Shirley J. Graphic Juvenile Novel Child Refuges from Nazi Occupied Austria during WWII Seeking Refuge by Irene N. Watts (Author) and Kathryn E. Shoemaker (Illustrator) 128 pages
Based on actual historical events of Jewish parents sending their children to other willing countries where their children could find safety and shelter from the occupying Nazi forces during World War II through the Kindertransport Program, this graphic novel tells the story of eleven year old, Marianne, whose parents send her from their home in Austria to safety with a willing foster family in England just prior to the beginning of the war. Marianne arrives in December, 1938. She is separated from her only friend from the train and is the last to be placed to a wealthy couple not especially pleased with the child they got. Marianne is so lonely. Her Dad escaped and is in hiding though he does manage to get the odd postcard to her to let her know he loves her and is thinking about her. Her mother is trying very hard to get out of Austria and get a job with a family in England so that she can come and rescue her beloved daughter it is just that circumstances alter the timing of their reunion. Marianne is treated harshly by the sponsor couple, more like a servant than a valued guest in their home. The man never looks her in the eye and if he deems to address her at all it is usually from behind his newspaper or over her head and not at all in any respectful acknowledging way. Then, too, there is the speech barrier. Marianne's English is minimal and translation is hard to understand the varying meanings. Confusion, hurt and sorrow are her companions with tears each night when she longs for her parents to save her. An emotional book that will touch the reader's heart for the sad fate of the children though there is light at the end of the tunnel thank goodness! A dark story for children but a real one. I recommend it to elementary schoolers on up. A sad story but a good one that teaches compassion for others.
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