218B: Church Sexton Saves Jewish Boy

In grade four, possibly grade five, I found a fascinating book in the school library–which means that it was probably published in the early 1950s. I loved this particular book and have been trying to find it for many years. If this isn’t a stumper, I don’t know what would be.

I don’t remember the title or the author or even the names of characters. All I remember is that the story takes place in Norway during World War II and that the protagonist’s father is the village church’s sexton. (That word, “sexton,” was a new one for me.) I think that this boy saves a Jewish boy from the Nazi invaders (and can’t imagine why else the library of a Jewish school would have a book about Christians in its library).
This book has some illustrations. I remember black-and-white ones.

1 thought on “218B: Church Sexton Saves Jewish Boy

  1. Ann

    Just a guess: could this be Marie McSwigan: Snow Treasure? It was published in 1942, and is about a Norwegian community where the children help to outwit the Nazis, and in particular to smuggle gold away from them and to a ship destined for America. I don’t specifically remember a sexton, but it’s a long time since I’ve read the book,
    .

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.