The Greatest Skating Race by Louise Borden
Bibliography:
Borden, L. The Greatest Skating Race. Margaret K. McElderry Books. (2004).
Summary:
In the winter of 1941, Piet Janssen, a young Dutch boy, is wrapped up in the Netherlands' first love: skating. His father a skate-maker himself, Piet dreams of skating like his hero, Pim Mulier, who skated in the first ever Elfstedentocht, a race that takes place between eleven towns, only when the canals in Northern Netherlands freeze and connect all of them. Piet's dreams become a near reality when the war begins to hit close to home.
When a family's father is taken by German soldiers, the children must find their way across the Belgian border to stay with their aunt in safety. Because of German occupation, adults can see no way to escape without suspicion. Their only option is to send Piet and the two children to the canals, to skate unheeded across the Belgian border into safety.
Based on the actual race completed by Pim Mulier, as well as the Netherlands' rich history in skating, The Greatest Skating Race is an inspirational and uplifting story of selflessness and sacrifice for the sake of another's freedom.
Thoughts:
I love this book. Written simply yet eloquently, The Greatest Skating Race provides a unique and endearing look at even the youngest players in World War II, and how all were willing to risk something (freedom, even their lives) for the safety of a friend. Starting the story with a childlike look at Piet, Borden draws the reader in and creates an emotional connection with not only Piet, a young boy with big dreams, but also with the Netherlands in general, and its people's unwillingness to give up their way of life in spite of German occupation. Immediately I found myself wanting to defend the peaceful people of this country, and was even a bit envious of their ability to still find the good among the bad happening around them.
Borden's connection between this famous race that is the climax of Piet's dreams with the necessity of escape to safety is seamless, and the reader sees how Piet's dream of racing equips him with the ability and determination to perform an otherwise dangerous and impossible task. The reader fears for their safety, but is assured by Piet's encouragement and calm. Beautiful illustrations paint a peaceful picture of the Netherlands' striking beauty and hint at its deep heritage as a people.
Reviews:
"This slice of historical fiction celebrates the bravery and resourcefulness of children. In the winter of 1941, 10-year-old Piet, a strong skater, is enlisted to lead two young neighbors from Holland to safety over the ice to relatives in Belgium after their father is arrested for sending messages to allied forces. The three children leave their home in Sluis and bravely skate 16 kilometers on the canals to Brugge. They outwit and hide from German soldiers and make it to their destination in one long, difficult day. Told with immediacy and suspense from Piet's point of view, the engaging narrative is arranged in columns, which is an ideal structure to relate the action in short sentences.... The gorgeously detailed watercolor illustrations capture a sense of the time. The subdued, winter hues of brown and smoky gray are those often found in the oil paintings of Dutch and Flemish masters and match the quiet tone of the text. The book's format maximizes the drama and expanse of the landscape." - School Library Journal
"In this exciting World War II picture book for older children, a boy in the Netherlands helps two children escape to Belgium, where they will be safe from German soldiers. Piet, 10, is inspired by his country's great skating champion, and he has always dreamed of taking part in the famous national race. Now, however, he must race with Johanna and her little brother, Joop, along the frozen canals, past German guards, and over the border to safety. Piet's long, lucid, first-person narrative appears in short dramatic lines... and Daly's sepia-tone illustrations stay true to the boy's viewpoint, both in the few tense, full-page close-ups (as when the children confront the border guards) and in the spacious views of kids speeding through the white landscape. The focus on the historic skating race is sometimes confusing, but the war is always in the background, and the physical reality of the thrilling rescue will hold skating fans." - Booklist
Ideas for Use:
This story is a great introduction to a literary unit on World War II for elementary students. After reading this book, talk with the students about other ways they think children could help in a war effort. Brainstorm together, and explain that these are not just ideas; children did help in the the war effort in World War II, from working on the home front to carrying out dangerous tasks to slip past unsuspecting soldiers. As a part of this unit, read books such as Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, and Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan, and have students research child involvement in World War II.
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