As World War Two rages on, the Germans make their way into Przemsyl and begin displacing the Jewish communities. Even though his family adores Stefania they both know that their religions differing will interfere with their love. Secretly Izio, one of Mr and Mrs Diamant’s sons has a formal agreement to be married to Stefania.

Despite the fact that the Diamant’s are Jewish and Stefania is Catholic they have welcomed her into their family with open arms. She has grown close to her employers and thinks of them as her chosen family. It’s 1943, Stefania is sixteen years old and working in a grocery store owned by the Diamant family in Przemsyl, Poland. Sharon Cameron’s historical fiction young adult novel “The Light in Hidden Places” details the story of Stefania Podgorska who is one of those people who most certainly has “it”. The question that is asked throughout this ad is “why do some people have it, and others don’t”. It shows teenagers, young adults and various groups of people standing up to bullies, lending a helping hand and going above and beyond for their fellow humans. With two Nazis below, thirteen hidden Jews above, and a little sister by her side, Stefania has one more excruciating choice to make.There is a commercial that runs here in New York for the United Staes Navy. When the knock finally comes, it is two Nazi officers, requisitioning Stefania's house for the German army. Then they must wait, every day, for the next knock at the door, the one that will mean death. Stefania and Helena make the extraordinary decision to hide Max, and eventually twelve more Jews. Izio's brother Max has jumped from the train headed to a death camp.

The Diamants are forced into the ghetto, and Stefania is alone in an occupied city, the only one left to care for Helena, her six-year-old sister. She has even made a promise to one of their sons, Izio - a betrothal they must keep secret since she is Catholic and the Diamants are Jewish.īut everything changes when the German army invades Przemysl. It is 1943, and for four years, sixteen-year-old Stefania has been working for the Diamant family in their grocery store in Przemysl, Poland, singing her way into their lives and hearts. One knock at the door, and Stefania has a choice to make.

The extraordinary story of Stefania Podgórska, a Polish teenager who chose bravery and humanity by hiding thirteen Jews in her attic during WWII, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Sharon Cameron - now a Reese's Book Club YA Pick!

The light in hidden places