In a companion book to last year’s Isabel’s War, this story is told from the perspective of German Lilli. Lila Perl draws a picture of the life of a young half-Jewish girl, uprooted from a comfortable German home, sent on a Kindertransport to what turns out to be a rough experience in England, and then on to an uncertain and shaky start but an ultimately better future in the United States.
This is a coming-of-age story and a self-identity discovery tale set against the backdrop of Nazi Germany, World War II England and New York. Lilli’s journey through real danger and the perils of growing up will provide a gripping reading experience and her journey back to Europe to search for her family at the end of the war is poignant and an all-too-familiar post-war story. Her eventual reunification with her sister is nuanced, as well. It is neither unrealistically sweet and touching, nor is it heartbreakingly sad; it falls into a real-life gray area hard to encapsulate, as many true stories do, as well.
Written shortly before this noted author’s death, and able to be read independently of the companion book mentioned above, this book is recommended for ages 12 – 16.
Michal Hoschander Malen is the editor of Jewish Book Council’s young adult and children’s book reviews. A former librarian, she has lectured on topics relating to literacy, run book clubs, and loves to read aloud to her grandchildren.
