• Age: 9 to 12
• Grade: 4 to 7
• Reading age: 9 to 12

In the winter of 1944-45 when Holland was under Nazi rule, life for the Dutch people was extremely harsh and the future bleak. Everyone was cold and hungry. Thousands of people, especially Jews who had managed to escape transport to the death camps, were in hiding. Resistance workers bravely tried to sabotage the Germans as they fought to free Holland. But some went to extraordinary lengths -- they harbored in their homes people who faced certain death.

Told through the eyes of a fictional child, this is the otherwise true story of the Braal family who, despite putting themselves and those they loved in great danger, saved many, many lives. Frans Braal, a resistance worker, and his wife, Mies, first took in an injured Canadian airman. He was just the beginning. The Braals moved to a larger place in the country, where they would be less visible, and took in anyone in need of help -- Jews, children, resistance fighters and people who were starving. The Braal family has made photographs and keepsakes from the time available for use in the book. An epilogue, historical notes and glossary are included.

Ann Alma was born and raised in the Netherlands and was a teacher for many years. Her novel Summer of Changes won a Silver Birch Regional Award. Her latest book of non-fiction, Kids Who Grow Their Own Food, has been well received by teachers and librarians.

She now spends her time writing at her home in the Kootenay mountains of British Columbia.

Ann Alma's profile page

• Long-listed, OLA Golden Oak Award
• Commended, OLA Silver Birch Award
• Commended, OLA Silver Birch Award
• Short-listed, Chocolate Lily Award - Chapter Book

The bravery of the Braals is more than apparent in the hiding of so many under such difficult circumstances, but it is played out movingly in the dailyness of life at Her Buitenhuis, in the provisions of meals almost from thin air, and the comfort and courage from a seemingly bottomless well.

Globe and Mail

The history is thrilling...the chores, hunger, and hardship; the terrifying raids; the heroic sacrifice...What will excite kids are the facts, fully explained...and the many archival black-and-white photos...

Booklist

...an engaging and informative story that inspires without being saccharine or preachy. Including such resources as an epilogue, historical notes, and a glossary means that the book will be a useful educational source as well. Brave Deeds makes a fine contribution to Holocaust and Second World War literature for children.

Quill & Quire

...genuinely moving...librarians might recommend this to sensitive teens interested in the Holocaust.

VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates)

The author, [Ann Alma], is a friend of the Braals...and her information comes directly from the survivors...Alma's tribute to an ordinary family who took extraordinary risks is commendable, and the numerous photographs from the family's archives are very helpful.

School Library Journal

...a great introduction for younger readers to the courage and principles of the Braals and others like them who saved a great many lives.

Jewish Book World

A vibrant, mischievous face beams out of Ann Alma's Brave Deeds...Alma brings this heroic domesticity to life in a way that's both informative and engaging.

Toronto Star

...large in ideas and important...Brave Deeds is an informative resource...A tribute to people of courage, and a challenge to those whow onder if they would ever have such courage. Highly Recommended.

CM Magazine

Brave Deeds: How One Family Saved Many from the Nazis

reviewed from advance copy

The 11-year-old female narrator of Brave Deeds: How One Family Saved Many from the Nazis has no formal job in occupied Holland. But a long rotating list of vital chores helps her and others survive in hiding. The story is based on a twisted game of hide and seek that took place in the winter of 1944-1945 on the Dutch island of Voorne. The hidden were 13 children and 13 adults, including a Canadian airman. The seekers were the Nazis. The guardians were a wonderful young couple, ‘Tante’ and ‘Oom’ Braal. Tante fed and concealed people, declaring, “the Nazis can only shoot us once.” The kind Braals also nurtured the children, organizing plays, sports activities and a visit from Sinterklaas. Some of these glowing kindnesses are captured in the extraordinary photos made available from the Braal family archives. Although the Braals’ story is true, author Ann Alma opted for a fictional nameless narrator to represent all children whose lives were touched by war. As with the other young narrators in these five books, her life is a mixture of hope and fear. “War is like fog,” she describes, “Everything is dull, grey and secret.” But elsewhere she more brightly takes her cue from nature, and realizes “Flowers are tough.” This must be so, for at the back of the book where one finds a map, glossary, historical note, and suggestions for further reading, there is an epilogue which reveals that the Braals died in Canada after living long lives.

Average 12-year-old Canadians could scarcely picture themselves rising at dawn to labour for a full day alongside adults. The authors of these books are exceptional writers who ably bring readers into the point-of-view of yesteryear’s young adults: work was what one did. But, no matter what the doom barometer might read on any particular day, one might also encounter wonder and joy.

As a historian, I am often mystified at how history can be minimized in schools today. Young readers may be reassured, however, to learn how the real and imaginary protagonists coped with seemingly impossible situations and difficult day-to-day lives. Reading books such as these could enrich readers’ lives and provide them with both comfort and excitement.