The Lily Pond

 

Thor, Annika. (2012). The Lily Pond (Faraway Island Series). Linda Schenck, Translator. Yearling publishing. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0385740401

Synopsis:

A year after Stephie Steiner and her younger sister, Nellie, left Nazi-occupied Vienna, Stephie has finally adapted to life on the rugged Swedish island where she now lives. But more change awaits Stephie: her foster parents have allowed her to enroll in school on the mainland, in Goteberg. Stephie is eager to go. Not only will she be pursuing her studies, she'll be living in a cultured city again—under the same roof as Sven, the son of the lodgers who rented her foster parents' cottage for the summer.
Five years her senior, Sven dazzles Stephie with his charm, his talk of equality, and his anti-Hitler sentiments. Stephie can't help herself—she's falling in love. As she navigates a sea of new emotions, she also grapples with what it means to be beholden to others, with her constant worry about what her parents are enduring back in Vienna, and with the menacing spread of Nazi ideology, even in Sweden. In these troubled times, her true friends, Stephie discovers, are the ones she least expected.

My Review

 The Lily Pond is a well-written historical novel that explores adolescent strife, alienation, antisemitism, and more. You become drawn into Stephie, who portrays any typical teenager yet one who has been through so many major life experiences that most teens wouldn’t go through. You find the regular teen life easily throughout this book from peer pressure, following rules by parents (foster), and falling in love. Even with the themes in this story being at times serious it is very relatable and appropriate for teens to read. During this book, you also get to dive deeper into what it was like for children during WW2 and those who were sent away for safety. The book does a great job showcasing people of this era, and ones who are experiencing a new world, new expectations and more.  It is part two of a 4-part series and I can’t wait to read the entire series.

Awards/Reviews:

A Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Book and an ALA-ALSC Notable Children’s Book

Booklist, December 1, 2011:
"A compelling look at World War II–era Sweden, this distinguished Holocaust story will resonate."

Horn Book, January/February 2012:
"Stephie’s story of adjustment to a new school and of a first crush is both specific and universal"

Connections:

-          Read the entire series.

-          Research and learn more about children who were displaced during WW2.