The Girl They Left Behind, by Roxanne Veletzos, 2018, Atria (Simon & Schuster)

So many striking personal histories have come out of World War II! This one, though fictional, is based on the young life of the author’s mother, and includes a few photos and a short account of her real story at the end of the novel.

The author grew up in Bucharest, Romania, where most of the story is based. The story begins in 1941 when the protagonist is not quite 4 years old. Jews are being rounded up and sent to death camps. Her parents make a run for it, but decide that in order for all three of them not to be caught and killed they will have to leave her somewhere with the hopes that kind people will take her in.

This does happen, and the author takes us through the ensuing growing-up years of the child’s life, happy and sad and scary, and the changing times Bucharest goes through politically and culturally.

The reader gains insight into the realities of things that went on and ways that the war affected individuals. Throughout the story hope is prevalent and the author spares us from the most horrific depths of what humanity sank to in this war, yet alluding to some of the possible outcomes had her characters not been spared the fate of many.

Prayer, faith, and acts of compassion and bravery by individuals from several factions are what worked together to save this young girl time and again.