Book Of The Month
To commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day, (27 January) our recommended title is:
When the World was Ours by Liz Kessler, ISBN 9781471196812
A powerful and heart-breaking novel about three childhood friends living during the Second World War whose fates are closely intertwined, even when their lives take very different courses. Longlisted for the UKLA Book Award 2022 ages 11-14.
An extraordinary and important book, based on the true story of how Liz Kessler’s father escaped from Nazi-occupied Europe thanks to a British couple his family had met once. But what elevates this book about three friends, and their different fates in World War Two, is the story of Max, the nice, ordinary boy who gradually becomes seduced into hatred and prejudice.
Vienna, 1936. Elsa, Leo and Max have always been best friends, a special team of three. Then the Nazis come. As a growing darkness descends around them, Leo and Elsa run for their lives, taking two very different paths across Europe. And Max, once their closest friend, now becomes the enemy as he is drawn into the Hitler Youth. Will the friends ever find their way back to each other? Will they want to?
When the World Was Ours shows how the bonds of love, family and friendship allow glimmers of hope to flourish, even in the most hopeless of times. Three friends. Two sides. One memory.
This book is a life affirming read for all ages.