the Holocaust and includes difficult subject matter. Many families choose to read it together or preview it in advance to decide the best fit for their child.
How to Use A Family Secret
- Pre-read or read together. The book treats the Holocaust honestly, and content that suits one family may not suit another. Reading it yourself first, or reading alongside your child, helps you support the moments that need discussion.
- Read at a pace that fits your goals. A child who's ready may read the whole graphic novel in one or two sittings. Families using it for conversation and reflection can read a few pages at a time, pausing to discuss and process.
- Pair it with conversation. The book is designed to raise hard questions about World War II, the Holocaust, and the choices people made. Be available for the conversations that start.
You may think that the comic book medium is primarily for mainstream American children who are peppered by snack-size visual and audio bombardment. If you desire that your children slow down and feast on the written word, then you may cringe at the idea of a graphic novel version of Moby Dick. But before you issue a home-wide ban on these books, consider the following.
If you have a reluctant or beginning reader, your first concern should be for fluidity and competency. You will find that the graphic novel's illustrations draw your child in even as the vocabulary becomes more complex. Then, because the graphics are so attention-grabbing, children often find themselves reading for pleasure.
If your reluctant reader is an older child, your main concern may be making sure that he is culturally savvy. With graphic novels, vocabulary is introduced via contextual clues, making great literature accessible to more children. The interesting pictures and snappy dialogue, with little-to-no narration to bog the reader down, will encourage independent reading and learning. As the child's competence and confidence grow, so will his joy of literacy.
Even if your older child is a competent reader, he will enjoy taking a break from the verbally intense books characteristic of higher-level learning to enjoy a more visual form of storytelling. A 2006 study found that the amount of reading children did for fun decreased from the time they were eight through the teen years. Graphic books can re-engage them in the delights of reading for leisure as well as for learning.
There are children who may never read for pleasure; God just might have wired them differently. But most children, from the reluctant, faltering reader to the brilliant but easily bored adolescent, will find graphic novels intriguing.
Publisher's Information
Binding: Paperback
Pages: 64
Publisher: Square Fish, under Macmillan Publishing
Copyright: 2009
Author: Eric Heuvel
English Translation By: Lorraine T. Miller
Production: Anne Frank House, Amsterdam, in cooperation with the Resistance Museum of Friesland
ISBN: 9780374422653
Publisher's Age Recommendation: 10-14
Faith-Based: No
Awards and Endorsements:Kirkus Best Book of the Year
Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year
“Secrets are revealed right up to the present, and in all their complexity, they stay with readers forever. . . . this is a must for the Holocaust curriculum.”
—Booklist, starred review -
review by So Every Day
”The graphic novel genre may not be my favorite, but it’s such a giant lure to my children – and has been for so long – that I have no desire to banish it or condemn it. I’d rather find a way to get great versions in their hands.”
Read the Review
review by Family, Faith, and Fridays
”Giving thoughts and feelings to the characters who "experience" the war brings the stories to life, and I believe help younger children better understand how wars affect people, bringing much empathy and understanding to a generation who has not experienced such hardship as of yet. ”
Read the ReviewFind answers to the most frequently asked questions about this product below:
Most children, from the reluctant, faltering reader to the brilliant but easily bored adolescent, will find graphic novels intriguing. A 2006 study found that the amount of reading children did for fun decreased from when they were eight through their teens. Graphic books can re-engage them in the delights of reading for leisure and learning. Here's an article we wrote with more considerations on Why Graphic Novels.
Customers earn Doodle Dollars for reviewing products they've purchased, and some promotions add an entry in a prize drawing. Rewards never depend on the rating given.
- May 14, 2023
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haley m.
Love learning through these graphic novels
- September 16, 2021
Excellent introduction to WWll
Riley
We are using this book as our intro into WWll. The illustrations keep my daughter’s attention and the content is really good.
- October 24, 2020
Great Reading
Rebecca O.
This was kid-friendly and interesting.
- October 1, 2020
Graphic novels!
Hayes
I love that Timberdoodle includes graphic novels in their lots. Not all children love reading...but graphic novels is a great and softer way to get children reading.
- September 14, 2020
Jessica B.
My child loved this one and it keeps her attention.
- August 22, 2020
Don't knock graphic novel/books
Leanne
My daughter is autistic and can read very well, however she really gravitates toward graphic novels. Having visual illustrations really help her learn, and encourage her not to get overwhelmed by text (she has trouble with smaller print, text-only pages). It is a fantastic, engaging way to teach kids about this difficult subject. This format is a way of storytelling that can really benefit kids with different abilities and needs.
- July 28, 2020
Highly recommend!
Lauren
My son was very hesitant to read anything about the Holocaust. I wanted him to read Anne Frank, but he refused. This is written in a much more kid friendly way. I definitely recommend these books!
- March 3, 2015
Wow.
Chrysta B.
My elementary age boys were fascinated by this book. "Mom, did this REALLY happen?" The horror of the Haulocaust is presented in a way that is appropriate for children, while totally telling the truth. I am glad I bought both this book and The Search.
