A Childhood Unspoken - Paperback

by Marie Doduck (Author), Lauren Faulkner Rossi (Introduction by)

Mariette is only five years old when the Nazis invade her hometown of Brussels, Belgium, in 1940. Soon her family is torn apart, and Mariette and her siblings are scattered, hiding with non-Jews and in convents and orphanages or working for the resistance. Seeing violence and death all around her, Mariette learns the skills she needs to survive, especially how to stay silent. Mariette emerges from the war quick-thinking and fiercely independent. As she navigates the transition to an identity as Marie, an industrious and resourceful community member in North America, Mariette, the silent child, begins to find her voice.

Back Jacket

I did not cry. I became like a robot, a child of silence. This is how I could survive, by not allowing myself to feel.

Mariette is only five years old when the Nazis invade her hometown of Brussels, Belgium, in 1940. Soon her family is torn apart, and Mariette and her siblings are scattered across the city and countryside, hiding with non-Jews and in convents and orphanages or working for the resistance. Seeing violence and death all around her, Mariette learns the skills she needs to survive -- how to throw a knife, jump from a moving vehicle and, most importantly, stay silent. Mariette emerges from the war quick-thinking, fiercely independent and ready to start a new life in Canada. As she navigates a transition to a new identity as Marie -- an industrious and resourceful community member, mother and advocate for children's rights -- Mariette, the silent child, begins to find her voice.