The Lily Pond

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 

Thor, Annika. 2011. The Lily Pond. Trans. by Linda Schenk. New York: Delacorte Press. ISBN 9780385908382

PLOT SUMMARY

Near the beginning of World War II, Sweden offered asylum to Jewish children.  Stephie and her sister, Nellie, are sent to live in Sweden with foster families to escape the dangers of the war.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Young readers, especially girls, will easily relate to the main character of this story, Stephie.  Although Stephie faces hardships that may be foreign to many readers, such as being sent away to live with strangers, she also faces issues that will be familiar to many readers, such as a crush on a boy and feeling out of place in a new school.  Her bravery is admirable.  Stephie is definitely a believable protagonist and her youthful perspective is honest.

The plot of this story is set in the larger context of World War II.  The story is not sugar-coated, but is appropriate for younger readers.  While the target audience of this story is children ages 8 and up, I thoroughly enjoyed this story.  I think it was meaningful to me because I was able to see the larger picture of the story and the threat of concentration camps looming.  If younger readers are unable to do that, the story will still be significant.  Thor has presented a story that is both authentic to the time period and enlightening without adding too many unnecessary historical details.

Thor excels at creating a vivid setting for the reader to imagine.  I was easily able to imagine the different homes where Stephie lived and the island where her foster parents lived.  The details were not overwhelming and I only realized how descriptive Thor’s writing was after reflecting about the story after I completed reading it.

The importance of family is a theme that can be found throughout this story.  Stephie’s love for her family is apparent and she struggles, like most adolescents, with the fact that she is growing up.  In Stephie’s case, the absence of her family makes the transition to adulthood even more difficult. 

I am unfamiliar with Swedish culture, but Thor’s presentation was subtle, and informative.  Small details were woven throughout the book to inform the reader about Swedish culture.  For example, Stephie often ate fish while on the island with her foster family because her foster father was a fisherman.  Differences in religions are apparent throughout the story as well.  In addition to information about Swedish culture, Stephie also teaches the reader about the culture of Austrian Jews.

The Lily Pond is a companion to Mildred L. Batchelder Award Winner A Faraway Island.  The Lily Pond can definitely stand alone, but readers interested in this genre may wish to read A Faraway Island first.  The third installment (of four) is due later this year.

The Lily Pond was completely engrossing.  Although it was a quick read, it was the kind of story that I could not put down until it was finished.  Historical fiction is my favorite genre and The Lily Pond reminded me why.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Booklist: “A compelling look at World War II–era Sweden, this distinguished Holocaust story will resonate.”

Horn Book: “Stephie’s story of adjustment to a new school and of a first crush is both specific and universal."

CONNECTIONS

                    

People interested in the experience of children during World War II might also be interested in these stories:

Eugene Yelchin. Breaking Stalin’s Nose. ISBN 0805092161

Anne C. Voorhoeve. My Family for the War. ISBN 0803733607