Vienna, 1936.
Leo, Elsa, and Max have been best friends for years. Since the day they met they’ve been a team of three. They spend a perfect day together, unaware that around them Europe is descending in a growing darkness. The Nazi’s have come, and their lives, once so tightly woven together, take very different directions.
Leo must rely on the kindness of strangers to escape the rising threat to the Jewish people. Elsa, like Leo, is hated simply for being who she is. To be safe, she must run. While Max suddenly finds that he is the danger his friends are trying so desperately to escape as his father rises through the Nazi ranks.
By gaining access to each character’s perspective, this novel allows young readers to understand this period of history in a comprehendible way, while making sense of the motives behind people’s actions. Max, in particular, is a character who explores how so many ordinary people could have become a part of such a brutal regime.
Inspired by a true story, this is an extraordinary novel that is as powerful as it is heartbreaking. Through the bonds of love, family, and friendship, this story shows how glimmers of hope can flourish, even in the most hopeless of times. It contributes to current conversations about social justice, and offers young readers the opportunity to think about the informed decisions they make, and the part they want to play in the world of tomorrow.
Author 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. However, When the World Was Ours hits closer to home. It’s a way for Kessler to honour her past, her ancestors, and her heritage. Leo, for example, is inspired by her father’s story, while her family’s history has influenced many other aspects of the novel. We recommend this book for readers aged 14+.
The author has also added this content warning: “this book contains mature themes and depictions of violence and cruelty related to the Holocaust and we advise readers to be aware of difficult content that may cause distress. A list of resources with more information on the Holocaust and this period in history can be found at the end of [the] book.”
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