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Scholastic Canada Ltd.
ISBN 0-439-95638-2 PBK
112 pages
Ages 10 +
4 3/16” x 6 ¾”

by Carol Matas

The Nazis have invaded Denmark. But Lisa and her family refuse to perish without a fight. Her father, a doctor, treats resistance fighters in secret, and her older brother Stefan enlists in the anti-Nazi movement. Then Lisa joins the resistance to seek revenge, and she realizes the war her people are fighting is a lonely and deadly one.


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Excerpt from LISA
by Carol Matas

How can I warn these people without endangering us all?

The couples are chatting among themselves about spending Rosh Hashanah with their children and grandchildren. Now I know for sure that they’re Jewish.

Suddenly I get an idea. It’s a natural for me. I put my head between my knees and start to moan a bit.

Immediately, both women are huddled around me.

“What is it, my dear? Are you ill?”

“I feel awful,” I say. “Could . . . would one of you take me to the washroom?”

“Yes, yes, of course, dear,” says the older woman.

“No, Mother, you stay here,” the daughter insists. “I’ll take her.”

She puts her arm under mine and leads me out of the compartment. The washroom is down at the end of the corridor. I stop her halfway there. There’s no one around, so I try to talk quickly, before someone happens along.

“I’m all right, really, but I had to talk to you.” Her eyebrows rise.

“I didn’t know if I could talk safely in front of that young man.”

Again she says nothing, but nods and listens.

“Rabbi Melchior announced at services this morning that the Germans will start rounding up the Jews on Rosh Hashanah. I suppose that means tonight or tomorrow. You must warn your family and find somewhere to hide.” Now it is she who looks faint. I put a hand under her elbow.

“Are you all right?”

She nods. “Yes. Yes. I’ve been waiting for this. We heard about the list of names being stolen from the Community Centre. But where can we go?”

“Where do your children live?”

“In Holbæk.”

“Well, they must have many friends who aren’t Jewish.”

“Of course,” she replies.

“Then I’m sure you won’t have a problem. Their friends will hide you. But then you must try to get a boat to Sweden.”

She takes my hand. “Thank you, young lady,” she says. “What is your name?”

“Lisa.”

“Lisa. My name is Jytte. Thank you, my dear. You may have saved our lives, although hiding, trying to sneak over to Sweden, all seems so impossible. I don’t know. Perhaps it would be easier just to wait for the Germans. My parents aren’t strong anymore.”

“No, no, you mustn’t,” I insist. “People will help, you’ll see. You have to be strong — for your parents’ sake, too. You have to try. At least you’ll have a fighting chance.”

From Lisa. Copyright © 1987 by Carol Matas.

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"Lisa was a good book about the Holocaust and about smuggling Jews to safety." Samatha R. "It is a very good book!!!!!!!!!!" Maya P., Age 11, Manitoba, Rating: 10

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