Escape From Germany Book Review
Book: Escape From Germany (A Kids on a Mission book)
Author: Sian Bessey
Publisher: Covenant Communications
When Matt Williams sees the tool shed on the MTC grounds glowing, he has to hop the fence from his yard and find out what is happening. His sister Emily, comes along to keep him out of trouble, and when the children go inside, they find an envelope that contains their mission call…but it's signed by Heber J. Grant and their call to Germany is dated for 1939. They clip on their name tags and are promptly transported to the critical moments before World War II. The missionaries have been directed by the prophet to leave Germany before Hitler takes over the trains. Some missionaries are already being detained, questioned and even injured. The children find themselves in a crowded train station, filled with people desperate to escape the country. Suddenly they hear someone whistling, "Do What Is Right." They follow the sound and find some missionaries and church leaders, and soon figure out their mission. They begin an adventure which sends them to track down missing missionaries and help them reach the train in safety. Along the way, they must help a missionary escape from Gestapo headquarters, and even escape Hitler's soldiers themselves. Although the time traveling youngsters are, of course, imaginary, the basic story of the church's work to get these missionaries out of Germany is true. The facts are explained in a brief chapter at the end of the book.
Escape from Germany is a fast-paced, exciting novel for children in elementary school. Although there is plenty of adventure, it is not too frightening even for children as young as seven years of age. The children are nine and eleven, making the book suitable for any elementary school student who can read or listen to a novel. The gospel principles are sound and parents will be very comfortable leaving their children in the hands—and stories—of Sian Bessey.
Sister Bessey was born in England and grew up in Wales. She has written several other books for children and adults, and Escape From Germany is the first in a series of books about these time traveling junior missionaries. In a recent interview, Sister Bessey said, "My goal is to help children realize that every country has its own LDS Church history—pivotal times that are as defining to children of other cultures as the pioneer trek is to most Utah-born children. And just as stories of the Utah pioneers can inspire us, so too can the lesser known stories of LDS heroes in other lands. I really want children to recognize the world-wide nature of the Church. I hope I’m able to teach them a little about other countries and cultures while they’re enjoying an adventure that has a gospel message."
Sister Bessey has created two very engaging characters who solve challenging problems, but always in a manner that is believable for children their age. Like most LDS children, they rely on prayer and faith, but they are realistic and are not syrupy children. The story moves along quickly without preaching and gospel principles are taught gently and always in the context of the story, without preaching. I'm looking forward to additional volumes of a series so fascinating I could enjoy it at my own level.