‘As the daughter of adult Holocaust refugees, I was immediately drawn to this story of a young British teenager in the 1950s who comes home one day to her widowed mother, only to find another ‘mother’, an elegant and volatile German Jew, has arrived…’ Read More »
‘Absolutely loved reading this! Getting to know Lena through the story has been such an insight into some of the struggles and joys of the Jewish people through history. This was a bit I knew nothing about. I was hooked after the first chapter!!’ Read More »
‘I loved this book, as it deals with so many great topics, like Kindertransport, attachment issues, teenage angst, just loads’ Read More »
‘Absolutely loved this story, and the ending I wanted too! History, faith, love, adventure and travel- this book has it all with vivid descriptions to make you feel like you are there too’ Read More »
‘The children were all supposed to return to their families when it was over, but this would prove impossible, for millions of Jews had perished in the Holocaust’ Read More »
‘A brilliantly written story of identity and history.A truly gripping and compelling read.’ Read More »
‘it is simple enough to offer a good story to younger readers, while at the same time touching on darker times and deeper issues. Lena’s story of a search for identity and personal meaning has a wide appeal’ Read More »
‘fast-paced and quickly engages you in wanting to find out what happens next. Cole shows the emotional and physical journey Marlene (Lena) undertakes as she grapples with issues of trust, faith, self and sense of place’ Read More »
‘I really enjoyed this book. The descriptive passages brought scenes and credible characters to life very quickly’ Read More »
Chapter One
ENGLAND, MAY 1950
Mum looked odd, kind of pasty, as she opened the front door. I slung my heavy, half-term satchel with my dirty sports kit in it onto the hall floor. I hung my panama hat and blazer on the coat stand as usual, but instead of heading for the kitchen with promises of supper, Mum tugged at the hem of my skirt, fiddled with my tie and plaits and looked me up and down. Read More »
