Ten Boom, Corrie, John Sherrill, and Elizabeth Sherrill. (1996). The Hiding Place. Washington Depot, Conn.: Chosen Books 228 pp.

Grade Range: 6-12

Genre: nonfiction

Summary and Critique

Corrie Ten Boom was a Christian woman content with her life in quiet spinsterhood, at home with her father and older sister in Holland. Once Holland surrendered to the German army under Hitler, she suddenly finds herself in the middle of a vast web of underground resistance, working to hide Jews and others sought by the Nazis. Eventually caught and sent to a concentration camp, Corrie and her sister never lose their faith and never stop working to ensure other's happiness.

A touching and moving account of one brave woman's struggle to stand up for her beliefs in a trying time, The Hiding Place can teach students much more than just Holocaust lore. Corrie's staunch refusal to quit helping others, even when faced with punishment herself, can teach anyone a lesson about courage and morals. Other reviewers praise this autobiography for its humanity, courage, and demonstration of faith in the face of adversity.

Themes/Topics

The Individual vs. Society

Race, ethnicity, and culture

Challenges and triumphs

Families

Generations

The Holocaust

War and Peace

Friends and Enemies

Author Information

Corrie Ten Boom was born in Holland, April 5, 1892 and was the first licensed woman watchmaker in Holland. She and her family were arrested in 1944. Thereafter, Corrie and her sister Betsie were sent to various prisons and concentration camps. Betsie died shortly before Corrie's release, but Corrie returned to Holland. After the war, Corrie traveled widely, telling her inspirational tale. She died in 1983 at the age of 91.

For more information about Corrie Ten Boom:

http://www.heroesofhistory.com/page59.html Heroes of History Web site: Biography of Corrie Ten Boom, detailing her early life as well as her Holocaust years. Also includes details of other historical heroes spanning the past 500 years, such as Martin Luther and Florence Nightingale.

http://www.corrietenboom.com Beje Museum Web site: Pictures of the Beje, biographical information on Corrie Ten Boom, historical facts about the house, and information on when the museum is open.

Media Connections

Movies

Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) The story of 1920's Alabama, racial hatred, and those who choose to stand up for friends, regardless of the consequences.

The Green Mile (1999) A prison guard encounters a death row inmate with an unusual gift. It is a story of imprisonment and faith, finding happiness even through adversity.

Cast Away (2000) One man's struggle to stay sane when faced with overwhelming adversity, trapped alone on a deserted island that becomes his prison.

Willow (1988) A fantasy adventure about Willow, a man from a fictional race of dwarves, who finds a human baby girl and must face incredible odds to protect and save her from an evil queen.

Ice Age (2002) An animated tale of prehistoric animals who risk their own lives to save a human baby.

Tuck Everlasting (2002) Based on the young adult novel by Natalie Babbitt, Tuck Everlasting is the story of a teenage girl who befriends an immortal family and has to make a life changing decision as a result.

Music

"Mother." Lyrics by Roger Waters. The Wall. 1979. Song describing distrust of a government that wants too much control.

Television

Gilmore Girls (WB) The trials and tribulations of a mother and daughter.

The Simpsons (FOX) Popular animated series about the dysfunction and fun of the Simpsons family.

Online Resources

http://www.hmh.org Houston Holocaust Museum Web site. General information on the museum, its hours, history, programs, and exhibitions.

http://www.pbs.org PBS Website. Public television site. Contains many teaching resources and historical data relating to many historical periods including the Holocaust and WWII period.

http://www.historychannel.com The History Channel Web site. Official site of cable television's The History Channel. Contains historical background and information on the Holocaust.

http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/0-9/1940house/ The 1940's House. Site chronicling the life of a modern-day family that agrees to live in a house equipped only with 1940's, WWII era technology. An excellent illustration of what life was like for families in World War II-era Britain.

http://www.ellisisland.org American Family Immigration History Center. Visitors to this site can research genealogy, study immigration, or create a family history scrapb4teens_book.

Related Texts

Franco, Betsy. (2001). Things I Have to Tell You: Poems and Writings by Teenage Girls. Cambridge: Candlewick Press. 63pp. A collection of poetry and writings by teenage girls.

Gallo, Donald R. (1997). No Easy Answers: Short Stories About Teenagers Making Tough Choices. New York: Delacorte. 323pp. A collection of short stories regarding Teens and the tough choices they must sometimes make.

King, Martin Luther Jr. (1998). The Autobiography of Martin Luther King. Ed. Clayborne Carson. New York : Intellectual Properties Management in association with Warner Books. 400pp. The life story of the famous civil rights leader, another example of a person who stood by his morals and stood up for others despite possible consequences.

Soto, Gary. (2003). Cesar Chavez: A Hero for Everyone. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks. The story of Chavez's struggles to unite mostly Mexican-American farm workers to stand up for their rights.

Ten Boom, Corrie. (1984). Not I, But Christ. Nashville: T. Nelson. 184pp. Corrie Ten Boom's inspirational devotionals relating to her deep Christian faith. Students can imagine Corrie using these devotionals during her concentration camp years.

Ten Boom, Corrie. (1976). In My Father's House: The Years Before"The Hiding Place." Boston: G.K. Hall. 298pp. Focuses on Corrie's early years and what she learned in her loving family that spurred her to stand up for her beliefs during World War II.

Teaching Ideas

(1) "Letters to Corrie Ten Boom." After reading the novel, students write letters to Corrie, or any other character from the novel with which they identify, expressing their feelings. These letters can express sympathy, curiosity, or any other feelings inspired by the novel.

[Summarized/adapted from "Letters to Anne Frank" by Cynthia Hallen in Classroom Notes Plus. Urbana, IL: National Council of the Teachers of English. March, 1992.]

(2) "Heroes and Heroines." Students will explore who their heroes/heroines are and why. Some tasks may include interviewing"heroes/heroines," writing letters to heroes/heroines, journal writing about heroism and what it entails, finding newspaper or magazine stories about someone considered a hero/heroine today, etc.

[Summarized/adapted from "Responding to Heroes and Heroines" by Eleanor Gaunder in Classroom Notes Plus. Urbana, IL: National Council of the Teachers of English. April 1991.]

(3) "Meet My New Friend!" Students write letters home as if they were bringing a new friend (a character from the novel) to visit. They must explain why they like this person (e.g., good qualities) and also try to dismiss any bad characteristics. Students should remember to include basic information such as physical appearance, as well as more involved information such as what they say and how they act.

[Summarized/adapted from "What a Character!" by Marilen Wegner in Classroom Notes Plus. Urbana, IL: National Council of the Teachers of English. March 1992.]

(Written by Laura Luker and Jennifer E. Moore and edited by Jennifer E. Moore)