In a small bowl, thoroughly mix water and baking soda to create the invisible ink. With a small paintbrush or cotton swab, write a note with the solution on a piece of white paper. Allow to dry, typically 15 minutes. In a cup, create the reagent by combining rubbing alcohol and turmeric. (Apron recommended, as the solution can stain.) Atop layered newspapers to prevent discoloration of the surface beneath, paint over the sheet of white paper with the reagent and watch your message boldly and magically appear.

Reading Group Guide

1. Did your impression of the child on the cover change by the novel’s end? What about the title? Describe the various meanings it holds throughout the story.

2. From the Italian Hall Disaster and its parallel tragedy at Bethnal Green Station to the efforts of MI9, Houdini, and the Dutch Resistance, plus those of the Engelandvaarders, The Ways We Hide highlights myriad stunning pieces of history. Which among them fascinated and/or surprised you most?

3. Love, loss, family, and sacrifice are major themes of the novel and the driving force behind many of Fenna’s and Arie’s actions. Did you largely agree or disagree with Fenna’s decisions? What about Arie’s?

4. Several objects throughout the story—including the toy train, buttons, and, most frequently, a ball of string—help forge lasting bonds between characters. Which item was your favorite? Likewise, which possessions in your own life carry deep sentimental value given their link to a person or relationship?

5. Were you familiar with MI9 prior to reading this book? Which gadgets did you enjoy learning about most?

6. From Fenna’s childhood, the stampede on Christmas Eve contributed significantly to shaping her life, even decades later. What childhood experience(s) most altered your own life? Were there resulting obstacles you later learned to overcome?

Images from Fenna’s Journey

Although Fenna Vos is a fictional character, many elements of her story were inspired by actual events, locations, people, and more. These chronological images from her life offer a visual glimpse of the many ups and downs of her journey.

Miners in Calumet and Hecla Mine shaft No. 2 in Calumet, Houghton County, Michigan.

Detroit Publishing Co. Collection, Library of Congress

Inside the Italian Hall the morning after the 1913 Christmas Eve tragedy.

Michigan Tech University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections

Thousands line the road at a funeral procession for victims of the Italian Hall Disaster in Calumet, Michigan.

Michigan Tech University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections

An original pocket-size edition of Houdini’s Big Little Book of Magic.

In 1908, Houdini prepares for his famed Milk Can Escape, which later inspires many escapologists (like Fenna and Charles) to attempt the same.

Photograph by Bill Orcutt, courtesy of HoudiniRevealed.com

On the Wilton Park estate, the mansion dubbed the “White House” served briefly as MI9 headquarters, then continued to host its highly classified work throughout the war.

The George Hotel on Wycombe End in Beaconsfield often boarded military visitors of nearby Wilton Park.