Saving Hanno

"Miriam Halahmy draws on real events for a short chapter book set in the months before World War II. The story follows a 9-year-old German-Jewish boy, Rudi, who’s separated from his parents and his beloved dachshund, Hanno, when he and his sister are sent on a humanitarian Kindertransport to London. Ensconced with English-speaking foster parents in a strange new culture, Rudi is thrilled when Hanno can join him after a stint in quarantine. But soon there are new threats. Not only does German bombing mean that Rudi is to be displaced again, to the countryside, but Hanno is now at risk from a government campaign to euthanize pets, lest food run short and, in the chaos of war, the animals run wild. "

* Wall Street Journal *

“Saving Hanno is about loss and hope. It tells a beautiful story, sadly still so relevant today, about how refugee children experience loss and grieve for the lives they left behind.” 

-- Alf Dubs, Kindertransport survivor and lifelong campaigner for refugees

"Moving, heartfelt...with a steady strong pace and a vivid voice...a fantastic book for 7 upwards."

-- Mary Esther Judy * Fallen Star Stories blog *

"With empathetic illustrations by Karin Littlewood, this is a holocaust story with a difference...and it's one that primary school age readers will certainly relate to. Many primary schools include WW2 as part of their history curriculum and while there are many stories about that terrible time, I would definitely advocate adding this one to the books to be shared."

* Red Reading Hub *

"A beautiful, heartfelt book for younger readers."

* Fallen Star Stories blog *

"Miriam packs so much into this chapter book - the fate of Jewish children entrusted to the Kindertransport, the jeopardy of household pets as war looms...It's a book that deserves a wide readership."

-- Keren David * Booktrust *

"A neat little book that makes a fantastic addition to World War 2 and Holocaust literature for children aged 7-11, while also addressing themes still relevant today for refugee children."

* Just Imagine *

"The combination of simple text and gentle illustrations make the difficult themes of loss, dislocation and  necessary resilience accessible to younger readers...There are no easy resolutions...but hope, courage and resourcefulness, as well as loss and fear, play a large part in this story." 

* Books for Kee