The Lily Pond by Annika Thor

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Bibliography
Thor, A., & Schenck, L. (2011). The lily pond. New York: Delacorte Press.

Plot Summary
Stephnie Steiner along with her younger sister Nellie, left Vieena that had been occupied by Nazis. They found shelter in an island called Goteberg, Sweden. They had adapted to their new home and foster parents when Stephnie gets the opportunity to go back to school. In the process falls in love with a boy named Sven. He is older and the son of the family that she is staying with will attending school on a scholarship.  She makes a good friend in May and has a few issues with other classmates. Along with the struggles of the war Stephnie has to deal with the many troubles of being a teenager. As well as wonder about the well-being of their parents that had to stay back.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Author Annika Thor was born and raised Jewish in Göteborg, Sweden and one can tell by the text. She describes locations with many details. She describes the streets made of cobblestone, trams, and the lilly pond the main character visits among many other things. The book was originally written in Swedish and later translated. When considering authenticity of events and culture the author most likely drew from her background. The text is consistent with historical events. Jews looked for asylum in parts of Sweden when the Nazi’s conquered their home country. The time period is during WWII and the struggles that people had to face associated with the time.

One can see how there is Swedish and Jewish presence in the text such as some of the names of the characters. They are unique in the spelling and some I am not even sure if I am pronouncing them correctly. Even though, the main characters have escaped Vienna from the wrath of the war they still experience discrimination. When Stephie moves in with the Soderbergs she is treated with some hostility and more of a burden than part of the family. These were many of the things children that were put into other homes experienced while waiting the end of the war.

They were removed from what was familiar to them and exposed to culture and beliefs that were not their own. Even those that shared their beliefs frowned upon them for no one questioned or judged them being Jewish until refugees came to live in their cities.

The book also touches on everyday life and issues teens could easily identify with. Some of the topics that occur are exile, war, love, loneliness, and friendship. Stephie makes a friend in May even though they don’t share the same culture. She falls in love with Sven, but his family does not treat Stephie kindly. She experiences distinct cultures as the story progresses.
I did not see any mention on Stephie and her sister’s economic status. Though, if her parents were able to find a host family and visas into the United States one can assume that they were well off before the war. It is rich in cultural details since it does mention in some parts their customs before having to leave.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Book

ALA-ALSC Notable Children’s Book

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
Books with similar time periods:
Soldier Bear by Bibi Dumon Tak ISBN13: 9780802853752
Ashes by Kathryn Lasky ISBN13: 9780670011575
The Other Half of Life: A Novel Based on the True Story of the MS St. Louis by Kim Ablon Whitney ISBN13: 9780375852190


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