Friday, June 22, 2018

Friday Reads: "Stolen Secrets" by L.B. Schulman ... and a GIVEAWAY!






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...


a Rafflecopter giveaway

14 comments:

  1. I actually haven’t read any books about WWII so this one would be my first. I was drawn to it when I saw that Anne Frank was mentioned. She’s one of my favorite historical figures.

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    1. Shamekka, you are in for a treat! I do hope this sparks your interest in the genre. It's one of my faves, and there are a number of great books out there (including this one)!

      Good luck, and thanks for stopping by my blog.

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  2. Hi Leslie! I've read Kate Breslin's Not by Sight which I think was WWII and there are several others on my TBR list. This book sounds fascinating! Count me in on the giveaway! =)

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    1. Hi, Cynthia! Thanks for stopping by. I think that book by Kate may be WWI, but I could be thinking of another book. There are a number of great WWII-era books, and I have a number on my TBR list, as well :)

      Good luck!

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  3. I love WWII novels. This one sounds unique. Thanks for the review.

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    1. So do I, Paula :) This one is definitely unique. And the addition of Anne Frank makes it even more enjoyable, in my opinion.

      You're very welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for visiting my blog, and good luck!

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  4. I love time slip novels and have enjoyed many WWII era books. This sounds fascinating!!

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    1. I think you'll really enjoy this one, Erin. Thanks for stopping by. Good luck!

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  5. I believe I've read a few WW books, just not sure if 1 or 2. This books sounds soooo intriguing! Another book for my TBR list if I don't win this one! :-)

    Thank you Leslie!

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    1. You're very welcome. I'm happy to help grow your list :)

      If you ever want some other recommendations on WWII books to add to your list, let me know.

      Good luck!

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  6. Yes. WW2 is one of my favorite era's to read about.

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  7. I love timeslip stories. I'll be honest. I hadn't read too many WWII books, but then I read The Book Thief with my 8th grade. That story reminded me of the power of literature to keep history alive.

    This story also reminds me of a trip we took to the Jewish Heritage Museum. At the time, they had an exhibit called New Dimensions in Testimony. Hundreds of hours of interviews were recorded with survivors. Their images were projected on screens and the children were able to ask questions which were then (through the magic of technology) responded to as if they were live. It was sort of like a hologram, but not quite. Very cool and the children learned so much.

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    1. Cate,

      I love them, as well. Oh, "The Book Thief" is a wonderful book. I'm glad you were able to read that with your class.

      That exhibit sounds very powerful. What a way to make history come alive. Thanks for sharing.

      Good luck, and thanks for visiting my blog.

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