[This is a story of] youth in crises during a time of war and the subsequent journey they take to find themselves, their faith, and their destiny.
- Gerald R. Molen, Producer of Schindler’s List.~~~
Set in WWII Germany, this gripping novel reveals the stealthy but unethical strategy by which two teenagers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints, along with their Jewish and German friends and families, survive privation and Nazi terror. The story continues [to be]fascinating as they adjust to American occupation and sustain their friendships through maturity and into adulthood and finally resolve their long-held secret guilt.
- J. Carlyle Parker, author of Going to Salt Lake City to do Family History Research, a pre-teen lad during WWII, with three older brothers serving in the US Navy.
~~~
[Thompson] has a knack for creating characters that catch the reader within the first paragraph. The flow of the story line is engaging. The concept of Mormonism during the time of war, with an emphasis on Jews, is brilliant […] Excellent Storytelling.
-Terry Terry, Hollywood casting director.
~~~
Thompson paints a vivid picture of war from war-torn Germany and one family's struggle to survive while still holding true to their convictions.
-Diana Bahtishi, author of the humor book The Trouble with Women and the feature-length screenplay The Artist.
~~~
W.L. Ridgwell “Fugleman”
Livermore, CA USA
Mystery, Youth, and Hope in WWII, May 21, 2009.
The characters are so fully drawn in the story that I want to meet them and ask my own questions about their lives. It brings to life what it was to be young and caught in a war. I have always read about the war from our side, perhaps not understanding that all Germans were not Nazis. The twists in the story held me and I kept reading.
All of the background research about WWII was completely accurate and made the story live. Those who will enjoy the book are: those interested in the history of the times, those interested in German, Jewish, or Mormon heritage, and young adults as it is a coming of age story. In fact high school history teachers would find it a good book to teach WWII to their students.
Amazon.com
Chapeldove
Modesto, CA USA
Favorable, Uplifting, Informative June 5, 2009
"Right from the first page, this engaging story draws the reader in to the personal lives of each of it's characters. The characters come alive and are interesting. Once you are aware that it is loosely based on a true story it adds more life and color to the main character, who is a small boy caught in a war that is frightening and confusing to him. The book delves into his young life and his feelings about the circumstances he and his family find themselves in and the hardships they face. It is very evident that the author did her homework since many authentic words and places and events are used to make this book rich and wonderful and very enlightening about the horrors of war on a personal level."
Borders.com
