Best Book Publishers UK | Austin Macauley Publishers
The Why Question-bookcover

By: James Beard

The Why Question

Pages: 136 Ratings: 4.7
Book Format: Choose an option

*Available directly from our distributors, click the Available On tab below

What if you were growing up in a war, with a best friend who has fled from the enemy for safety? To whom do you talk? And whom can you trust? And then in a zoo you discover a secret that you must never tell anyone. Imagine yourself in that same Dutch city, famous for its mouse and windmills, with your everyday life of bicycles, schools, visits, friends and parents.

And then disaster strikes. The boots arrive. Who is on whose side? Who is brave and who not? And even if you make a little sense of it all, you are no longer a child, and growing up fast, and the very biggest question of all is coming your way… why?

James Beard has spent most of his working life in education; teaching and lecturing at every level, after early experience in market research. He took up writing in retirement to escape boredom’ and has submitted two plays in competition, one apiece of musical theatre. He focuses on historical fiction, embracing his own, or family experience and interests. Travel, gardening and community activities are his focus when not on grand parenting’ duties.



Customer Reviews
4.7
7 reviews
7 reviews
  • Michaela Morgan

    I read some of this book in proof form and was impressed by its very powerful themes. Older children will love this book.
    It will expand their horizons and engage their empathy by introducing them to a very different life and situation.
    There is so much to mull over and discuss.

  • Kaye Umansky

    An extremely well-researched book set during the run-up to World War Two, seen through the eyes of two children, one Dutch and one Jewish. Both accounts are written in the first person. It charts how a safe, comfortable life can suddenly change into something very different. Plenty to think about and discuss.

  • Freya

    This book was brilliant, it was a beautiful display of what it was like to be in the war at that time. It also showed what a hard time the Jews had had, and the ending was something I would have never expected I need a second book right now. An amazing book Congratulations to James Beard for writing this masterpiece.

  • Elinor auschenker

    As someone who has always had an interest in WW2, I felt this book portrays the innocence of a child in that time perfectly. It was an amazing read and I hope there is a sequel ♥️♥️♥️

  • zanne

    A thoughtful, intuitive narrative, never mawkish,
    but encompassing the feelings of young people in a bewildering period of conflict.
    The meeting of the two girls is sensitive and honest and they’re developing a friendship, warm in the extreme.
    This book would make an ideal subject for both a book club subject or for a young person interested in developing relationships and solving complex issues.

  • Myrese Salentijn

    This book is a wonderful story of two girls in wartime in Amsterdam. They take you into their fantasy world but also in the disasters of the 2e WO - I can recommend it for history teachers for young adults, as they want to discuss the why question and the reason people chose in times of war - what would you do ?? Go in the resistance- do nothing - be a hero?

    Het boek van deze twee meisjes neemt je mee in hun fantasie wereld maar ook in de gruwelijke oorlogstijd in Amsterdam van de 2e Wereldoorlog. Ik kan het aanbevelen om te lezen in geschiedenislessen . Ga de discussie aan welke rol zou jij hebben - ga je in het verzet - doe je niets - of wordt je een held?

  • Myrese Scholte-Salentijn

    This book is a wonderful story of two girls in wartime in Amsterdam. They take you into their fantasy world but also in the disasters of the 2e WO - I can recommend it for history teachers for young adults if they want to discuss the why question and the reason in what way “ people chose in times of war” - what would you do ?? Go in the resistance- do nothing - or be a Hero?

    Dit boek is een fantastisch verhaal van twee jonge meisjes in het Amsterdam van de tweede Wereldoorlog. Ze nemen je mee in hun fantasiewereld maar ook in de verschrikkingen van de oorlog. Ik kan het van harte aanbevelen voor geschiedenis docenten. De discussie over het “waarom van de oorlog” en welke rol je zelf zou kiezen Ga je in het verzet - doe je niets - of wordt je een held?

Write a Review
Your post will be reviewed and published soon. Multiple reviews on one book from the same IP address will be deleted.

We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience and for marketing purposes.
By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies