I think this story was a good depiction of the time period. I loved how Annemarie's showed her love for her friend by doing whatever she had to do to keep Ellen safe. I think that this is a great story for the younger generations to show that being proud of your country and fighting for what is right will prevail even if it is scary. I admire the risk that Lowry takes in her books to show that the world isn't always a happy place but that the unknown doesn't always have to be scary.