Monika Schroder grew up in Germany and lived there for the first thirty years of her life. She studied history at the Ruhr University in Bochum and worked in the German parliament before becoming an elementary-school teacher. She has taught in international schools in Egypt, Chile, and Oman and is currently the elementary-school librarian at the American Embassy School in New Delhi, India. This is her first novel.
The action in this important addition to WWII literature will grab readers, and Schroder's story is an excellent, authentic portrait of children in war. --Booklist * While a wealth of children's books set during World War II focus on the Holocaust, Schroder brings some of Germany's other young victims to light in her exceptional debut novel. . . . Resonates with candor and eloquence. (author's note) --Kirkus Reviews, starred review An asset to most collections. . . . A powerful, inspiring read.--School Library Journal[A] well-crafted debut. --Publishers Weekly