Honey Cake (A Stepping Stone Book

by Joan Betty Stuchner

FOR DAVID NATHAN, Copenhagen is the most beautiful city in the world. Even Nazis in the street can’t make Copenhagen ugly. But life has changed since the soldiers arrived. His parents are always worried. And his older sister goes to school early and comes home late. Sometimes she doesn’t come home at all! David’s father is a baker, and since the war began, butter and cream are very hard to find. So David is amazed when his father makes a “special order” of cream-filled chocolate eclairs. But when no one comes to pick up the eclairs, David is asked to run a very special errand. It’s an errand that will change his life . . . forever. Joan Betty Stuckner’s early chapter book brings an important time period to light in a way that is thrilling, inspirational, and age-appropriate for Stepping Stone readers.


From the Hardcover edition.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Childrens, World War II, Middle Grade, Chapter Books

112 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Joan Betty Stuchner loved stories. When she wasn’t writing, she worked in a library, taught part-time and acted in community theater. Sadly, Joan lost her battle with cancer on June 7, 2014, but her stories will continue to bring joy to readers for years to come.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed for SLJ. It was okay - definitely written for those kids not quite ready for Lois Lowry's "Number the Stars". As a result, I felt like it lacked a lot of emotional punch...though I suppose you don't want anything too frightening for that 2nd-4th grade crowd. Nevertheless, I was underwhelmed.

[Brooklyn || The Wild Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was beautifully written, and a meaningful introduction to WWII and Nazi occupation to early/new readers. I loved how the story drew readers into David's emotional world while still offering short chapters and easy language.

[Canadian Children's Book Centre]

Joan Betty Stuchner’s Honey Cake chronicles the fictional exploits of one Jewish family caught up in the madness of the Nazi occupation of Denmark. In eight short chapters, she allows younger readers to become part of the Nathan and Jensen families from September to November of 1943, as nine-year-old David Nathan and his best friend Elsa Jensen live with the changes forced on both home and business life. Black-out curtains, air raids (with warnings from the Jensen’s budgies) and secrets entailing both honour and bravery leave readers breathless for more. Struchner introduces revered Danish notables like King Christian X, Hans Christian Andersen and Victor Borge, adding flavour in much the same way David’s mother adds the spices to her famous honey cake (symbolic of the friendship between the Jewish Nathan and Christian Jensen families). Subsequently the Nathans are hidden and helped to escape to Sweden. The simple plot is appropriate for a younger reader’s glimpse at a very difficult period and the black-and-white illustrations of Cynthia Nugent capture perfectly both the tensions of the characters and their joy. Her drawing of the comic silliness of the goose-stepping children behind the Nazi soldiers acts as a perfect foil to the story’s dialogue of parental concern for their safety. Unfortunately, the book lacks cover appeal for the age group. Each year, at my school, we tell the story of the brave Danes and their King using the picture book The Yellow Star by Carmen Agra Deedy and illustrated by Henri Sørensen. This year we will certainly highlight Honey Cake as the perfect continuation to their study. With a recipe for honey cake included in the book and an afterword detailing more of the story, it’s certain to improve the students’ understanding of this time.

Reviewed by Ellen Donogh in Canadian Children's Book News
Fall 2008 VOL.31 NO.4

[Charlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Life in Denmark was good for David Nathan and his family until the Nazis arrived. Now it is 1943 and David's family is especially careful for they are Jewish. The King continues to ride out and greet his subjects and the Nathan family realize how lucky they are compared to the fate of Jews and the stringency of occupation in other countries. When David learns his sister is somehow involved in the opposition, he worries about her and others who bravely risk their lives. Then David's father sends him on a very special delivery from the family bakery and David suddenly realizes the full danger that the Nazis pose.

Many books about this era are either much more difficult or shorter picture books. This book will be accessible to those who have just moved into chapter books. Because it is set in Denmark, it is not as blunt about the Nazi atrocities, but it presents a good picture of what was going on within Denmark and about the risks Jews faced during this period. Pair this book with Carmen Agra Deedy's The Yellow Star: The Legend of King Christian X of Denmark.

The book closes with a recipe for David's mother's honey cake and with an afterward that tells a bit more about some Danish heroes of this era.

Sidenote: A budgie is named Victor after the Danish comedian/pianist Victor Borga who escaped to America. I'm old enough to remember seeing Borga perform on the Ed Sullivan show. The story also refers to Danish author Hans Christian Andersen.

[Rhiannon's Reading Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Copenhagen is a beautiful city, even during the war. David is looking forward to having his writing published in the school paper, and to performing in a play with his friends. After delivering a mysterious box of éclairs for his father's bakery, though, David's life will change forever. The Nazis begin to push their regime harder in Denmark, and David's family must make a difficult journey to safety.

Suggested for ages 7+

OVERALL RATING 8/10
I think this is a wonderful introduction to the topic of World War II for a young audience! This book is concise, entertaining, short, and not too upsetting. The illustrations add a beautiful touch to the story and make it more appealing for younger children as well. I can imagine this as a great book to read as a family with children of multiple ages, and maybe a good conversation starter if you want to introduce your children to the topics covered in a gentle way.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that gently introduces new readers to the events of World War II and the impact of the German occupation in Denmark. The themes of Nazi era activities, resistance and how the Danish people helped their Jewish friends and neighbours escape prior to a massive Nazi round up are well paced. The character of David is easily understood and he has some very simple heroic moments suitable to a new independent reader. I feel it is definitely geared at the 8 yr old, 9 yr old reading level, for accessibility of concepts - I read it aloud to a 5 and 7 year old over a couple of evenings and their questions matched well with the text - was easy to explain things from this book. The next step would be a more challenging book like Number the Stars.

[Ingrid · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story takes place during WWII and the German invasion of Denmark. David's family is Jewish and his sister is part of the Resistance movement to fight the Nazis. David also winds up helping the Resistance when he is asked by his father to run an important errand. David and his family are able to leave Denmark with the help of the neighbors before the Nazis round up the Jewish citizens. This story reminded me very much of The Number of the Stars, but it is written for younger readers. There is also an Afterword that gives information on the German occupation of Denmark.

[Cynthia Heinrichs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful introduction to one of the little-told stories of WWII. So many of the stories from that time in history are too awful to relate to young people, but this one gives them a taste of the trials and triumphs of Jews and Christians in Denmark that isn't sanitized as much as it is simplified. My favourite thing about the book is that it tells a positive story about an ugly period of history.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A chapter book set in German-occupied Copenhagen in 1943 - a setting I've never come across before. The story centers around the Nathan family - 10-year-old David, his father who is a talented baker, his sister Rachel who is in the Resistance and his mother, who plans to bake a Honey Cake to celebrate the Jewish New Year. However their celebration does not go as planned, as David and his parents must flee for Sweden, to escape German capture.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

David Nathan lives in Copenhagen when it is occupied by Nazis during World War 2. The simple story tells of his life in the beautiful city, how the Danish people helped Jews escape, and how Davids fmily escaped. Not as complex as Number The Stars, but a very easy first exposure to this piece of history

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book for middle-schoolers about the resistance and Jews during World War II in Denmark based on true events. Recently I watched the movie: "Miracle at Midnight" which is about the same thing. Except that all the characters were different, the plot was very similar. It even ends exactly the same way. Well done.

[Michael Kearney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read about occupied Denmark. For being a high/low book this one hit the mark. The bonus was the suspense created when the main character, a school boy runs an errand for the underground, and later when the family (who are Jewish) flee for Sweden. This book isn't Number the Stars, but a very good read.

[Mazzou B · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great introduction to world war 2 for kids! With the large text and easy to comprehend story, I thought it perfect for 8-year olds. The story is also interesting enough that I wasn't bored as I pre-read it for my sister.

[Melanie Au · Rating 3 out of 5]

May be a simpler alternative to Number the Stars.

[Linnea · Rating 3 out of 5]

A children's story about the Nazi occupation of Denmark--set in Copenhagen. Tells the story of how the non-Jewish population of Denmark helped save many of the Danish Jews.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice example of a short chapter book that is engaging and interesting. The Nazi invasion of Copenhagen is the setting, and we see how one boy's life is changed. Subtle and well done.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is basically the cliff-notes of Lois Lowry's Number the Stars. But it is a nice introduction the Holocaust history for young readers without being to complex or frightening.

[Katey Thompson · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story of Denmark during WW II is one I have loved for many years. Sadly, this story is so poorly written that it makes the beauty of its inspiration seem flat and insipid. Try something else.

[Llamarae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple children's story yet provides history during the Nazi era. Highly recommended for everyone.

[Mille · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really sweet book any child Can read, and learn about second World war in a properly way. Also good story.

[Maggie Mcateer · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter learned about WWII from this book, in an age appropriate and compassionate way.

[RebeccaS · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's pretty good but didn't make much sense

[Amelia Talbot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the questions it gives you and answers it at the very end of the book I also like the surprises

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this to Jackson. He gave it 5 stars; Mom gives it 4.

Very similar to Number The Stars although not as intense for younger readers.