[ { A TIME TO CHOOSE } ] by Attema, Martha (AUTHOR) Jan-01-1999 [ Paperback ]

by Martha Attema

Based on a true story, this award-winning book tells the tale of a sixteen-year-old boy whose father becomes a Nazi collaborator.

Genres: Young Adult

Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

I was born on a dairy farm in Friesland, a northern province in the Netherlands. I loved horse back riding and dressing up in a traditional Frisian costume. When I grew up I became a kindergarten teacher.

In 1981, I moved with husband, Albert, and our three children to Canada. We settled in North Bay, Ontario.

The English language was new to me. To learn this new language I went to university to obtain my B.A. and B.Ed. In 1987 I became a kindergarten teacher for the second time. I started writing in the English language and with the encouragement of my writing friends at the North Bay Writers' Club, I started submitting stories to publishers.

After many years and many rejection letters, my first novel, 'A Time to Choose' was accepted by Orca Book Publishers, and launched in the fall of 1995. It was a dream come true and the beginning of a wonderful rewarding writing career.

Reviews

[Gabriele Goldstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book might have come out almost 20 years ago, but its story has not aged at all. The Second World War is still a relevant topic and I appreciate the Dutch setting of this YA novel. While I knew that Canadian soldiers were seen as liberating the Dutch from the Nazi oppressors and that Anne Frank came from Holland, I knew little else about that nation's situation during Nazi times.

This story, told from a Canadian/Dutch author highlights the difficult situation that Dutch citizens faced. Attema did an amazing job of highlighting not only the stress of Nazi-occupation, but also the struggle within families as they tried their best to deal with the ugliness of war.

Appreciated the map, the pronunciation guide and the bibliography. Highly recommended.

[Laird Jaques · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book A Time to Choose was an excellent book because of the insights it gives the reader into the life of a 16 year old boy living in an occupied country. Even though this story takes place in WW2 the conditions would have been similar. The thoughts of a boy my age helped me to understand what life was like back than how sneaking out to meet your girlfriend could get you killed with curfews so early you have to run not to break them. The frustration you feel over the stalemate the war has come to your father is a collaborator a traitor to your country you want to join the resistance to fight back this is what you faced the entire war fear of discovery because you joined the resistance. The biggest event in the book that has a historical reference is when most of the resistance group Jonnas is apart of is captured trying to save their leader. He takes part in one of the biggest wartime jail breaks to save his best friend discovery means death you’re out all night and your family has no clue what you do if you die they will never know and you’re scared senseless.

[Roshni]

this book scared me so bad in 3rd grade i told my dad to bury it in the backyard !!