Survival, Separation, and the Strength of the Human Spirit

I’ve read many WWII books, but The Refugee’s Daughter by Carolyn Newton stands out. Set against the stark realities of war-torn East Prussia and the horrors of Soviet gulags, it sheds light on the little-known Wolfskinder—children who faced unimaginable trauma to survive. Thirteen-year-old Giti and her brother, Otto, live with their mother and grandmother. Russian soldiers attacked, killing their grandmother and burning their farm, forcing the survivors onto a crowded train bound for the Soviet Union. Tragedy strikes again, separating Giti and Otto. Giti escapes into the forest, where she’s rescued by a man in hiding. The two form an unlikely bond, but Giti’s determination to find her brother never […]

Read more...