My Mother's Secret: A Novel Based on a True Holocaust Story

J.L. Witterick

Sep 2013 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

Inspired by a true story, My Mother’s Secret is a captivating and ultimately uplifting tale intertwining the lives of two Jewish families in hiding from the Nazis, a fleeing German soldier, and the mother and daughter who save them all.
 
Franciszka and her daughter, Helena, are simple, ordinary people...until 1939, when the Nazis invade their homeland. Providing shelter to Jews in Nazi-occupied Poland is a death sentence, but Franciszka and Helena do exactly that. In their tiny home in Sokal, they hide a Jewish family in a loft above their pigsty, a Jewish doctor with his wife and son in a makeshift cellar under the kitchen, and a defecting German soldier in the attic—each party completely unknown to the others. For everyone to survive, Franciszka will have to outsmart her neighbors and the German commander.
 
Told simply and succinctly from four different perspectives—all under one roof—My Mother’s Secret is a testament to the kindness, courage, and generosity of ordinary people who chose to be extraordinary.

Ratings and reviews

A nice story but I wasn't a fan of the writing. Very simpliplistic and short, lacking detail. Maybe better aimed at preteens/young teens.

Amazing story about a very brave Polish mother and daughter who hid 2 Jewish families and a German soldier during Worl d War 2, at great risk to themselves. I highly recommend this story. Well written.

A clever mom and her daughter risk their lives by inviting a German, in charge of their village, to come over once a month to have a home cooked meal. In this way he sends her lots of extra food, which she uses to feed the Jews she has hidden away. Enjoyed this book.

About the author

J.L. Witterick  is the international bestselling author of My Mother's Secret. This novel was written because she was so inspired by the true story of Franciszka Halamajowa. Courage, kindness, and sacrifice should never be forgotten.