One of the most powerful books in my life is The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. I taught it to my seventh graders for nearly five years, but I can guarantee you I learned more than they did. Corrie lived in Holland during WWII, and her family harbored Jews and others in their home until they were discovered by the Nazis and taken to concentration camps.
In this book is one of the most powerful quotes that I think about often. Corrie’s sister was dying in the concentration camp, and she said to Corrie:
“Corrie, you must tell them. Tell them there is no pit so deep that his love isn’t deeper still. They will believe us, since we have been here.”
If you haven’t read The Hiding Place, no brainer: buy it and read it to your kids. I’d say age eight and up? It is beautifully written, but it is sad, and a touch scary at times. Another book I recommend is Tramp for the Lord, in which Corrie continues the story of The Hiding Place, and shares all the amazing opportunities and adventures she had later in her life.
There’s also a movie which would be great for a family night, but again, I’d make sure your kids aren’t too easily scared, as the themes are more serious.
Corrie is such an inspiration – even though she lived nearly a century ago – even though her life is as different from mine as I can imagine – I still think of her so very often. I highly recommend your family spending some time on her books!
“When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.”
“This is what the past is for! Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.”
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I read “The Hiding Place” in late elementary school, and it had a huge impact on me. As an adult I watched the movie. My kids have watched the Torchlighters dvd about Corrie ten Boom. Her story is powerful.