Review: Squirrel is Alive!

Mary Rostad is horrified by what the Nazis are doing in her beloved Belgium. She begins with small acts of resistance, then commits to joining the larger resistance movement. As a teenager, she leaves her family without telling them and begins walking across western Europe. Along the way, she meets interesting people and delivers messages. 

Mary tells her story in a clear voice that looks back on her life. The reader can almost see the shake of Mary’s head as she describes the risks she took as a young girl. She also reflects on the pain it must have caused her family to not know what happened to their daughter for two years during World War II. 

“Squirrel is Alive” came about because of a community of people who encouraged Mary to tell her story. Susan Heissel helped Mary write the story and they got through a first draft before Mary passed away. Heissel finished the revisions on Mary’s behalf. Darryle Cloet, who worked closely with Mary for many years wrote an afterword about the impact Mary’s story had and continues to have on others.

This book would be great for teens who are interested in acts of resistance during the Holocaust. 

Thanks to NetGalley and Independent Publishing Group for an advanced review copy in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are my own.