Describe the harsh environment the girls were living in?

Lowry also introduces the historical context of the novel in this opening chapter. She explains the German invasion of Denmark and how it has affected the lives of children like Annemarie. Even though children kept going to school and followed a relatively normal routine, the occupation disrupted their lives in many other ways. Because of food shortages, they could not indulge in simple pleasures like cupcakes and trips to the seashore. More importantly, Jewish children like Ellen had to live in constant fear that German soldiers would capture their families and send them away to concentration camps.