The Children’s Train

Literature & Fiction

synopsis

Synopsis

In November 1938 on The Night of the Broken Glass, the Jewish people of Germany are terrified as Hitler's men shatter their store windows, steal and destroy their belongings, and arrest many Jewish fathers and brothers. Parents fear for their own lives but their focus is on protecting their children. When England arranges to take the children out of Germany by train, the Kindertransport is organized and parents scramble to get places on the trains for their young family members, worried about what the future will hold. Soon, trains filled with Jewish children escaping the Nazis chug over the border into Holland, where they are ferried across the English Channel to England and to freedom. But for Peter, the shy violin player, his sister Becca, and his friends Stephen and Hans, life in England holds challenges as well. Peter’s friend Eva, who did not get a seat on the Kindertransport, is left to the evil plans of Hitler. Peter, working his musician’s hands raw at a farm in Coventry, wonders if they should have stayed and fought back instead of escaping. When the Coventry farm is bombed and Nazis have reached England, Peter feels he has nothing left. He decides it’s time to stand and fight Hitler. Peter returns to Germany to join the Jewish underground resistance, search for the mother and sister he left behind in Berlin, and rescue his childhood friend Eva.

bio

Author Biography

As Jana tells it, the remarkable story of the Kindertransport children in Nazi Germany touched her heart and would not let go: “Since the moment I heard their incredible, historic tale, they have not left my mind. The Kindertransport children came to live in my conscience and would not leave until I told their story.” Jana hopes readers will find the courage to stand up to the injustices that affect us all. Jana Zinser is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire School of Law and received her masters in Journalism from the University of Iowa. Her past work in politics, public policy, and the media, coupled with her determined focus on children and social justice, have uniquely placed her to tell this story. It’s a story as timeless and essential as ever, a story that will capture the hearts of the world. Jana lives in Colorado with her children.

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Author Insight

Spunky Little Spitfire

1939-Nazi Germany. Children had to grow up fast. Peter had to take responsibility for his little sister on the Kindertransport and at 12, Peter knew he couldn't even take care of himself.

Book Excerpt

The Children’s Train

The Kindertransport started up again and traveled on through Holland. The children laughed and talked. When weariness overtook them, the train grew quiet, and the constant rhythm of the wheels on the track rocked the little ones to sleep at last.

Stephen and Hans stared out the dark windows. Stephen turned back in his seat to look at William over Peter’s seat.

“Eva should be here,” Stephen whispered.

“William doesn’t deserve to take her place,” Hans said.

Becca shifted in the seat next to him. “I hate William. He’s not a good brother. A good brother helps you out.” She rested her head on Peter’s shoulder. “I love Eva. Peter does, too.”

The spunky little spitfire didn’t see her brother’s glare, because she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, knowing that the responsibility to keep her safe was now Peter’s.

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Jana Zinser

The Children’s Train

Synopsis

Author Biography

Author Insight

Spunky Little Spitfire

1939-Nazi Germany. Children had to grow up fast. Peter had to take responsibility for his little sister on the Kindertransport and at 12, Peter knew he couldn't even take care of himself.

Book Excerpt

The Children’s Train

Comment on this Bubble