November 11, 2024
In May 1915, following a long stay with American relatives, Marta, 12, and her father are traveling home on the Lusitania, bearing false identity papers to hide their German citizenship. When the ship is bombed by a German submarine just after Marta’s father’s nationality is uncovered by another passenger, they jump overboard together. Father and daughter survive but are separated, and quick-witted Marta must make her way alone. Relying on her talent for adopting different accents, she poses as American, then English, then Dutch as she journeys from the Irish fishing boat that rescues her to the English city of York, where she is taken in by the Irish O’Sullivans. Wavering between disbelief that “her people had bombed the Lusitania,” hatred for the “greedy” English and Irish, and guilt and confusion about her deepening friendship with the family’s daughter Clare and the heartfelt care they all provide, Marta grapples with her subterfuge. As she demonstrates consistent bravery through unusually challenging experiences, Marta’s naive viewpoint expands to encompass a unity of humankind. The well-paced story offers a look into WWI history from the seldom-told perspective of a child whose native country is often depicted as the enemy. Ages 8–12. Agent: Tracey Adams, Adams Literary.
Starred review from December 1, 2024
Gr 4-7-Blankman's newest historical fiction work takes readers directly into the conflict between England and Germany in March 1915. Marta and her father are trying to return home to Germany from the United States when their ship, the Lusitania, is attacked by German forces. With this tragic and infamous historical event as the backdrop, Blankman thrusts readers into Marta's quest to return to her mother and brother in Germany after her father is captured by English authorities. On her journey she is discovered and befriended by an Irish girl, Clare, and all that she believed she knew about Germany's enemies is brought into question. In this thrilling tale of escape and intrigue, Marta and Clara learn lessons about discrimination, the cruelties of war, and the potential dangers of patriotism in an occasionally heavy-handed, but nonetheless powerful, manner. This would be a strong addition to history curricula about WWI and The Lusitania, or to any teachings on discrimination or on how far knowing people as individuals goes toward eradicating stereotypes. VERDICT A riveting and welcome addition to the middle grade historical fiction market; recommended for all elementary and middle school library collections.-Kate Olson
Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
December 15, 2024
"To become friends with your supposed enemy during wartime was a kind of miracle." On board theLusitania in 1915, 12-year-old Marta's father is arrested for being German--just before a German torpedo sinks the ship. Trying to find Papa, traumatized Marta makes her way to York, England, where Germans are being interned. There, she encounters Irish-born Clare O'Sullivan, claims to be Dutch, and ends up living with the poor but generous O'Sullivans. Throughout, Marta struggles to reconcile many contradictory thoughts and experiences: her disparaging beliefs about the English and Irish, the anti-German hatred she encounters, the many kindnesses she receives, and the fact that her beloved homeland's navy attacked a civilian ship. Above all, how can Marta and German-hating Clare ever be best friends when Marta feels unable to share the truth about her story? And will Marta ever get home again? Superlative worldbuilding characterizes this World War I story, from heart-pounding descriptions of theLusitania's sinking to Marta's observant explorations in York and evocative memories of Germany and her family. The main characters are distinctive and layered, all holding the prejudices and kindnesses that drive the story. While the writing clearly shows the incidents that created Marta's inner turmoil, it can be occasionally heavy-handed in spelling out those feelings, rather than trusting readers to draw their own conclusions. Nevertheless, readers will root for the girls' friendship. Themes of prejudice, friendship, kindness, truth, and wartime inhumanity thread this heartfelt story. (author's note)(Historical fiction. 9-12)
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February 1, 2025
Grades 4-7 In 1915, as Europe is at war, German citizens Marta, 12, and her father have been stuck in the U.S. They board the RMS Lusitania with fake identities to begin their voyage home when a German torpedo sinks the ship. After being rescued, Marta's father is arrested for being German. Alone in England, Marta assumes a Dutch identity, relying on her acting skills as she searches for a way home. Marta finds refuge but is discovered by an Irish girl her age, Clare, whose family takes her in. Clare helps Marta secure a position at the chocolate factory where she works. As Marta witnesses anti-German sentiment and develops her own animosity toward the British, she observes the prejudice Clare and her family experience for being Irish. Secrets weigh heavily on Marta as her friendship with Clare blooms. Blankman is skilled in creating immersive settings, from the sinking of a ship to the storied walls of York, and her historical tale will resonate readers of today.
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