Fourteen-year-old Michiel is the son of the mayor of a Nazi-occupied village, and is ashamed of his father’s friendships with the hated occupiers. On the other hand, he admires his uncle, who is a supporter of the Resistance. Michiel becomes involved in the struggle himself when he tries to help a British pilot who was shot down and is hiding in a nearby forest. Winter in Wartime (Oorlogswinter) takes some unexpected turns, as Michiel learns bitter lessons in what he hoped would be an exciting and meaningful adventure.