Finding Sophie

March 1, 2003
Gr 5-9-In 1938, when Sophie Mandel was seven, she was put on a train in Germany and sent to her "Aunt Em" in London. Now, seven years later, the war is ending, and Sophie is terrified she will be sent back to the parents she barely remembers. This is the story of her 14th year, as she comes to terms with her past and with what her future must be. Watts gives readers a real sense of Sophie's early childhood in Germany, as well as her experience as a refugee in England. The thread of Sophie rediscovering the older girl who took care of her on the Kindertransport, and who truly understands her feelings, is worked into the story beautifully. Sophie's emotions are realistically portrayed, and she is a strong, sympathetic, yet imperfect character. Watts has captured the fear, pain, and hope of children who lived through this experience. Most young people know very little about the Kindertransport, and this lovely story will open their eyes while introducing them to a memorable young woman who will remain in their thoughts. This companion book to Good-bye Marianne (1998) and Remember Me (2000, both Tundra) stands completely on its own, although readers of the first two are likely to request it. Libraries looking for historical fiction on World War II, or with Jewish protagonists, will want to add this to their collections.-Amy Lilien-Harper, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT

Copyright 2003 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2003
Gr. 5-8. In a companion piece to "Good-Bye, Marianne "(1998) and "Remember Me" (2000), Watts draws on her childhood experience in the Kindertransport" "rescue operation to tell a moving, unsentimental story of a German Jewish child sent by her parents to Britain to escape the Nazis. Now World War II is ending, and 13-year-old Sophie can't bear that she might have to leave "real" life in her happy London home, where she has lived with her kind aunt Em for seven years. Will Sophie have to return to the parents who are practically strangers? Haunted by the shocking photos of the liberated camps, she waits for news that her family is safe, at the same time dreading the thought of reunion and trying to block out the memories of why and how they sent her away from Berlin. With searing honesty, Watts stays true to the young girl's experience. Her best friend lectures her about biting her nails, even as Sophie gets news of her mother's death in an air raid. The mixture of anger and guilt, hope and dread brings the displacement story home. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2003, American Library Association.)