Overview

How do you respond when your country is conquered by enemies? When loving your neighbor could lead to prison or death, what do you do? Can you still believe God is good when all you see is darkness? On May 10th, 1940, Germany invades the Netherlands. And so begins five years of enemy occupation. Rules, rations, and curfews are implemented. Jews are discriminated against, banned from public places, forced to wear a yellow star, and then hauled off to concentration camps. All twenty-year-old Pieter Knies wants is to continue studying theology at Utrecht University and one day become a pastor. But as time passes and the persecution of the Jews increases, it becomes harder for him to ignore the Nazis. He becomes convinced that Christ's command to ""love your neighbor"" includes the Jews. Gerrit Vogel, a cheerful, young farmer who hates injustice, is engaged to Pieter's sister Marit. From the moment the Nazis first set foot in his country, he knows he cannot simply stand by and do nothing. Marit agrees, but what can they do? David Meijer is a veterinary student at Utrecht University. But soon, he's no longer allowed at the university-because he is Jewish. And things only get worse. When his family is arrested, David goes to Gerrit for help, and now Gerrit and Marit know what they can do. Elsje DeLong's life is turned upside down on her eighteenth birthday when a neighbor comes to her with a request: Will you take a Jewish baby and claim her as your own? Soon Pieter, Gerrit, Marit, David, and Elsje find themselves heavily involved in the Resistance. But helping the Jews and standing against the Nazis carries a cost-and for some, it will cost everything. Trains and Tulips is extensively researched historical fiction with a plot built around the real historical facts of the war. While focusing on fictional characters, it is largely inspired by the true stories of World War II heroes such as Corrie ten Boom, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Hans Poley, Diet Eman, and Johanna Ruth Dobschiner.

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Reviews

""A fictional mosaic, wonderfully bringing into one great picture many of the different historical events which took place during the Dutch resistance in World War II... It is an easy read yet will have you deeply pondering what you might do in the face of the difficult circumstances the characters find themselves in. The chapters are laced with real historical moments as well as inspirational quotes from the Bible and many of the great authors who lived through the World War II era, such as: Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Corrie ten Boom, C. S. Lewis, and more. Hope in God and shining His light, are resounding themes and makes this story shine. For a wholesome historical fiction, I highly recommend Trains and Tulips."" -Jessica Marinos, author of the Trimont Trilogy ""An extremely well-researched novel with deep themes and a cast of delightful characters. In this stirring tale, Savannah Jane McCrary allows the reader to experience both the tragedies and the triumphs of life in the Netherlands during WWII. She tackles difficult topics sensitively, creating an educational story that the whole family can enjoy!"" -Amy Ullrich, author of the Heroes of Wessex series and founder of Christian Wordsmiths ""Trains and Tulips reads as a story that's not meant to just be a novel--instead, the historical depth combines with an epic, truth-filled story that reveals the account of WWII through the eyes of followers of Jesus. It will delight both history-lovers and those who want to enjoy an adventurous story of courage...It's a call for the Christian to stand up, declare truth, and love God and others radically. The novel displays that God is good, period, and invites readers to see His goodness in a deep, rich way, especially in the midst of darkness and trial..."" --Hosanna Emily, author of The Torch Keepers and The Way of the King ""This is such a good book; so full of research, cool historical tidbits, lots of action, and solid spiritual messages... I really love Savannah's heart in this book; she does honor to the heroes of the Resistance and pleads for the value of human life. Oh, and did I mention encouragement SO much light even in the worst places! ...I both grinned and teared up while reading. Multiple times. I had to ask myself, how would I respond if I were in these characters' situation? What would I have done? And honestly, I don't know, because I've never faced anything like what they did. But I do know this: the same good God who guided them, gave them light in their darkness, and upheld them in distress, would be with me as well, because He never changes."" -Phoebe Hinkle, author of We Gave Our Tomorrows

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