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About The Book
From the New York Times bestselling author of the Emily Windsnap series, Liz Kessler, comes a “brutally honest and totally believable” (Booklist, starred review) story of three young friends whose fates are intertwined during the devastation of the Holocaust—based on a true story.
Three friends. One memory.
Vienna. 1936.
Three young friends—Leo, Elsa, and Max—spend a perfect day together, unaware that around them Europe is descending into a growing darkness and that they will soon be cruelly ripped apart from one another. With their lives taking them across Europe—to Germany, England, Prague, and Poland—will they ever find their way back to one another? Will they want to?
Inspired by a true story, When the World Was Ours is an extraordinary novel that is as powerful as it is heartbreaking and that shows how the bonds of love, family, and friendship allow glimmers of hope to flourish, even in the most hopeless of times.
Three friends. One memory.
Vienna. 1936.
Three young friends—Leo, Elsa, and Max—spend a perfect day together, unaware that around them Europe is descending into a growing darkness and that they will soon be cruelly ripped apart from one another. With their lives taking them across Europe—to Germany, England, Prague, and Poland—will they ever find their way back to one another? Will they want to?
Inspired by a true story, When the World Was Ours is an extraordinary novel that is as powerful as it is heartbreaking and that shows how the bonds of love, family, and friendship allow glimmers of hope to flourish, even in the most hopeless of times.
About The Author
n/a
Liz Kessler has written over twenty books for children and young adults. Most of these are middle grade books featuring mermaids, fairies, time travel, and superpowers. She lives in the UK.
About The Readers
Product Details
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio (May 18, 2021)
- Runtime: 7 hours and 1 minute
- ISBN13: 9781797130088
- Grades: 5 and up
- Ages: 10 - 99
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Raves and Reviews
"Narrators Tom Lawrence and Willow Nash portray Leo, Max, and Elsa, three youngsters who come of age during Hitler's rise to power and the horrors of the Holocaust. Both narrators offer clear, precise enunciation and excellent pacing in their performances."
– AudioFile Magazine
Awards and Honors
- Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee (IN)
- USBBY Outstanding International Book
- Maine Student Book Award Reading List
- Capital Choices Noteworthy Books for Children's and Teens (DC)
- Texas Lone Star Reading List
- Black-Eyed Susan Book Award Nominee (MD)
- Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year Selection Title
- Green Mountain Book Award (VT)
- Intermediate Sequoyah Book Award Master List (OK)
- Kansas NEA Reading Circle List Top Pick
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): When the World Was Ours Unabridged Audio Download 9781797130088
- Author Photo (jpg): Liz Kessler n/a(0.1 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit
