Waiting for Anya facts for kids
First edition
|
|
| Author | Michael Morpurgo |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Historical novel |
| Publisher | William Heinemann Ltd. |
|
Publication date
|
1990 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 178 |
| ISBN | 0-434-95205-2 |
Waiting for Anya is an exciting children's novel written by Michael Morpurgo. It was first published in Great Britain in 1990. The story takes place in a small village called Lescun in the mountains of southern France. This area is very close to the border with Spain. The book was even nominated for a special award called the Carnegie Medal. Later, in 2020, it was made into a movie with the same name.
Main Characters
- Jo - He is the main character of the story. Jo is a young shepherd boy, about 12 years old, who lives in the mountains.
- Benjamin - A kind Jewish man. He helps other Jewish people secretly cross the border into Spain to find safety. Benjamin is looking for his daughter, Anya, who he hopes will join him in Lescun.
- Widow Horcada - She is Benjamin's mother-in-law. She seems a bit grumpy and keeps to herself, but she has a very strong sense of what is right.
- Grandpere - This is Jo's grandfather. He also helps with the secret plan to get children to safety.
- Hubert - A friendly boy who is good friends with Jo. He has a disability but is very helpful.
- Papa - Jo's father. For most of the story, he is a prisoner of war (POW) in a German prison. He also helps Jo with the secret plan.
- Rouf - Jo's loyal and fluffy white dog. Rouf is very cute and always by Jo's side.
- Michael - He is the leader of a group of Polish Jewish children. Michael is very small for his age, but he is around 15, just like Jo. He plays chess with Jo.
Story Summary
The novel Waiting for Anya is set during World War Two in the quiet French village of Lescun.
Jo Lalande is a young shepherd boy who loves his childhood. But when his father goes off to fight in the war, Jo has to step up and become the man of the house. One day, after a surprising encounter with a bear, Jo meets a mysterious man in the forest. He follows the man home and discovers a big secret.
The man's name is Benjamin, and he is Jewish. He is waiting for his daughter, Anya, to find him, as they were separated. Benjamin is secretly helping Jewish children escape to safety by guiding them across the border into Spain. He gets help from his mother-in-law, the Widow Horcada. Jo starts to help them, wanting to show that he can be trusted with such an important task.
Soon, German soldiers move into the town, making everything much harder and more dangerous. Most of the villagers try to get along with the German soldiers. However, getting the Jewish children across the border becomes a very risky mission. Jo, his grandfather Henri, Benjamin, and the Widow Horcada come up with a clever plan to help the children escape.
Their plan needs everyone in the town to help the children get away without the German soldiers noticing. If they are caught, the consequences would be terrible. After a lot of bravery and teamwork, most of the children are safely taken across into Spain. Sadly, Benjamin and a girl named Léah are left behind. The bear that Benjamin had saved earlier accidentally leads the Germans to them. The German soldiers find Benjamin and Léah and take them away. Their fate is unknown.
Soon after, the war finally ends. Jo's grandfather marries Madame. One day, a telegram arrives from Anya, who has managed to find her way home.
Film Adaptation
