In this book, Eleanor Ramrath Garner is the main character and she is an American. Her family originates in Germany, but they live in America at the beginning of the book. The time period is during Hitler's realm, but the father gets a job in Germany. I didn't understand why they actually wanted to move during this time, but they did. I thought that Garner kind of dragged on a little bit. The story had a good background, but she talked too much about somethings that really weren't that important to the reader in my opinion. Eleanor's parents were also very mean. They were always really unjust to their kids. Although the book was kind of boring, it did give an interseting point of view from a German person. Most other books about the Holocaust are from a point of view of a Jew. Towards the end of the book, you can see Eleanor growing up and becoming more mature. Her dad starts giving her more respect, because he can relate better to an adult than to a child. I think Eleanor grew up faster partly due to the war because she expreienced a lot more than other children her age did. I also think she grew smarter later in life because her tryig to survive the way she did. I would rate this book a 7 out of 10 because although it was boring, it also had some interesting points. (Such as the German point of view.)I would recommend this book to somebody who wants to read about what it was like to be on the opposite end of things during the Holocaust.

A wonderful, historical, thought provoking, true story that everyone should read. All ages will love this book. I think all young people will get insight and knowledge of what life was in Germany during World War ll. Adults will be astounded to read a perspective of the unique circumstances that this family lived through.

Many immigrant families struggled not only financially, but also from personal persecution from other Americans. In the time before World War II, Eleanor's father, struggling to make it in America moved their family back to Germany for a better job opportunity. As fate would have it, on the voyage home World War II breaks out. Eleanor and her family are trapped in Germany having to survive the war from both sides. During the war Eleanor experiences hunger, extreme cold, and a lack of stability. Once the war ended, Eleanor's pain continued because she was separated from half her family until enough money was raised to reunite them once again.
This captivating story of one girl's struggle in Hitler's Germany gives the reader an alternate view of Germans during World War II. The book contains mature content, which may not be suitable for preteens. This book would be interesting for people in 8th grade and older. It could promote Geography, History, the arts, Social Sciences, and relationships, along with possible other subjects.