My Mother's Secret

Name: My Mother's Secret
ISBN: 9780399168543

2013·195 pages·young adult

“Writer J. L. Witterick paints a vivid picture of the world of Franciszka Halamajowa, a heroine in Nazi-occupied Poland who, with her daughter, Helena, harbored Jews despite the mortal danger. A moving and captivating portrait of that terrible period.”
— Amir R. Gissin, Consul General, Toronto and Western Canada, Consulate General of Israel

“A gripping story about the dark period of the Holocaust, My Mother's Secret will educate young people born after the end of World War 11, as well as refresh the memory of their seniors. It is a fitting testament to two very courageous ladies.”
— Charles H. Belzile, CM, CMM, CD, Lieutenant General of Canada (Retired), Order of Canada, Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Vimy Award, Honorary Grand President of the Royal Canadian Legion

“A touching, humane work that celebrates the power of love, the attributes of leadership, and the importance of family.”
— Margaret Southern, Companion of the Order of Canada, Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order, Alberta Order of Excellence

“A poignant reminder of what can happen, and a tale of incredible courage.”
— Tony Gage, Board of Governors, University of Victoria

“My granddaughter says it's the best book she's ever read!”
— Harold J. Wolfe, Board of Trustees, The Jewish Theological Seminary, and Chairman, Beth Tzedec Foundation of Toronto

Inspired by a true story, My Mother's Secret is a profound, captivating, and ultimately uplifting tale intertwining the lives of two Jewish families in hiding from the Nazis, a fleeing German soldier, and the mother and daughter who teamed up to save them. Franciszka and her daughter, Helena, are unlikely heroines. They are simple people who mind their own business and don't stand out from the crowd . . . until 1939, when crisis strikes. The Nazis invade Poland and start to persecute the Jews. Providing shelter to Jews has become a death sentence, and yet Franciszka and Helena do exactly that. In their tiny two room home in Sokal, they cleverly hide a Jewish family in a loft above their pigsty, a Jewish doctor with his wife and son in a makeshift cellar under the kitchen floorboards, and a defecting German soldier in the attic - each party completely unknown to the others. For everyone to survive, Franciszka will have to outsmart her neighbors and the German commander standing guard outside her door. Told simply and succinctly from four different perspectives - all under one roof - My Mother's Secret is a testament to the kindness, courage, and generosity of ordinary people who choose to be extraordinary.

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My Mother's Secret

J. L. Witterick

Year

2013

Pages

195

Audience

young adult

Historical Fiction

Praise

“Writer J. L. Witterick paints a vivid picture of the world of Franciszka Halamajowa, a heroine in Nazi-occupied Poland who, with her daughter, Helena, harbored Jews despite the mortal danger. A moving and captivating portrait of that terrible period.”
— Amir R. Gissin, Consul General, Toronto and Western Canada, Consulate General of Israel

“A gripping story about the dark period of the Holocaust, My Mother's Secret will educate young people born after the end of World War 11, as well as refresh the memory of their seniors. It is a fitting testament to two very courageous ladies.”
— Charles H. Belzile, CM, CMM, CD, Lieutenant General of Canada (Retired), Order of Canada, Commander of the Order of Military Merit, Vimy Award, Honorary Grand President of the Royal Canadian Legion

“A touching, humane work that celebrates the power of love, the attributes of leadership, and the importance of family.”
— Margaret Southern, Companion of the Order of Canada, Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order, Alberta Order of Excellence

“A poignant reminder of what can happen, and a tale of incredible courage.”
— Tony Gage, Board of Governors, University of Victoria

“My granddaughter says it's the best book she's ever read!”
— Harold J. Wolfe, Board of Trustees, The Jewish Theological Seminary, and Chairman, Beth Tzedec Foundation of Toronto