50 Children: The Rescue Mission of Mr. & Mrs. Kraus by Steven Pressman 940.53 Pew

  

"What people don't understand is that in the beginning you could get out.  Everyone could get out.  But nobody would let us in."  -Henny Wenkart

In 1939 Henny got in because two ordinary people named Gilbert and Eleanor Kraus were brave enough to travel to Nazi Germany even though they were Jewish.
 
"We can delay and effectively stop.....the number of immigrants into the United States." 
-Breckinridge Long, Assistant Secretary of State

Henny got in because these two people jumped through many, many hoops to satisfy both the American and the Germany government. 

"If you leave, your life will be saved, and then I will have a better chance of saving my own life."
- Rosa Weisz

Henny got in because parents were incredibly strong.  The scared and anxious parents stood on the platform and watched their children leave on the train.  They tried to give comfort and encouragement with their eyes. 

"Jews are not permitted to give the Nazi salute.  If the parents raise their arms to wave, they will be arrested."
-Hedy Neufeld

Henny and 49 other children arrived in the United States.  Imagine having to pick which 50 when there were so many desperate parents.  Their story might never have been told except for the journal that Eleanor had written.  Steven Pressman was able to find out that in 2013 there were 19 of the children who were still living.  Eighteen had died and he was not able to find out about the other 13.  Maybe with the publication of this book more stories can be completed.

A powerful story.  I wish my country had done more when there was a chance to save many, many more lives.
  (There is also an HBO documentary about this story). 

Midnight Sun by Lisa Jackson FIC Jac

This one won't win any literature prizes, I guarantee. It's a pretty formulaic story of "star-crossed lovers," and there's not much more to it than that. Ashley and Trevor fall in love. Their fathers, once business partners, own competing lumber companies. Ashley's father convinces his daughter that Trevor is just using her, so she ends the relationship. Eight years later, Ashley's father has died and left her the family business. Reenter Trevor, who is now running in a primary for an open Senate seat, and who wants to clear the air about a few issues between the families. And that's about it, folks. No subplots, characters strictly divided into good guys and bad guys, a few steamy love scenes and a predictable ending. Midnight Sun (where the title comes from I have no idea) makes for an okay, easy beach read. Or check it out to read as you recover from knee replacement surgery! No heavy mental lifting required.                                                                                                                                          (2014)

                                                                                             

Note: After writing these comments, I checked  online for other information about this book and author. It seems Midnight Sun was originally published in 1985 as a Silhouette romance novel (see cover at left). Subsequent books by Jackson have gotten better reviews. Apparently she's developed as a writer, so her publisher thinks they can slip this one past the public (at the outrageous price of $28.95) based on the author's current level of skill.

Tricky, tricky.

(1985)

Thursdays in the Park by Hilary Boyd FIC Boy

Jeanie didn't understand why her husband had suddenly decided to begin sleeping in the spare bedroom. She had always thought he would confide in her and come back to their bed. Now, ten years later, and with her 60th birthday just around the corner, Jeanie is beginning to feel confused and stifled by her controlling husband. George, retired by a few years, looks at Jeanie's milestone birthday as the catalyst for dramatic change in their lives. He decides they should purchase a country home, sell his family home in a London neighborhood, and that Jeanie should sell her health food store and retire, now that she's old. Despite Jeanie's protestations that she doesn't want the country life, is not ready to relinquish her business, and doesn't want to be so far away from their only child and grandchild, George goes ahead with his plans.
Jeanie, meanwhile, sticks to the course, gives notice to the tenant in the apartment above the store so she will have a place to stay when she does come to work at the store, and continues her Thursday afternoon outings to a favorite park with her 2-year-old granddaughter -- where they meet Dylan and his very attractive grandfather, Ray. Oh, there are issues with the son-in-law,  the daughter seems to be in cahoots with George on all of his decisions, and yes, Jeanie finally finds out why George abandoned his marital duties. But the meat of the story is Jeanie coming to grips with the reality of her life and the disconnect between what she has and what she really wants (or needs). Pick this up for an enjoyable read.

The People in the Photo by Hélène Gestern FIC Ger

Another debut novel that was a winner in my opinion.  I don't believe I have ever finished a book that was composed exclusively of letters between the characters.  For some reason I just don't like that setup.  However, I was instantly hooked on this one and it read beautifully.  I can often pick a good book by its cover!

It begins with Hélène Hiver receiving a letter in response to an advertisement she had placed in several newspapers.  It was an old picture of her mother with two men.  It was taken at an amateur tennis tournament.  Her mother was identified as was one of the two men.  Hélène wants to track down this man in an attempt to find out about her mother who died when Hélène was just three.  Her father and adoptive mother would never speak about her.  Her father is gone and her adoptive mother is in a care facility and no longer recognizes Hélène.  The letter she receives is from the son of that man (who is now deceased).  Together they begin a correspondence which will lead them down a path to explain the behavior of their parents.  It is a quick read - and I read it even quicker than usual because I wanted to know what they found out!

Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey FIC Hea

This is Ms. Healey's first novel.  She looks very young in her picture so I am looking forward to years and years of books by her!

Elizabeth is Maud's friend.  They have been friends forever and with their advancing years there aren't many friends left.  Maud cannot figure out what has happened to her friend.  She looks in Elizabeth's windows but can see no signs of her.  Maud tries to keep track of what is going on with notes that she carefully writes - but often she can't remember exactly what they mean.  Maud is suffering from Alzheimer's.  She is still living in her own home with the help of her daughter Helen and some caregivers who come regularly.  She tells everyone that Elizabeth is missing (including numerous trips to the police!) but no one will take her seriously.  The story of Maud's attempts to find Elizabeth is interspersed with memories of her sister who disappeared as a young woman.  I loved the way the two stories were told.  The way Ms. Healey told the story from the point of view of Maud and her failing memory was so believable and heartbreaking.  You will also feel great sympathy for Helen and her attempts to reason with her mother and keep her in her own home as long as possible.