Customer Reviews

The Yellow Star: The Legend of King Christian X of Denmark

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Children's books normally focus on events far removed from real life. While that is fine and appropriate for stimulating imagination, children should also be given a chance to connect to situations closer to reality to stimulate character.

This book does a marvelous job of commenting on the Holocaust from the perspective of some things that a non-Jewish person could have done. As such, it makes a wonderful bridge to understanding how we all must be our brothers' keepers.

The story here is built around the widely reported, but undocumented, history of King Christian X of Denmark during World War II. Here are the basics of the story as described in the book.

The Nazis occupied the country in 1940. The King showed his courage in many ways on behalf of all Danes. He rode down the streets each morning without a guard or any weapons. When the Nazis put their flag on the palace, he ordered it taken down and it came down. The Nazi commander said that he would put another one up. The King said that he would order it taken down, as well. When the Nazi commander then threatened to kill the next person to do this, the King said that the commander should be prepared to kill him because he, the King, would be performing this task.

Then, the order came down that all Jews must wear a yellow star (reflective of the Star of David) on their clothing at all times. The King rode out the next morning wearing a yellow star, and many citizens followed his example.

The story concludes with posing the question about what would happen if everyone stood up against injustice. Very nice!

In the Author's note, Ms. Deedy shares the historically documented facts:

(1) The King did ride unescorted daily in the streets.

(2) There were stories throughout Europe in 1943 that the King had shown support for Danish Jews and had threatened to wear a yellow star.

(3) No Danish Jews were forced to wear the yellow star.

(4) Denmark was the only Nazi-occupied country where the overwhelming majority of Jews survived.

(5) 7,000 Jews were smuggled successfully from Denmark to neighboring Sweden.

(6) Over 500 Jews were deported to Theresienstadt. All but 51 survived, in part because of continuing intervention by the Danish government.

This historical note is helpful for opening the door for a child to learn more about the Holocaust and the important role that non-Jews could play at that time . . . when they stood up to be counted by taking helpful actions. Some people did this openly with defiance while others helped clandestinely.

At a time when some want to argue that the Holocaust never happened, it is important to open bridges back into the lessons of these awful events -- to help prevent their recurrence and to honor the victims and heroes of those days.

The book is also greatly enhanced by the illustrations which remind one of Norman Rockwell's work, except with a Danish feeling. The colors are chosen to emphasize the moral conflict between the Nazis and the Danes, and give an emotional tension to the story that makes it stronger.

To me, whether King Christian X actually wore the star or not is less important than if people draw courage from that story. I know that I have often remembered the story when the time came to make a moral statement publicly. It helped me have the courage to speak and to act. If you are like me, it will help you, too.

Please do share this book with the children you love. You can give them a wonderful gift of understanding how important their voice can be . . . in making a better world for us all. When we all act responsibily towards each other, the world is a better and safer place for each of us.

Openly show your love of and support for all humanity!

This beautifully illustrated book and equally beautiful story will touch everyone who is fortunate to read or hear of it.

The Star of David, the symbol of the Jewish faith took a prominent place in history during the Second World War. King Christian X, an especially beloved monarch had made a commitment to all Danes: he would protect them in every way possible.

During the early part of the war, Nazi soldiers replaced the Danish flag with a Nazi flag. King Christian had the flag replaced with the Danish flag. Nazi officials interrogated the king, who declared that if any Nazi carried out the threat to shoot whoever removed the Nazi flag, then that assassin would be guilty of killing the king because he, King Christian X would remove that Nazi flag himself! Seeing how imprudent challenging this king would be, the Nazi officer declared that all Jewish people in Denmark had to identify themselves by wearing a Star of David emblazoned on their clothing.

King Christian X, after long and hard thought, came up with a solution. He decreed that ALL Danes would wear the Star of David and the Nazis wouldn't be any the wiser as to who was Jewish. He called for unity and solidarity among his Danish subjects.

This is such a moving, heartwarming story of how love and solidarity faced up to evil and cruelty. The author does a magnificent job of drawing the line between fact and legend and concludes by saying how we really need this story. That is so true. We really do need this story.

I really love this book.

This is a beautifully written and illustrated book for younger students. The story focuses on positive lessons of the Holocaust by highlighting attributes such as loyalty and treating people fairly. The author's notes tell what is legend and what is factual about the story of King Christian X of Denmark and his wearing the yellow star.

Though the Yellow Star may appear nothing more than a picture book, it isn't. The Yellow Star is the touching story of the loved King Christian of Denmark. Before the war (World War II), Denmark was made up of all Danes, no race was stereotyped against. But, with the coming of the war and Hitler's anti-semitism, this changes. All jews are required to wear a yellow star on their clothing, to symbolize that they are different from others. Instead of Danes and Danes, Denmark was made up of Danes and Jews. King Christian, more powerful in character than in world influence will not stand for the treachery of his Danes, and requires the Yellow Star to be worn by all Danish citizens. Then, once again, "Denmark was made up of all Danes." Touching to the last word, this book deserves five stars and I highly reccommend it.

This is a wonderful book for teaching not only children but adults about the extraordinary events which took place in Denmark during WWII. So few people are aware of the compassion and the tolerance the Danish people showed to the Jewish community. This should be a must read for every class that studies the Holocaust. The children need to be taught that there were people who stood up the the grave injustices which were being committed.

The cover says its a Legend so those whom complain it is not fact are ignoring the fact. Legends play an important part of the psyche of a nation. This is of coarse fiction but all legends have a bit of truth and it is true that the Danes lost a smaller percentage of Jews than most countries in WW2. A great conversation book! I am enjoying it with my Gr 5-8 class.

"The Yellow Star: The Legend of King Christian X of Denmark" is a remarkable story of a horrendous time. Yet. Yet as a children's book, it has raised a bit of controversy. You see, the author tells us in the endnotes that the story is unauthenticated--perhaps not true. A legend, as the title denotes.

In a sentence: The beloved king of Denmark wore a yellow star on his clothes to encourage other Danes to do the same and so ALL Danes would wear the star. The problem is Jews were not required to wear the star in Denmark, nor did the king wear a star. So, why the book?

The following excerpt is taken from Wikopedia and perhaps begins to explain the purpose of the book:

"A modern folklorist's professional definition of legend was proposed by Timothy R. Tangherlini in 1990:[2]

Legend, typically, is a short (mono-) episodic, traditional, highly ecotypified[3] historicized narrative performed in a conversational mode, reflecting on a psychological level a symbolic representation of folk belief and collective experiences and serving as a reaffirmation of commonly held values of the group to whose tradition it belongs."

Although a bit obtuse, this definition perfectly explains "The Yellow Star" and why it can be fairly called a legend, but not a bit of history. Before I break down the definition for application to the story, let's look at the rest of the story.

"Early in the year 1940, in the country of Denmark, there were only Danes" (all white people). Then the writer begins to differentiate by occupations, sizes, even the Great Dane dog. And, yes, clearly a Jew. Now a Muslim. But one thing all Danes have in common is their love for their king (Christian X). Why, he rode through the town without escort because his safety was assured.

Then the Nazis came and put up their flag. Christian sent a soldier to take it down. They told him they would shoot the next soldier. The king said he would be the next soldier. No more Nazi flag. Then leaflets fell on the city, proclaiming that all Jews were to wear a yellow star immediately and AT ALL TIMES! How would Christian prevent this? He concocted the plan to wear the star himself and assume his people would understand his motive and also wear it. They did. And Danes became one people again!

Does Tangherlini's definition fit here? Let's break it down:
1. Short episode: Yes, lasting a few days at most (in the book)
2. Traditional: Any story promoting their king is traditional.
3. Highly ecotypified: Means happening in a specific locale but not another (The Danish universal love of king is perhaps not universal.
4. Historicized narrative: Indeed, elements of history wend their way throughout the story: love of king, his assured safety, stubborn attitude toward Nazis, time of Nazism
5. Conversational mode: Very much so in a children's book.
6. "Reflecting on a psychological level a symbolic representation of folk belief and collective experiences"--again, in reference to love of king
7. "A reaffirmation of commonly held values of the group to whose tradition it belongs"--It is here where the truth of the story affirms itself. The author's note tells us that "Among the Nazi-occupied countries, only Denmark rescued the overwhelming majority of its Jews." In fact, over 7000 Danish Jews were smuggled to Sweden in fishing boats and of the almost 500 Jews departed to a concentration camp, all but 51 survived because of Denmark's intervention on their behalf.

It is also true that King Christian did announce that he would wear the star if it were ever required. It wasn't, not in Denmark. I propose that wearing the star in the story is simply metaphor for the underground efforts by the Danish for their fellow countrymen. In fact, testing their mettle and courage in such defiant ways is ever so much more profound than openly wearing a yellow star in support of their brethren.

A simple explanation goes a long way for children. They would thrive, I think, on such a story. This quote from Carmen Agra Deedy, the author, is definitive: "The allegory of the yellow star used by the Nazis to divide and shame became in this legend a symbol of unity and hope."

we thought the book the yellow star was a very good book. Also it showed us to respect others just the way they are. The book also tought us to just act like a person of respect. the book also is a good book for anyone to read.it was good

I bought a copy of this book for our church library, because during these difficult war torn times it is important for children to understand that previous children had to face difficult times also. The illustrations are lovely and meaningful to the story of THE YELLOW STAR. The text is simple and descriptive of Denmark. The book has won numerous awards. It is destined to become a likely classic on human rights.

This book evokes a tragic time in history, but also inspires the youthful reader with its story of courage in the face of a dangerous time. The pictures are very good, and the words, though relatively few, tell this story in a very powerful manner that is not intimidating. I'm glad I gave it as a gift.