For a child grappling with fears or adversity, this true story of a young musician's resilience during WWII offers a powerful testament to the human spirit.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is facing a big challenge, feeling lonely, or needs an inspiring story about resilience. This is the true story of Lisa Jura, a 14-year-old Jewish piano prodigy in Vienna who is sent to London on the Kindertransport to escape the Nazis. Alone and separated from her family, she holds onto her music as a lifeline and a promise to her mother. The book gently introduces the realities of World War II while focusing on Lisa's incredible perseverance, the kindness of strangers, and the community she builds with other refugee children. It's a powerful and ultimately hopeful biography for readers 9-13, showing how passion and hope can help one survive even the darkest of times.
Descriptions of air raids and bombings during the Blitz in London.
Racism & DiscriminationModerate
Depicts the antisemitism in Nazi-occupied Austria that forces the family to flee.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with the Holocaust, family separation, war (the Blitz), and antisemitism. The perspective is that of a refugee, focusing on loss and survival rather than the graphic details of concentration camps. The fate of Lisa's family is revealed near the end and is handled with profound sadness but also with a focus on honoring their memory. The resolution is hopeful in terms of Lisa's personal success and survival, but it does not shy away from the immense grief of her loss. It's a secular story centered on Jewish cultural identity.
Ideal Reader
A thoughtful 10-13 year old who is ready for a more personal introduction to the Holocaust. It's perfect for a child who connects deeply with music or any art form, or a child experiencing loneliness or the challenge of fitting into a new environment. It also resonates with readers who appreciate true stories of determination against all odds.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared to discuss the historical context of the Kindertransport and the Holocaust. A preview of Chapter 15, which deals with the news of her parents' fate, is recommended. This will prepare the parent to support their child through the story's most heartbreaking moment and discuss grief and memory. A parent has seen their child struggling with a large, seemingly insurmountable goal, or expressing feelings of isolation. The child might be asking questions about history, injustice, or how people get through terrible situations. The trigger is a need for a story that models hope and perseverance without offering easy answers.
Age Experience
A younger reader (9-10) will likely focus on Lisa's personal journey: her loneliness, the friendships she makes, and her musical dream. An older reader (11-13) will better grasp the immense historical weight, the constant threat of the war, and the themes of art as a form of cultural survival and resistance against oppression.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many Holocaust narratives that focus on hiding or concentration camps, this story highlights the specific experience of a Kindertransport refugee in England. Its primary differentiator is the central role of music, not just as a talent, but as a psychological anchor, a connection to family, and the driving force for survival. The fact that it is a true story written by the protagonist's daughter lends it a powerful authenticity.
Read plot summary
This biography follows 14-year-old Lisa Jura, a talented Jewish pianist from Vienna, who escapes Nazi persecution via the Kindertransport in 1938. Arriving in London, she lives in a hostel for refugee children on Willesden Lane. The story details her struggle to adapt to a new country, her fear for the family she left behind, and her unwavering determination to fulfill her promise to her mother to become a concert pianist. Amidst the terror of the Blitz and the hardship of factory work, Lisa finds community, kindness, and strength in her music, eventually earning a spot at the Royal Academy of Music.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Lisa's mother tells her, "Hold on to your music. It will be your best friend." In what specific ways did music act as a friend to Lisa during her time in London?
2
Lisa made a very difficult decision to give the second travel ticket to her friend's sister instead of her own. Why do you think she did this? What would you have considered if you were in her position?
3
The hostel at 243 Willesden Lane was a community of strangers. How did characters like Gina, Gunter, and Aaron help each other survive and create a new kind of family?
4
Lisa worked in a factory and had to practice on a piano that was in poor condition in the basement. What moments in the book best show her dedication and what do you think kept her from giving up?
5
The story ends with Lisa's success but also with great sadness. How can someone feel both proud and heartbroken at the same time? How does Lisa carry her family's memory forward?
