Needed to take a day to collect my thoughts on this one. Its conclusion is so emotionally complicated. While I understand it, I’m conflicted in accepting it. Having a story of the aftermath of WWII, something that doesn’t seem to be focused on too often, was a sobering reminder. Tragedy didn’t end in 1945. But Zofia’s journey was… odd. ( )

A historical mystery with an unreliable narrator, this post-war page-turner is set primarily in a displaced persons camp. It tells the story of Zofia, desperately searching for her little brother Abek...and the possibility of a life after trauma. (Sydney Taylor Young Adult Honor Book) ( )

A haunting story of a young woman, a survivor of the Holocaust searching for her brother. Of trying to forge a path forward after a horrific time period. ( )

What happens when you’re liberated from a concentration camp and you know that the only person that could have survived is your little brother? You know roughly which camp he went to but where is he now? This book by Monica Hesse explores what Zofia Lederman does to find her missing brother, including going across Germany by herself to reunite with her brother. Desperation, hope, and never giving up are all central themes in this book. This book made my ache and want Zofia to find her brother. In the end, Zofia does what she needs to. I’d highly recommend this book! ( )

i sort of feel like i've read my share of world war two historical novels and have generally avoided them for a while, but somehow ended up reading this one. it's - as far as i can remember - the first one that starts the action after the camps were liberated. there are some flashbacks to the roundups and the transports and the conditions in the concentration camps, but this is largely about dealing with what comes after, which is where most books end and never even allude to. i really appreciated this, and that there are obviously many mental health issues that come up for survivors. (i'm not sure how well that was handled, though. or, maybe what i mean is that it was there, but i wanted even more of that, for some people, or i wanted zophia to have more understanding for what everyone was going through, because she was, too.)

still. this was very well written, a compelling story, and a new perspective on a time that is written about often. ( )