I’d like to thank Chosen Books/Baker Publishing Group for giving me a copy of The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom in return for my honest review.
In “evil’s hour”, Corrie Ten Boom loved her neighbors. She loved them so much she risked her life and liberty for them. In fact, her extended family did the same–all in the name of Christ.
While Corrie did not lose her life in sacrifice for her neighbors, she did lose her liberty, and she suffered greatly. A number of Corrie’s loved ones died as a direct result of their care for the Jewish people when Nazi troops invaded the Netherlands. Corrie Ten Boom’s living sacrifice is truly inspiring. Her ministry to the suffering–including former Nazi supporters–was a labor of love.
In 1971, The Hiding Place John and Elizabeth Sherrill worked with Corrie Ten Boom to write The Hiding Place, a biography about her life. After repeatedly hearing about her life and ministry from Brother Andrew while they were writing God’s Smuggler, the Sherrills traveled with Corrie, recording her story as well.
The 205-page The Hiding Place: Young Reader’s Version (2015, Chosen Books) is a fabulously abridged version of the original (abridged by Lonnie Hull DuPont). To make this a readable version for young people, there is a good-sized font with a nice amount of white space and a couple of really nice pen and ink drawings each chapter by artist Tim Foley.
The Young Reader’s Edition maintains the structure and voice of the original The Hiding Place, while removing some of Corrie’s musings and descriptions. To help streamline the story, some scenes are also not included in the Young Reader’s Edition. While the depictions of violence, degredation, and death do exist (Corrie Ten Boom was incarcerated in a concentration camp in the middle of Nazi Germany), they are not overly graphic, nor does Corrie dwell on the evil. Rather, she points to God’s providence in the midst of great tribulation.
This is an excellent book. I’m going to place the age level at 8-14. It’s an excellent read-aloud for the middle grades, and a great independent read for advanced middle grade readers and middle school students. For high school students, I’d suggest jumping up to the adult version of the book (see links below).
The Hiding Place: Young Reader’s Edition would coordinate well with studies involving
-
World War II
- Adolf Hitler and the Nazis
- The Netherlands
- Germany
- The 20th Century
- Civil Disobedience
- The Value of Life
You can find The Hiding Place: Young Reader’s Edition at
Amazon:
Christian Book:
For your high school students (and you!), find The Hiding Place: 35th Anniversary Edition at
Amazon:
Christian Book:
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Oooo! This sounds great! Corrie ten Boom was a remarkable woman. The lesson of forgiving your enemies is one that can never be overemphasized. I definitely plan on trying to find a copy of this one to review for our family!
Ms. Ten Boom’s story has grown and challenged me since I first read the “adult version” when I was about 11. I’m pleased to hear this version is available, and I’m eager to read it to see if my daughter is ready to read this for her first time.