The Enemy Above by Michael Spradlin

Spradlin, Michael P. The Enemy Above, 240 pages.  Scholastic, JULY 2016.  $17.  Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (some deaths).

Anton’s family didn’t leave the Ukraine when they had a chance and now they are on the run from a Nazi leader who is determined to make a good name for himself by capturing and killing as many Jews as possible.  The escaping group finds a temporary hiding place in a series of caves, but a dogged commander spots something odd and the group barely escapes capture.  Now Anton is separated from almost everyone else and must make his way to safety.

Now that there are so few Holocaust survivors still alive, I think it is more important than ever to keep their memories alive.  This is not a memoir, but does introduce young readers to The Priest’s Grotto, a series of limestone caves which helped save many lives during WWII.

EL, MS – ADVISABLE.  Cindy, Library Teacher