Sonia was just nine years old when Kristallnacht ended her happy

childhood. Her father and older brother escaped to Belgium and

Sonia's mother devised a plan for her two remaining children to

escape to Antwerp by train.  Sonia, in sole charge of her little brother,

Max, carried out a carefully rehearsed performance to keep the

inspectors from looking at their (non-existent) passports. Much more of such courage and cool-headedness was required of the little girl when, again alone, for eight months in 1940 she created a life for the

two of them in France; when she found herself solely in charge of moving house in Antwerp while her mother was in hospital; and more again when she lived as a Christian in a convent.

Fortunately, there was also Harry Kempler. Theirs was a love story so joyous, constant and true, although with a sudden, tragic ending. Sonia carried on, as bravely as ever. She is a wonderful natural story-teller and has created a gift for her family they will cherish for generations to come, as well as an inspiring story for readers at large.