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Tulips for breakfast
As Hitler’s reign tightens on Amsterdam, Lena feels the door to her life closing. There are officers swarming every corner, and they’re out for blood.
As the days drag on endlessly, one thing becomes clear: not everyone is going to make it out alive.
A powerful and relatable tale of life, death, friendship and the ability of the human spirit to both endure and transcend evil.
As the days drag on endlessly, one thing becomes clear: not everyone is going to make it out alive.
A powerful and relatable tale of life, death, friendship and the ability of the human spirit to both endure and transcend evil.
- GenresHistorical
200 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 22, 2023
Catherine Bauer is an Adelaide-based former journalist who works full time as a media adviser. Her previous titles include the picture books Dreaming Soldiers and Australia Remembers: Len Waters.
Tulips for Breakfast is a gripping, impactful and well-researched young adult novel set in Amsterdam during World War II. Jewish main character Adelena (aka Lena), twelve when the story begins in 1940, hides in the home of a family friend when her parents flee the city in the early days of German occupation. The story follows Adelena through to liberation in 1945, as she comes of age during years of isolation, fear, hunger, the ever-present concern for her missing parents and friends… but also the courage and care of those involved in the Dutch resistance, and the discovery of something remarkable in the yard of the home where she is hiding.
The characterisation in this story is nuanced and excellent, with Adelena’s behaviour an authentic portrayal of teenage emotion and, at times, rashness. There is also the interesting inclusion of an alter-ego character and multiple characters who are not what they seem. This careful avoidance of stereotypes or caricatures adds greatly to the story’s depth.
At its heart, this is a powerful tale of friendship, the human spirit and survival against all odds, recommended for readers aged twelve and up with an interest in WWII historical fiction.
It is worth a read of the author’s note at the end to understand Bauer’s inspiration for this book – including the plot element of the German officer’s coat. Of particular note is the fact that the character of Adelena is loosely based on Hannah Goslar, a childhood friend of Anne Frank’s who survived the war and gave Bauer her blessing to ‘keep the story alive’. Hannah died, aged 93, in October 2022, the same month this book was published.
This review was first published on StoryLinks Australia.
Tulips for Breakfast is a gripping, impactful and well-researched young adult novel set in Amsterdam during World War II. Jewish main character Adelena (aka Lena), twelve when the story begins in 1940, hides in the home of a family friend when her parents flee the city in the early days of German occupation. The story follows Adelena through to liberation in 1945, as she comes of age during years of isolation, fear, hunger, the ever-present concern for her missing parents and friends… but also the courage and care of those involved in the Dutch resistance, and the discovery of something remarkable in the yard of the home where she is hiding.
The characterisation in this story is nuanced and excellent, with Adelena’s behaviour an authentic portrayal of teenage emotion and, at times, rashness. There is also the interesting inclusion of an alter-ego character and multiple characters who are not what they seem. This careful avoidance of stereotypes or caricatures adds greatly to the story’s depth.
At its heart, this is a powerful tale of friendship, the human spirit and survival against all odds, recommended for readers aged twelve and up with an interest in WWII historical fiction.
It is worth a read of the author’s note at the end to understand Bauer’s inspiration for this book – including the plot element of the German officer’s coat. Of particular note is the fact that the character of Adelena is loosely based on Hannah Goslar, a childhood friend of Anne Frank’s who survived the war and gave Bauer her blessing to ‘keep the story alive’. Hannah died, aged 93, in October 2022, the same month this book was published.
This review was first published on StoryLinks Australia.
August 10, 2023
A story that will reach deep within your soul. Raw, heartrending, gripping. To comprehend this life in hiding, in fear, in eternal hope – a reality based on real life events. What happened during World War II should never be forgotten. A piece of history that should never be repeated.
Historical fiction novel for young adults, Tulips for Breakfast, is an incredibly moving tale by author and history-enthusiast, Catherine Bauer. She spent many months of thorough research, including personal letters from Holocaust survivor and friend of Anne Frank; the late Hanneli Goslar-Pick (died age 93 in Jerusalem, 2022). Based on the real-life accounts of Hanneli, the main character is teenager Adelena (Lena), with whom we are brought into the emotional journey as she remains for years under the secret protection of music teacher, Ilse Graaf, entrusted by her desperate parents as they all fight for their best chances of survival. Behind the scenes, we know of the overarching horrendous atrocities towards the Jews that occurred across Germany and Europe from the late 1930s. In this story, we are plunged into the accounts of the heartache and isolation of being a Hidden Child; the feeling of abandonment, the fear of discovery, guilt, longing, hunger, illness … But, amongst the adversity, Lena shows us her courage, her need for connection and the outside world, albeit risky, and her clinching hold on feelings of gratitude, hope, and love. It’s such an aching story of loss and hardship, but with powerful flickers of warmth, spirit and loving memories that shine a beacon of light all the way through to the end.
Whilst the darkness of evil saw crimes of injustice, persecution and murder, Bauer ensures that the good and the triumphs of this time are reflected – the friendships, the protection, the loyalties, and the sparing of lives when it seemed unlikely, just like German Officer Hass did for Lena. This book gives readers that assurance that a heart full of love is far greater than one of hate. With prejudices and divisions still prevalent today, a book like this is so important for young adult readers to reflect on the significance of the impact of history, and how these implications still exist today. Tulips for Breakfast is a powerful tool for discussion and for raising awareness for our young people to consider global social and political issues with empathy, understanding, non-biased judgment and a fortitude to work towards change and a world with kindness, peace and humanity.
We can all find a connection or relatability factor with this story. For Catherine Bauer, it is the link to her father’s memories of growing up in a Catholic, non-Nazi supporting household in South-West Germany in WWII. For readers, it may be the effects of our recent isolated lockdowns, or their own discriminatory challenges they are facing. For me, it is the link to my own family history dating back to pre-war Germany. In addition, what I find so affecting about this story, Tulips for Breakfast, is the extent of the harrowing conditions endured in order to survive through The Hunger Winter – with as little as sugar beets and tulip bulbs for replenishment. Adelena’s resilience and determination is utterly remarkable.
Knowledge of the Holocaust should be wide-spread across generations. Hanneli Goslar-Pick’s incredible story is a tribute to all of the survivors, the survivors’ families and descendants of the war. In honour of this amazing soul and to all that have perished, let the memory of the Holocaust forever live on – ‘keep the story alive’.
Achingly stirring. Essential. Highly recommended.
Historical fiction novel for young adults, Tulips for Breakfast, is an incredibly moving tale by author and history-enthusiast, Catherine Bauer. She spent many months of thorough research, including personal letters from Holocaust survivor and friend of Anne Frank; the late Hanneli Goslar-Pick (died age 93 in Jerusalem, 2022). Based on the real-life accounts of Hanneli, the main character is teenager Adelena (Lena), with whom we are brought into the emotional journey as she remains for years under the secret protection of music teacher, Ilse Graaf, entrusted by her desperate parents as they all fight for their best chances of survival. Behind the scenes, we know of the overarching horrendous atrocities towards the Jews that occurred across Germany and Europe from the late 1930s. In this story, we are plunged into the accounts of the heartache and isolation of being a Hidden Child; the feeling of abandonment, the fear of discovery, guilt, longing, hunger, illness … But, amongst the adversity, Lena shows us her courage, her need for connection and the outside world, albeit risky, and her clinching hold on feelings of gratitude, hope, and love. It’s such an aching story of loss and hardship, but with powerful flickers of warmth, spirit and loving memories that shine a beacon of light all the way through to the end.
Whilst the darkness of evil saw crimes of injustice, persecution and murder, Bauer ensures that the good and the triumphs of this time are reflected – the friendships, the protection, the loyalties, and the sparing of lives when it seemed unlikely, just like German Officer Hass did for Lena. This book gives readers that assurance that a heart full of love is far greater than one of hate. With prejudices and divisions still prevalent today, a book like this is so important for young adult readers to reflect on the significance of the impact of history, and how these implications still exist today. Tulips for Breakfast is a powerful tool for discussion and for raising awareness for our young people to consider global social and political issues with empathy, understanding, non-biased judgment and a fortitude to work towards change and a world with kindness, peace and humanity.
We can all find a connection or relatability factor with this story. For Catherine Bauer, it is the link to her father’s memories of growing up in a Catholic, non-Nazi supporting household in South-West Germany in WWII. For readers, it may be the effects of our recent isolated lockdowns, or their own discriminatory challenges they are facing. For me, it is the link to my own family history dating back to pre-war Germany. In addition, what I find so affecting about this story, Tulips for Breakfast, is the extent of the harrowing conditions endured in order to survive through The Hunger Winter – with as little as sugar beets and tulip bulbs for replenishment. Adelena’s resilience and determination is utterly remarkable.
Knowledge of the Holocaust should be wide-spread across generations. Hanneli Goslar-Pick’s incredible story is a tribute to all of the survivors, the survivors’ families and descendants of the war. In honour of this amazing soul and to all that have perished, let the memory of the Holocaust forever live on – ‘keep the story alive’.
Achingly stirring. Essential. Highly recommended.
September 5, 2023
The Dutch resistance to the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands during World War II can be mainly characterized as non-violent. The primary organisers were the Communist Party, churches, and independent groups.So many people were hidden from German authorities in the autumn of 1944 by illegal landlords and caretakers such as Corrie ten Boom and Jan Gies. These activities were tolerated knowingly by some people, including a few individuals among German occupiers and the military.
The Dutch resistance developed relatively slowly, but the February strike of 1941-protesting the deportation of Jews from the Netherlands- greatly stimulated resistance.Dutch counterintelligence, domestic sabotage, and communications networks eventually provided key support to Allied forces, beginning in 1944 and continuing until the Netherlands was fully liberated.Going into hiding, was generally not categorized by the Dutch as resistance because of the passive nature of such an act. Helping these so-called onderduikers (lit. "divers"), people who were prosecuted and therefore hid from the Nazi occupiers, was recognized as an act of resistance, but more or less reluctantly so. Non-compliance with German rules, wishes or commands, or German-condoned Dutch rule was also not considered resistance.Public protests by individuals, political parties, newspapers, or churches were also not considered to be resistance. Publishing illegal papers was also not considered resistance per se. Only active resistance in the form of spying, sabotage, or with arms was what the Dutch considered resistance.Nevertheless, thousands of members of all the 'non-resisting' categories were arrested by the Germans and often subsequently jailed for months, tortured, sent to concentration camps, or killed.Up until the 21st century, the tendency existed in Dutch historical research and publications to not regard passive resistance as 'real' resistance. Slowly, this has started to change, in part due to the emphasis on the RIOD(Rijksinstituut voor oorlogsdocumentatie) or Institute for War, Holocaust and Genocide Studies,
has been putting on individual heroism since 2005.
The Dutch resistance developed relatively slowly, but the February strike of 1941-protesting the deportation of Jews from the Netherlands- greatly stimulated resistance.Dutch counterintelligence, domestic sabotage, and communications networks eventually provided key support to Allied forces, beginning in 1944 and continuing until the Netherlands was fully liberated.Going into hiding, was generally not categorized by the Dutch as resistance because of the passive nature of such an act. Helping these so-called onderduikers (lit. "divers"), people who were prosecuted and therefore hid from the Nazi occupiers, was recognized as an act of resistance, but more or less reluctantly so. Non-compliance with German rules, wishes or commands, or German-condoned Dutch rule was also not considered resistance.Public protests by individuals, political parties, newspapers, or churches were also not considered to be resistance. Publishing illegal papers was also not considered resistance per se. Only active resistance in the form of spying, sabotage, or with arms was what the Dutch considered resistance.Nevertheless, thousands of members of all the 'non-resisting' categories were arrested by the Germans and often subsequently jailed for months, tortured, sent to concentration camps, or killed.Up until the 21st century, the tendency existed in Dutch historical research and publications to not regard passive resistance as 'real' resistance. Slowly, this has started to change, in part due to the emphasis on the RIOD(Rijksinstituut voor oorlogsdocumentatie) or Institute for War, Holocaust and Genocide Studies,
has been putting on individual heroism since 2005.
December 27, 2022
A tragic story of the plight of the victims of Hitler in Amsterdam, from the point of view of a young girl. She is not a very likeable character. It highlights the many people who risked everything to hide and help Jewish people.
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December 28, 2022Magpies review.
April 6, 2023
I read this as the character was the same as my parents during WW2, and also in The Netherlands.
It's more of a teen read with teenage angst, and coming of age...but quite a good read.
It's more of a teen read with teenage angst, and coming of age...but quite a good read.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews