Ginnette Cameron-Gardner – Primary Teacher/Librarian

Hitler’s Canary by Sandi Toksvig

Year 6 students are currently reading Holocaust Fiction and one of the many such novels that we hold in the Primary Library that are in this category is ‘Hitler’s Canary’ by Sandi Toksvig, located at JF TOK, barcode 064267. This novel is based upon historical events and the experiences of the author’s family during WWII.

The book begins in April 1940 when the Germans invaded Denmark. Ten-year-old Bamse, the youngest son of an actress and an artist, has grown up surrounded by theatre people. 

His family’s involvement in the war escalates swiftly from the fun tricks that Bamse and his best friend, Anton, a Jew, play on the German soldiers to a more serious situation when his older brother, Orlando, joins the Resistance and is increasingly involved in more dangerous activities. Bamse’s father remained cautious of getting involved.

One year after the Germans invade, the British are referring to the Danes on radio as ‘Hitler’s canary’ saying: “Hitler has them in a cage and they sing any tune he wants”. 

This is an inspiring story of the courage of ordinary citizens rallying to save their Jewish countrymen from deportation and extermination under the noses of their Nazi occupiers.

Many citizens willingly put their lives at risk to participate in the ten-day rescue of the Danish Jews during the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur holidays of 1943. Close to 7200 Jews escaped to Sweden. Sandi Toksvig expertly balances the seriousness of the situation with humour and adventure, as she depicts the war through the eyes of a remarkably brave boy.

Suitable for readers aged 10-14.

Enthusiastic Readers Challenge

So many students came asking, “What can I do now that I have completed the Challenge?” that I created an Enthusiastic Readers Challenge.

This Challenge is for those who have completed the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge. The books they read must not be books entered for the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge, must be suitable for the students own age group and do not have to be on the PRC Booklist.

Saskia Esra – Year 1

The first student to achieve the newly formed Challenge is Saskia Esra who completed the 20 book reading challenge on 27 July 2017. Mazal tov Saskia.

NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge

Year 6 students Brooke Rosen, Jordin Sank, Clio Stockley,  Ava Rose and Tobias Topolinsky completed the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge. Well done!

There is still time for students to enter their reading and complete the Challenge.