The Light in Hidden Places by Sharon Cameron

 

Last night, I finished reading The Light in Hidden Places by Sharon Cameron. This historical fiction novel is based on the true story of a Polish teenager, Stefania Podgorska, who hid thirteen Jews in her attic during World War II. At twelve years old, she leaves her family's farm to move to Przemyśl and begins working at the grocery store owned by the Diamants, a Jewish family. By the time she turns sixteen four years later, she is friends with the three youngest sons, Max, Izio, and Henek. She even has a secret romance with Izio. After the Germans invade the city, defeating the Russians, the Jews are forced into a ghetto, including the Diamants. Stefania and Izio are determined for their relationship to beat the odds, but when Izio is taken to a nearby labor camp and their plan for her to rescue him goes devastatingly wrong, he is murdered and she is left alone. Distraught, she goes to visit her family's farm where she discovers that her younger sister, Helena, was abandoned when their mother and brother were taken to a labor camp. Left with no other options, Stefania brings Helena back to her apartment in Przemyśl to take care of her. One night in November 1942, Stefania finds Max knocking at her door and later makes the decision to hide him and twelve other Jews after she moves into a cottage. It is difficult feeding everyone and making sure they are quiet so the neighbors don't hear, but Stefania faces her greatest challenge when the German army requisitions her house for two nurses, coping with the persistent fear of being caught while doing the right thing.

This novel was absolutely amazing, maybe even the best historical fiction novel I've ever read because of the combination of suspense with a dash of slow-burn romance. I've been familiar with Anne Frank's story a long time and knew that many people were caught hiding Jews, but it warmed my heart reading a story of hope that happened during the Holocaust even if some elements were fictionalized. I did some research into Stefania Podgorska while reading the book because I didn't think I could deal with any more heartbreak after she lost Izio, so the ending didn't really come as a surprise to me. I also thought there was some extremely subtle foreshadowing at the beginning of the book, but I wasn't convinced I was right until my research. I love all three of the main characters, Stefania, Helena, and Max, so much. Stefania was so brave doing everything that she did and I really admire her. I wish I had known her story sooner. Helena was the cleverest, though, with her ability to lie and come up with a plan to get notes into the ghetto. I truly enjoyed the relationship between the two sisters and how they worked together to hide their group of Jews. As for Max, I was astounded by his tendency to risk it all in order to survive. I thought he was crazy upon learning that he jumped out of a moving train to avoid dying in one of the camps. Of course, I'm glad that he did it because he made a great leader keeping the group of thirteen organized when it must have been really challenging being in such close quarters with people who didn't always get along. Still, my favorite part has to be the relationship that gradually blossomed between Stefania and Max because of their shared experiences and loss. I would recommend The Light in Hidden Places to anyone who wants to read an incredible story of courage, survival, love, and hope.