MrsK Books: The Girl From the Train by Irma Joubert

Sunday, October 11, 2015

The Girl From the Train by Irma Joubert

Irma Joubert

ISBN: 9780529102379

Publisher's Synopsis:

Six-year-old Gretl Schmidt is on a train bound for Aushwitz. Jakób Kowalski is planting a bomb on the tracks.

As World War II draws to a close, Jakób fights with the Polish resistance against the crushing forces of Germany and Russia. They intend to destroy a German troop transport, but Gretl’s unscheduled train reaches the bomb first.
Gretl is the only survivor. Though spared from the concentration camp, the orphaned German Jew finds herself lost in a country hostile to her people. When Jakób discovers her, guilt and fatherly compassion prompt him to take her in. For three years, the young man and little girl form a bond over the secrets they must hide from his Catholic family.
But she can’t stay with him forever. Jakób sends Gretl to South Africa, where German war orphans are promised bright futures with adoptive Protestant families—so long as Gretl’s Jewish roots, Catholic education, and connections to communist Poland are never discovered.
Separated by continents, politics, religion, language, and years, Jakób and Gretl will likely never see each other again. But the events they have both survived and their belief that the human spirit can triumph over the ravages of war have formed a bond of love that no circumstances can overcome.

"Let go!"

She held on for dear life. The metal edge bit into her fingers.

Her frantic feet searched for a foothold in the air.

The dragon swayed dangerously from side to side."

MrsK's Review:
Gretl's journey begins in Southern Poland in 1944. Gretl and her sister Elza have been dropped off of a train in the midst of a war. With the touch of coldness shivering within, these girls must find a way to an uncle in Switzerland. For Gretl, the journey will not be easy or safe. All she knows is that she is tired, her sister is sick, and...

"The branches and leaves closed in around her, almost like Sleeping Beauty's castle.

Maybe she could sleep for a hundred years as well."

Found by a farmer, Gretl and Elza are taken to his home. Alone and afraid, Gretl discovers that her journey will now be decided by a young man who is trying to save his country.

"The coded message said the troop train will pass here just before daybreak...

We must plant the bombs under the bridge before then."

Jakob's journey begins at the bridge. What he discovers will lead him beyond his family, his country, and his loyalties. Once Jakob gets to the farm, he is forced into an additional assignment. "A cold hand closed around his heart...," Gretl will be his young charge. How will he ever get her to Switzerland?

As their days together began forming a pattern to life, Gretl discovers a hunger for education and God. Her days at the convent were filled with discoveries. Her evenings were filled with Jakob and the promise that one day they would find her uncle. For Jakob, Warsaw was becoming dangerous. The Home Army was beginning to collaborate with the Red Army and Jakob knew that he would not be able to look after Gretl any longer.

"Poland was under Communist rule,

the population was hungry.

Germany was in ruins,

its people faced starvation..."

Jakob learns about the Afrikaner desire to take orphans who were "pure Aryan" bloodlines into Africa for adoption. Would it be a land of milk and honey for Gretl? He knew that the South African government was "staunchly" opposed to Communism, she would be safe with a family that would look after her and give her a new beginning.

"He felt his resolve begin to crumble...

She gave him a brave smile...

She turned and went up the two steps, her back straight.

She opened the big door..."

For Gretl, 1948 would be the beginning of a new journey...a new life. For Jakob a piece of his heart would be forever lost. As Gretl is awaiting the men who will come for the orphans, she has been entrusted with the secrecy of her past, of her heritage, of her faith. Now she must embrace her future and find a new life with a new family. From the orphange, through the station at Hannover, across the sea into South Africa... Gretl learns to read Afrikaans books, she experiences the nightmares of fire, and she learns the uncertainty of beginning a life with people who are different than yourself.

Yet, on the day she meets her new parents. Gretl becomes Grietjie. She is no longer an orphan. She has a strong daddy, a loving mother, an older brother, and a very sweet Grandpa John. As Grietjie grows up, she is loved beyond measure. By 1956 she has become Grietjie Neethling.

By 1956, Jakob has become a man fleeing Poland. He has left Poland, his family, his career, everything... except for a "yellowed newspaper cutting of a small girl with a broad smile and ribbon in her hair."

This story is a "righteous" read. The characters have an inner depth with so many dimensions, a depth in which the story is given life of its own. The interwoven historical facts are presented as seeds of a "reality" that have been scattered from the teachings within our classrooms. The hope and the goodness of Gretl's journey touches a chord within your spirit. Her innocence and determination ignites the whispering of a promise yet to be fulfilled.

Beautifully crafted, this novel will become a treasured tale to be shared beyond your shelves,
MrsK

A "righteous" read in which hope is promised.

Outstanding book club choice.

Perfect educational choice for any Holocaust discussion.

Meet the Author:

Irma Joubert was a history teacher for 35 years. This experience has stood her in good stead when it comes to doing extensive research for her historical novels. She writes with empathy and a deep insight into personal relationships. She and her husband live in Bloemfontein.

"I received this book for free from The Fiction Guild for this review."

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheFictionGuild/

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MrsK's Reading Bio

Reading is important! No questions asked, not even a blink of the eye from any student I grew up with. On the first day of the First grade, we were given our first books. Day two we all read aloud, round robin of course. Day three we were place in our first basal, now known as a lit circle group. Books were so important, publishers designed new curriculum so that every student was reading by the end of the first week. These early readers had images that looked like what we could see in the classroom, beyond the classroom, even on the big screen. Reading is important, throughout history every generation has believed that “Reading” opens up the world for endless possibilities.

I adore the 1950’s Dick and Jane books. Actually, most reading specialists and experienced (45+) educators believe that every student learned to read with Dick and Jane. Since these books are being re-issued, I have heard many parents, grandparents, and students claim that Dick and Jane stories of repetition does teach students to read.

Early influences from my mother influenced my desire to read. I would watch her read and we would go on “secret” excursions to the library. The library became my playground. I owned every book I could carry home, of course they needed to be taken back to their home after visiting with me for a week or two. My first book that I could pull off of the library shelf and read was, Father Bear Comes Home. I only saw my dad on Sundays for a few hours. I would pull this beginning reader off of the library shelf every week. Every week I would try to read the first chapter. Every week I got further in the story. My mom would let me check it out, only if I could read it myself (She didn’t like the illustrations therefore she didn’t want to take time to read it to me). One day, I pulled the book from the shelf and when mom came to get me from the children’s corner, I realized that I had read the whole story. I ran to the check out desk and the Librarian KERCHUNKED the checkout card. My mother, brother and neighbors read. My teachers read. We all read aloud all day long in school. The Priest read aloud every day at mass, even in Latin. Everybody in the Doctor’s office read. People on the bus read. Dad’s waiting in their cars as the Mom’s and children grocery shopped, read. In fact, once you could read and write, Sunset Magazine considered you a reader and sent you mail every day.

Reading is important; I’ve spent my life reading. I’ve traveled around the world and into space through books. My favorite genre is whichever book I have open at the time. Children’s Literature is my passion. Book clubbing is one of the best past times, especially if food is involved. In fact my friends of old are in a book club and we are about to embark on a beach trip to “read” and discuss our newest selection.

My “home-run” book story has helped every student find his or her own “home-run” reads. Every year, I have shared my, Father Bear Comes Home, and every year my students have brought in their “home-run” books. That’s the “diving board” into our Lit. Studies.

In “Growing Up Digital,” Tapscott’s insights into the new generations enthusiasm for the Net reminded me of my generation’s enthusiasm for reading, movies, TV, parties and our driving permits. The Net-Generation, as Tapscott describes, “are learning, playing, communicating, working, creating communities, and enforcing a social transformation.”
N-Geners are interactive “techies” who are always looking for a way to “work it” verses the TV Generation of “Baby Boomers” who started out looking for “how it works.” Reading development is tougher today, society moves too fast to invest their “non-working” free time into a book or even “home work.” Since I stepped into my own classroom, I have seen students being told to read, being forced to read, and threatened into reading. Homework is not any longer the vehicle for students to gain their future lifestyles or careers with. Yet, the Internet does create an enthusiasm for learning. Since I have been enrolled in these courses, I have used the computers in every subject. My students are using the newest technology in the classroom because I am giving them investigative sites to use as they learn from each other and books. I agree with Tapscott, in order to bridge the gap with this up and coming generation we must “live and learn with them.”

FTC Required Disclaimer: I receive these books from the publishers. I did not receive monetary compensation for these reviews. These reviews have been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)