Pierrot lives in Paris. Family life isn't perfect but he has a dog and has learnt sign language from his good friend Anshel.

Then Pierrot's father dies and, soon afterwards, his mother too and he's sent on a train to Germany to an aunt he's never met who will look after him. 

Beatrix is a kind and thoughtful woman, determined to do her best for Pierrot. She works as a servant in a wealthy household at the top of the mountain. But she needs Pierrot to understand certain things about their life there, not least that he should now be called Pietr and must stop writing to his Jewish friend.

It's 1935, the second world war is approaching and this house is Berghof, the home of Adolf Hitler.

As you'd expect from the author of 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas', this is a powerful story with a challenging message and a poignant outcome. It's said to be for children aged nine upwards, but I'd suggest possibly a little older.

This is an amazing book that will make any reader look at themselves and wonder - how would I behave in those circumstances?