L.B. has graciously offered to give away a copy of this book. You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends June 29, 2018. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you and pass on your information.)
The story behind the story...
L.B. Schulman first had the idea for Stolen Secrets two decades ago. She was driving in the car, listening to NPR, when she heard a Holocaust survivor give an interview. The woman sounded old and weak. L.B. began to think about the fact that, soon, there wouldn't be any more Holocaust survivors alive. How would that change the world? At first, she thought small: If students lost those firsthand teaching moments, they wouldn't care about history as much. But then her thoughts expanded: What if the voice of Holocaust Revisionists grew stronger once there weren't any more witnesses alive to defend the truth?
From there, she read an article about how the Revisionists insisted that Anne Frank didn't even write her own diary. Fortunately, handwriting experts put that conspiracy theory to rest. This led L. B. to create a contemporary story about a girl who discovers she thought was dead with a Holocaust mystery involving her family. What if Livvy's grandmother was hiding a huge secret, one that would affect everyone in the world?
As L.B. started her research, she ran across Anne Frank's given birth name in a train registry. Anneliesse Frank. L.B. was a few months pregnant with her first child, and as soon as she saw that name, chills rolled up her arms. She knew that would be the name of her child. Annalise just turned 21. And in case you're wondering, Lisa's daughter was one of the most influential editors on this novel.
Blurb...
When Livvy's mother abruptly moves the family across the country to San Francisco, sixteen-year-old Livvy is shocked to find that she's been lied to. Instead of working for a bakery, her mom is actually taking care of Adelle, Livvy's grandmother who she thought was long dead. Suffering from Alzheimer's, Adelle begins to shout strange things, mistake her own name, and relieve moments that may have taken place in a concentration camp. When Livvy and her new friend, Franklin D., find journal entries from the Holocaust in Adelle's home, Livvy begins to suspect that her grandmother may have a shocking link to a notable figure -- Anne Frank.
My review...
I love books pertaining to World War II, so I was more than
happy to read this book. It is one of my favorite reads for 2018 so far (though
it was released in 2017)!
Livvy is a strong, authentic teenage character. The mystery is
engaging in this page-turner. The story may spark the reader’s interest in
learning more about Anne Frank, the Holocaust, etc., which would certainly be a
good thing, as it is something that shouldn’t be forgotten. I love how Anne is
woven into this story, and the twists show up just when you think you have Oma’s
story figured out. Schulman has crafted an engaging, multi-layered coming-of-age
story that is hard to put down. It has just the right blend of mystery/history,
with a little bit of teenage drama thrown in for good measure. Serious topics
(alcoholism, Holocaust, Alzheimer’s, and family dysfunction) are addressed
tactfully. Her book will stick with me well past the final page.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.
About the author...
L.B. Schulman has written two young adult novels. Stolen Secrets, a Sydney Taylor Notable Book, came out this past fall. Her debut novel, now available on e-reader, is League of Strays, which delves into issues of bullying, revenge, and consequences of being a follower. When she's not writing, L.B. is a genealogy hobbyist, digging deep to recreate her family history and find famous ancestors. She lives with her husband, two daughters, and a pair of lovable rescue mutts.
Where you can find her online...
Title: The Linen God
