Wow! Fabulous book! It was a page-turner. I never wanted to put it down and was always eager to resume reading. I loved the writing style. I loved the true story. It is one of the better coming of age stories I’ve read. It covers Lisa Jura from age 14 (with some of her memories of earlier years) to age 21, with some follow up at the end about her future.

I appreciated that the main author’s note was at the beginning and not at the end of the book which is the most common place for it. I was glad to have the information she provided prior to reading the book. I was grateful to have information given at the end too, to learn the fates of certain people.

I wanted to and wish I had made a point to listen to the musical pieces mentioned that Lisa played. I wanted to hear the music around the time I read about it! I would have but it was too hard to put down the book long enough to search for a playable piece of music online, either in full or even short portions.

This book sat on my to read shelf for over a decade before I finally read it. I’m so glad that I finally read it.

This is a wonderful daughter-mother tribute, and for more than one generation in this family.

I can’t recommend this book highly enough. I especially recommend it for people interested in coming of age stories, the Holocaust, England during WWII, the Kindertransport, and especially pianists, and other musicians and music appreciators, and anyone looking for a great friendship story, and an inspirational true story. I loved it. ( )

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A beautiful story, which proves that, with the right determination, one can overcome all the obstacles life can throw at you. I am humbled! ( )

I listened to this book and really enjoyed the added music and sound affects that were added. Even though some of the parts were conjecture, it still was an excellent read and very believable. One of the best books on the Holocaust that I've read in a while. ( )

Lisa Jura’s dream of becoming a concert pianist seemed to be out of reach when Hitler’s forces occupied Vienna. Because she was Jewish, 14-year-old Lisa was no longer permitted to take lessons. Lisa’s parents were able to place her on the Kindertransport to England. Lisa eventually ended up in a group home on Willesden Lane in Northwest London. Here she found a support group among the other Jewish teens who lived in the home, the home’s guardian, Mrs. Cohen, and the neighbors. With the encouragement of her friends, Lisa found a way to fulfill her dream of studying piano performance. The book is filled with suspense as Lisa awaits news of the family she left behind in Vienna and as she prepares for an audition that could change her life.

The author, Lisa’s daughter, supplemented her mother’s memories of this time with additional research. An author’s note explains that a couple of the characters are amalgamations of several individuals. While this isn’t uncommon in memoirs, it’s a practice I dislike as it makes it difficult for researchers to separate fact from fiction. This would otherwise have been a 5-star read for me. ( )