From Publishers Weekly
Although it is billed as "legend," Deedy's (The Library Dragon) WWII story raises disturbing questions regarding the importance of historical accuracy. Here Denmark's courageous King Christian responds to the Nazi edict that all Jews must wear a yellow star by wearing a yellow star himself, and his act inspires his subjects to do likewise. Deedy's writing is vivid and lyricalAbut in an afterword she acknowledges that her story is "unauthenticated" and that no Danish Jews were "forced" to wear the yellow star. As Ellen Levine points out in her recent Darkness Over Denmark (Children's Forecasts, June 26), the order about the star was never issued in Denmark. Where Levine cited the false story of the king's yellow star to explore the facts about Danish resistance to the Nazis, this book, in perpetuating a myth, clouds history; it also deflects from the country's most famous act of resistance in rescuing the overwhelming majority of its Jews (the afterword reports that Danes smuggled over 7,000 Jews to Sweden in fishing boats). Ultimately, despite the graceful prose, the insight offered into a dark era and Danish artist Sorensen's magnificent oil paintings, the book's fundamental flaw is difficult to overlook. Ages 8-12. (Sept.) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From School Library Journal
Grade 2-4-Blending fact with legend, Deedy tells of Denmark's King Christian X's simple act of rebellion and courage, which served to unite his people against the Nazis. It is the king's custom to ride through the streets of Copenhagen unguarded, counting on the love of his people to protect him. When the Nazis circulate the order that all Jews must wear yellow stars on their clothing, the king devises a way to protect them. He makes his morning rounds as is his custom, but wears a yellow Star of David on his finest suit. The final illustrations depict shopkeepers, policemen, and others, all following their monarch's lead. "And, once again, in the country of Denmark, there were only Danes." Deedy's language is simple and rhythmic, relating what she calls in the notes "a story that should be told." Smrensen's period paintings serve almost as formal portraits of individual Danes living their lives in the face of the looming Nazi occupation. This is an interesting and thought-provoking piece of work, but readers are sure to be disappointed to find out that it is legend, and not verified history.Martha Link, Louisville Free Public Library, KY Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Parents' Choice®
Handsome double-page illustrations of Copenhagen and its residents during the Nazi-Occupation of World War II draw us into the events of a terrible time. We meet King Christian as he rides on horseback along the streets. We are with him in his office when he defies the Nazis order to fly their flag over his palace. When the edict comes that "All Jews must sew onto their clothing a yellow star," the king himself is reputed to have sewn a star on his own jacket. No one can actually corroborate this action by the King, yet it is known that no Jews within Denmark were forced to wear the yellow star, and more than 7,000 Danish Jews were smuggled to safety in Sweden during the war. The King's defiance was known throughout Europe and, factually true or legend, the story merits this straightforward retelling. A 2000 Parents' Choice® Gold Award.

Reviewed by Selma G. Lanes, Parents' Choice® 2000


From Booklist
Gr. 3^-5, younger for reading with an adult. Like Levine's Darkness over Denmark (reviewed on p.2023) this fiction picture book makes clear that the legend about the King of Denmark wearing a Jewish star never happened. Her focus is on the country's wise, beloved king and his support of the Jews. When the Nazis order the Jews to wear yellow stars, the king rides out on his horse wearing a star. Then the Danish people wear stars, "And once again, in the country of Denmark, there were only Danes." Sorensen's large, double-page paintings, close-up portraits and street scenes, express the strong individuality and the community of the Danish people and their bond with their leader. Henry Sorensen's pictures dramatize the confrontation between the Nazi commander and the king, as sepia scenes show the terror that is happening in Poland and elsewhere. In contrast are depictions of the warmth and strength of the Danish people going about their business. Deedy's author's note is an essential part of the book, as it distinguishes legend from fact and states the moral issue for discussion: "What if we could follow that example today against violators of human rights?" Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Book Description
For centuries, the Star of David was a symbol of Jewish pride. But during World War II, Nazis used the star to segregate and terrorize the Jewish people. Except in Denmark. When Nazi soldiers occupied his country, King Christian X of Denmark committed himself to keeping all Danes safe from harm. The bravery of the Danes and their king during that dangerous time has inspired many legends. The most enduring is the legend of the yellow star, which symbolizes the loyalty and fearless spirit of the king and his people. The result is a powerful and dignified story of heroic justice, a story for all people and all times.


Card catalog description
Retells the story of King Christian X and the Danish resistance to the Nazis during World War II.


From the Publisher
Recent Awards and Honors: 2002-2003 Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List 2001 Jane Addams Peace Association Honor Book Award 2001 Christopher Award, "Books for Young People Category" 2001 Bologna Ragazzi Award for Children's Non-Fiction 2001 IRA/Notable Books for a Global Society 2001 Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People, "Selector's Choice" 2001 ABA/Bookselling This Week: Kid's Pick of the Lists 2001 CBC/Combined Book Exhibit: Children's Books Mean Business 2001 Storytelling World Award: Stories for Adolescent Listeners 2000 IRA Teacher's Choice (Intermediate) 2000 Parent's Choice Gold Award 2000 Parent's Guide to Media Award Association of Jewish Libraries Notable Book for Children of 2000


About the Author
CARMEN AGRA DEEDY is a professional storyteller and the author of THE LIBRARY DRAGON, THE SECRET OF OLD ZEB, THE LAST DANCE, TREEMAN, and AGATHA'S FEATHER BED. She received the Parent's Choice Gold Award in 1996 for her collection of stories on audiotape entitled GROWING UP CUBAN IN DECATUR, GEORGIA. She lives with her family in Tucker, Georgia. HENRI SORENSEN has illustrated twenty-three books for children. He is also the author-illustrator of two children's books, NEW HOPE and YOUR FIRST STEP. Sorensen lives with his family in Aarhus, Denmark.

ANNOTATION

Retells the story of King Christian X and the Danish resistance to the Nazis during World War II.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Although it is billed as "legend," Deedy's (The Library Dragon) WWII story raises disturbing questions regarding the importance of historical accuracy. Here Denmark's courageous King Christian responds to the Nazi edict that all Jews must wear a yellow star by wearing a yellow star himself, and his act inspires his subjects to do likewise. Deedy's writing is vivid and lyrical--but in an afterword she acknowledges that her story is "unauthenticated" and that no Danish Jews were "forced" to wear the yellow star. As Ellen Levine points out in her recent Darkness Over Denmark (Children's Forecasts, June 26), the order about the star was never issued in Denmark. Where Levine cited the false story of the king's yellow star to explore the facts about Danish resistance to the Nazis, this book, in perpetuating a myth, clouds history; it also deflects from the country's most famous act of resistance in rescuing the overwhelming majority of its Jews (the afterword reports that Danes smuggled over 7,000 Jews to Sweden in fishing boats). Ultimately, despite the graceful prose, the insight offered into a dark era and Danish artist Sorensen's magnificent oil paintings, the book's fundamental flaw is difficult to overlook. Ages 8-12. (Sept.) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Children's Literature - Childrens Literature

King Christian X of Denmark was a much beloved monarch who mixed easily among his countrymen. He knew he was trusted and respected by them and shunned bodyguards or any other royal barriers between himself and his people. Stories are told of his daily rides through the city of Copenhagen and of his stalwart resistance to Nazi oppression and criminality. The legend retold here, is one in which the King risks everything--his identity, his monarchy, and his very life in an attempt to stop the Nazis from tearing apart his country and harming his people. As a model of righteousness, as a clever strategist, and as a devoted leader, King Christian X sets the standard. He deserves a legendary place in history and this elegant picture book places him there, front and center among the heroes of our times. The spare text tells the simple story with splendor and bronze-tinged full-page paintings quietly underscore the heartbreak and the majesty of the man and this legend. 2000, Peachtree Publishers, Ages 6 up, $16.95. Reviewer: Judy Katsh—Children's Literature

The Five Owls

This delightful book by Carmen Agra Deedy, professional storyteller and author of a librarian favorite, The Library Dragon (Peachtree, 1994), is a perfect introduction for young readers to the difficult story of the Holocaust. The Yellow Star retells a well-known story of the good people of Denmark during the Nazi occupation of their country. When the Jews of Denmark were forced to wear yellow stars upon their clothing, King Christian, the legend tells us, was so outraged that he began to wear a star upon his own clothing. The Danish population quietly followed suit and took part in the only recorded state-sponsored act of communal defiance. The story is surprisingly moving because it is told so simply. It would be suitable for a child as young as second or third grade, with a willing adult nearby to answer the many questions that it would surely elicit. The pictures are large and realistic with one page especially charming in its depiction of the different types of Danes living happily in Denmark, including, of course, canine Great Danes. The way the author chooses to reveal the agonizing of the King and his eventual moral decision is suspenseful and inspiring. This book held a group of fourth graders spellbound as I read it to them last month. It would be an excellent addition to the many recent books on tolerance and human rights. Although this legend is not known to be based in truth, the reason the story has persisted in Holocaust lore is precisely because, among Nazi-occupied countries, only Denmark succeeded in rescuing the overwhelming majority of its Jews. (A total of only 60 Danish Jews were killed during this time period.) The author tells us, in her author's note, that thislegend persists because it provides for us a symbol of unity and hope. "What if it had happened? What if every Dane, from shoemaker to priest, had worn the yellow Star of David? And what if we could follow that example today against violations of human rights? What if the good and strong people of the world stood shoulder to shoulder, crowding the streets and filling the squares, saying, 'You cannot do this injustice to our sisters and brothers, or you must do it to us as well.' What if?" 2000, Peachtree, $16.95. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Lisa Handelman — The Five Owls, November/December 2000 (Vol. 15 No. 2)

School Library Journal

Gr 2-4-Blending fact with legend, Deedy tells of Denmark's King Christian X's simple act of rebellion and courage, which served to unite his people against the Nazis. It is the king's custom to ride through the streets of Copenhagen unguarded, counting on the love of his people to protect him. When the Nazis circulate the order that all Jews must wear yellow stars on their clothing, the king devises a way to protect them. He makes his morning rounds as is his custom, but wears a yellow Star of David on his finest suit. The final illustrations depict shopkeepers, policemen, and others, all following their monarch's lead. "And, once again, in the country of Denmark, there were only Danes." Deedy's language is simple and rhythmic, relating what she calls in the notes "a story that should be told." Sirensen's period paintings serve almost as formal portraits of individual Danes living their lives in the face of the looming Nazi occupation. This is an interesting and thought-provoking piece of work, but readers are sure to be disappointed to find out that it is legend, and not verified history.-Martha Link, Louisville Free Public Library, KY Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|

Foreword

While the persecution of Jews during Nazi rule is not a subject normally associated with young children, there comes a time when this distasteful period in world history must be broached. While we might prefer to shield our children from awful truths, we cannot risk ignorance. This book, which tells a legend associated with the Nazi occupation of on is provided.

The interaction between the art and text is seamless and attractive. The text is set in a framed rectangular box that runs vertically down one quarter of the open page. The art smoothly envelops the rest of the double page spread. The art sets a sober and dignified tone. Two pages show generalized monochromatic scenes of how damaging war can be, the rest of the art remains focused in Denmark. Sorensen, an accomplished illustrator, is a native of Denmark. The respect he has for his fellow Danes is clearly expressed through the many group and individual portraits. He is able to capture the austerity of the times while creating a strong sense of place.

The thoughtful story and heartfelt illustrations will involve elementary age children in this legend while exposing them to harsh truths.