Brainstorm 276: Quakers & WWII

Today I have 2 books for you on the Quakers’ relief work in WWII. I had never heard about the American Friends Service Community and their work during and right after WWII before this year, and then I happened to read two books about them in the same week. The AFSC did some amazing things to help people, and these stories are both moving tales. Click on the titles to see my full review for each book and any content notes/trigger warnings. 

Bluebird by Sharon Cameron

In 1946 Eva Gerts and her mute, almost infantile-seeming adult friend Brigit Heidelmann step off a boat from Germany to the US. It is quickly clear, that though the women have papers and no problem getting through immigration, they are not who they say they are. While Eva is overwhelmed and suspicious of the amount of help the American Friends Service Community is willing to give them and what it will cost, a shady figure is following Eva around calling her Bluebird and talking about her mission. And Jake from the AFSC is going to get to the bottom of this mysterious Eva.

In 1945, Inge lives a privileged life as the daughter of a doctor high in Hitler's ranks. Her biggest worries are her contributions to the League of German Girls, or if she can sneak the car out for a drive without her mother realizing. That is until the day her mother hustles the whole household minus Papa to their summer cottage and leaves the windows boarded up. What is going on?

Just who Eva and Brigit are, how they came to America, and why will slowly be revealed.

This is my favorite book I’ve read this year so far. I absolutely love all the people from the AFSC (based on real people, see the author's note) who baffle Eva with their love and care. And that's the most beautiful part of this story, demonstrating just what kind of an impact loving words and actions can have on the life of a person who never experienced such things before. 

Target Readers:  

Mystery/Thriller Fans, Historical Fiction Fans, WWII Era Story Fans, Immigrant Story Fans, Spy Story Fans, Inspiring Story Fans, Young Adult & Adult Readers

 

The Winter Rose by Melanie Dobson

Grace is the daughter of an American movie star, but she's been trying to keep that a secret for years. She was raised by her loving grandparents who were much better at parenting than her fame and self-obsessed mother. Under her grandparents loving care, she learned to love God and desire to care for others. Which is why she's been in France for the past couple years with the AFSC first helping Spanish children refugees of the civil war, and now helping French Jewish children who are refugees of WWII. Her latest job is not going well as the Nazis are right on their heels.

In 2003 Addie has come to Oregon looking for a miracle. The man who became like a father to her after her tumultuous childhood is dying unless he can find a blood relative who is a match for a bone marrow transplant. Charlie is being stubborn and won't tell them anything about his family, so Charlie's wife Emma and Addie have decided to send Addie to search the place where his family owns land in Oregon. But Charlie's past is convoluted and contains secrets he and others would much rather remain buried. And while she hunts for Charlie's family, Addie must wrestle with her own recent and past burdens.

This was a powerful read about the power of Christ's work in turning lives around, redemption and forgiveness for the past, and hope that prayers we may not see answered actually have been or will be. Only a little bit is spent in WWII, about half is spent in the 2003-2004 time period, and the rest is spent in the years after the war finding out what happens to Grace, her family, and the refugee children in those years.

Target Readers:  

Historical Fiction Fans, Redemption Story Fans, Christian Fiction Fans, Refugee Story Fans, Multigenerational Family Story Fans, Adult Readers (though approachable to YA)