The Ark

Historical fiction that feels immediate and relevant. I'll tell you what, the worst that covid-19 can do to us is nothing compared to what WWII did to the ordinary German people. And yet with a lot of love and hard work, and a little luck, ruined lives can be renewed. I very much enjoyed my time spent watching this plucky family deal with rationing, fear, loneliness, & hunger, and finally come into their own. I'm glad there's a sequel, though this does end satisfyingly if you can't find.

This one, at least, is on openlibrary.org, free to borrow a carefully scanned copy.

Lovely, engaging read about a German family enduring and finding joy despite hardship following World War 2. I think this could be a valuable addition to WW2 reading, showing Germans as humans and portraying recovery from war. Appropriate as a read aloud for all ages. Probably best for 8-12 or so.

Lovely story of life in Germany just after WWII. The struggle of common folks to find work and a place to live and food. It was a very hard time, but the wonderful characters never gave up hope and were always willing to help when they could. I loved the positive attitude of the book. I really loved the people and felt for them in the difficult situation.

Immediate post-WWII Germany is the setting for this engaging book. The family consists of the mother and 4 children. One of the children lost her twin brother during the war, along with her dog. The father's last known location was a Russian camp. They've lost everything but each other, and have been foisted off by the refugee bureau on a reluctant widow who asked for a nice quiet couple. How they cope makes for a very interesting and ultimately hopeful story. Benary-Isbert is masterful at capturing bittersweet emotions in a few words. Highly recommended.

Excellent juvenile fiction about a family's experiences in post-WW II Germany.

Drama of a family in post war Germany while the father, if still alive, might be in a POW camp in Russia or he might be making his way back to his family.