How far would you go to to ensure the children are safe? As far as you need to. This incredible work of fiction is based upon "the incredible true story of children who braved the formidable danger of guarded, wintry mountain passes in France to escape the Nazis, from the acclaimed author of Courage, My Love."
A multi main character novel of women who's stories blend together in harmonious good.
One is a Jewish refugee who along with her young sister are sheltering in a derelict castle overseen by the Swiss Red Cross. Living in fear, having not seen their parents in over three years the sisters do their best to assimilate with the other children refugees. Having been warned the Nazi's are on the way for the of age children the older sister and her boyfriend want to take the youngest sister with them as they go on a perilous journey over a mountain right as the harsh winter is ready to start. You can feel the pain and tension these characters are going through as the Nazi's are right on their tail with bullets flying. Running in the dark all night stumbling along, the descriptions are so vivid you can imagine yourself there with these characters.
The other women are just as important as they do whatever is necessary in the unrelenting face of danger to care for and shelter these children putting their own lives at risk. These courageous women take risks that though they jeopardize their own lives if they succeed it will mean a bright future for them.
Very highly recommended!

Pub Date 13 Sep 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Wow. What a story that was heartbreaking but also full of hope. I loved the duel point of views. So much bravery from the characters and I could tell the author did their research.

A powerful and emotional historical fiction of the escape of a group of children from the Nazis. It’s a tale of war, danger, but above all bravery. Equal parts heartbreaking and full of courage this was beautifully written.
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This book is out now!
Huge thank you to @berkleypub @berittalksbooks @thephdivabooks @dg_reads and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
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The Winter Orphans is as captivating as it is beautiful. A heart-wrenching story of resilience, sacrifice, courage & love, you won’t want to put this one down.

Set in southern France, Ella and her younger sister Hanni, live in a shelter with 100 other Jeweish refugee children who have escaped the Nazis. They are protected by Swiss volunteers of the Swiss Red Army who are doing everything they can to conceal the older children on the brink of 18 as it seems everyone is turning on them in aid of the Germans. It will take a village to save these children & for some, they’ll do anything to everything to protect them.

I absolutely loved this story with my whole heart. The authors note is an absolute must as it reflects so much of the research went into this book & how much of it was based off of real people and real situations.

THE WINTER ORPHANS is an emotional, historical novel set during World War II in both France and Switzerland. Based on a true story, it tells of children who left their parents in Nazi Germany and lived in children’s homes run by volunteers of the Swiss Red Cross. The story is told in three parts from different characters’ points of view.

Rosli was in charge of the children’s home, La Hille, in a remote part of France and fought fiercely for “her” children. Ann-Marie Piquet succeeded Rosli when Rosli was forced out by the Red Cross. The women held similar beliefs and worked hard while caring for and protecting the children under their charge, along with the help from a few men who worked with them and some on the outside who secretly supported their cause. Others also helped when they could, and the children themselves had such strength. Ella, a teen who lived in La Hille along with her younger sister, Hanni, also tells her story.

This is an emotional read. I often had tears streaming down my face. I could feel the cold, the children’s fear, their hunger and despair. But there’s a resiliency to them. They refuse to let their dreams be snuffed out, especially not knowing where their parents are, or if they’re even still alive.

THE WINTER ORPHANS is hard to put down. It immerses the reader in the story from the first page to the last. The author does a beautiful job of using her words to create images that resonate. I appreciated the gamut of emotions and very much enjoyed the epilogue, which takes place ten years later in Denmark. The Author’s Note at the end shows the research that went into the writing of this book and quantifies how much of what is portrayed really happened. If I could give THE WINTER ORPHANS more than 5 stars, I would! This book totally deserves it.

A RECOMMENDED READ!

A big thank you to @letstalkaboutbookspromo @kristenbeckauthor and @berkleypub for my advanced copy. The Winter Orphans is available now!

A poignant and ultimately triumphant novel based on the incredible true story of children who braved the formidable danger of guarded, wintry mountain passes in France to escape the Nazis.

I normally do not read or gravitate towards historical fiction. That’s not to say that I don’t enjoy it. With so many WWII fictional novels available its important to know which ones live up to the hype and are worth picking up.

I went into this book knowing as little a possible. I knew it was about sisters escaping France and that it was based on a true story.

I was pleasantly surprised with how much I loved the Winter Orphans and how much it just crushed my soul. The first quarter of the book was so heartbreaking it felt like my heart was twisting inside my chest. I was very impressed with all of the emotions this book made me feel while reading it. And don’t worry, it does end on a happy note that will leave you smiling and feeling good.

I’m a fan of WWII fiction. There’s so much still to learn about that time period and important stories to be told. I appreciated that this book brought to light a new perspective for me, the work of the Swiss Red Cross.

Jewish Children were sent to an abandoned French castle to hide during the war. Swiss nurses did all they could to protect these orphaned children. When the area is invaded, some of the older children are forced to flee into horrific conditions in order to survive. The bravery of the nurses and teenagers was mind blowing. The nurses commitment to helping these children above anything else carried a theme of hopefulness throughout the novel, despite the terrifying circumstances.

I really enjoyed this well-written, emotional WWII historical fiction! This story follows a group of children who bravely escape the Nazi’s through a harrowing journey of occupied France.

I really appreciated the research that went into the work of Anne-Marie Piguet to save all those children. The details were excellent, and while there were definitely fictional elements and characters, the overall story and amazing work that was done by Anne-Marie Piguet was well-portrayed.

The story is told through one timeline, which I really liked. That doesn’t seem to happen often in historical fiction, and I thought it was a wonderful choice for this book. It gave the book a great flow, and created a story I could really invest quickly in!

I would absolutely recommend this one to readers who enjoy historical fiction!

I have read many novels that focus on World War II. They may make me sad to read them, but I feel the history is so important that I have to read them. I love when World War II novels have a new perspective or a piece of history I never thought of before.

❄️Winter Orphans is a WWII novel that focuses on children during the war. When Jewish children are brought to Switzerland and placed in the care of the Red Cross, it seems they would be safe. But then the Germans decree that anyone over age 16 is no longer exempt and demands they be turned over at once. What ensues next is the determination of the women watching over the children to guide them to safety- through the secret mountain trails to escape.

❄️This book was heartbreaking and as a mother, I found it at times excruciating to read. But that is what made this book so remarkable. It captured true events with raw emotions that gripped my heart.

During WWII the Swiss Red Cross ran homes for French and refugee children. Many of the refugee children are Jewish. Ella Rosenthal and her sister Hanni reside in such a home near the Pyrenees Mountains. They feel as if they have found a safe haven after having fled Belgium where their parents had sent them when it became apparent that Germany would not be safe for Jews. Unfortunately, the Vichy government wants to play nice with the German aggressors and have started rounding up Jewish refugees over the age of 16. Director Rösli Näf feels she must do something to protect her children. Will she go against the directives of the Swiss Red Cross, and risk losing her job, to save these teens?

The Winter Orphans is told in alternating chapters from the points-of-view of three characters: Ella Rosenthal, Rösli Näf, and another Swiss Red Cross worker Anne-Marie Piguet. These characters are based on real people and the story is based on actual events.

I read a lot about WWII and Holocaust but I'm still finding pieces of history that I wasn't aware of. Like I knew that Switzerland was a neutral country during the war and knew that there were children's homes where French parents sent their children while Germans occupied France because they could not feed their children. I didn't know that the Swiss Red Cross operated these homes (I think the Catholic Church also ran some) nor that Jewish refugees from other occupied countries were sent to these homes.

Reading about this new-to-me aspect of WWII was interesting and eye-opening. Kristin Beck does an awesome job of bringing this history to life. As the real-life people the characters represent are little more than footnotes in history, she weaves an engaging story that feels authentic and completely believable. I loved all the historical notes she included at the end of the book. I really appreciate it when an author details what is rooted in facts and what she had to extrapolate or change for the sake of the story's flow.

The Winter Orphans is an engaging story. I loved the characters, there's plenty of tension, and definitely it provided food for thought about WWII. It is one of the best WWII fictional books I've read this year.

If you are in a book club, it would make an excellent book for discussion.

This book also made me curious about what was going on in the U.S. The U.S. was neutral at the beginning of the war and like the Swiss, they weren't very interested in accepting Jewish refugees. This book has whetted my appetite to know more and I'm looking forward to watching the 3-part, 6-hour Ken Burns documentary The U.S. and the Holocaust which will air on PBS starting Sunday night.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Friday - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2022/09/the-winter-orphans-by-kristin-beck.html

Based on true events and real people, The Winter Orphans is a gripping rescue story.

Thanks #NetGalley @BerkleyPub #BerkelyWritesStrongWomen #BerkleyBuddyReads for a complimentary e ARC of #TheWinterOrphans upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Based on true events and real people, The Winter Orphans is a gripping rescue story. During the years of WW11, there are one hundred orphans of all ages sheltered in a rundown castle, Chateau de la Hille, run by the Swiss Red Cross. Rösli Näf and Anne-Marie Piguet are the Red Cross Volunteers whose mission includes safeguarding the children. As Germany invades Southern France, protecting the Jewish orphans becomes more difficult. The only way to protect the older ones is to smuggle them out of France.

Is there a more noble cause than saving children from starvation and persecution, being their found family, feeding and loving them?

“Why do you call them your children:” he asked finally. “They’re not yours at all.” She frowned, thrown off. “Well, they shouldn’t be mine, should they? They all have families somewhere, and parents who loved them so dearly they tried to send them away to safety. They’ve been entrusted to me, and until they can be returned to their rightful homes, I will not let those parents down. I will protect them as my own.” She held his stare. “I will not leave.”

Rösli and Anne-Marie are heroes and were both named Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem: Rösli in 1989 and Anne-Marie in 1990. In addition to their courage, determination, and sacrifice, each woman demonstrates a significant sense of morality. They were going to do the right thing for these orphans despite obstacles, setbacks, or risk. They saved many lives. Even in darkness, goodness can shine through.

“May it be your will, Lord, our God and the God of our ancestors, that You lead us toward peace, guide our footsteps toward peace, and make us reach our desired destination for life, gladness, and peace.” ~The Tefilat Haderech, the Traveler’s Prayer

The Winter Orphans is told from three unique perspectives: Rösli, a stubborn, wise, clever, and resourceful nurse; Anne-Marie, a caretaker who is younger than Rösli and raised by foresters which provides her with invaluable experience to plot and navigate escape routes over the mountain passes; and Ella, one of the older orphans, a Jewish refugee, responsible for her young sister.

These three well-drawn and inspiring characters kept me engaged and turning pages! I always enjoy reading about real life difference makers. The character of Ella is a composite and represents many real children who were orphaned during the Nazi occupation of Europe.

Important and thoughtful themes include survival, found family, escape, determination, doing the right thing despite consequences, bravery, taking risks, friendship, sibling loyalty, and caring for children.

I’m enthusiastically recommending The Winter Orphans for fans of well-researched and well-written WW11 historical fiction, for readers who appreciate compelling stories of real women who are difference-makers, for those who love page-turning narratives, and for book clubs.

Related: This heartfelt story reminds me of The Book of Lost Names in which the main character is a forger who works with the Resistance in Southern France providing documents for children as they make their escape over the border and The Last Train to London in which a woman transports groups of at-risk Jewish children out of Nazi-controlled Europe by train.

Based off true events, this story follows the children running for their lives and the Swiss Red Cross workers who fight for them.

Rösli has never felt like she belonged; that she could never understand people even though she wanted to help. When she becomes the caregiver to a chateau full of Jewish children on the run from Nazi’s, she decides she should do what is morally right and not what her bosses say is legally right.

Anne-Marie works with children refugees saved from internment camps. Seeing how bad the camps are, and what the children are going through, she makes the choice to save as many lives as possible. Risking her life, Anne-Marie finds paths through the Swiss forests and mountains, saving lives from Nazis.

Ella and her younger sister Hanni have been sent away by their parents in the hopes that they would survive the war. When Germany invades more and the Nazis start arresting teenagers close to 16 or older, Ella has to decide if it’s worth the risk to escape, fight, or save her sister while leaving the rest of those she lives behind.

My thoughts:

Ouch. These stories always hurt me. I love the ones about those fighting against the evil and trying to save as many lives as they can. So many people banded together and did what they could, under the constant stress of being found out and murdered. Sometimes…you have to risk everything to do what is right. This story was written superbly. The details were so vivid and you really felt for every character involved.

Another amazing WWII book. I have read so many and learned so much. This one is told from a women’s POV as she lives in an orphanage that takes in children whose parents sent them away from the Germans to keep them safe. Both Ella and her sister, Hanni, have arrived safely at the orphanage that is run by Swiss volunteers.

The life of being an orphan is never easy, much less during WWII. The Germans do not care that these are children. In the German’s eyes they are jews and some have aged out of the Swiss protection. I was scared for Ella and the other older children as they were forced to hide, to make decisions that their young minds could not possibly make, and mostly to grow up so fast during a time when they should have been having fun.

The Winter Orphans is a story of young children who are living the worst of the war. These children are parentless, left alone in the world to stay alive. My heart broke for them but I was glad that they had volunteers who went above and beyond what was expected of them to keep them safe.

I always have a problem with this historical era, not much proud of my country history.
As the events take place in La France Libre, it was still the Vichy regime that edited laws, laws dictated by the nazis.
Of course, this awful period has seen amazing people banding against a common enemy, righting with their small or grand gestures the wrong done by the silent majority and its rulers.

This story is one of those saving graces, proof there is still hope and faith to have in humanity.
That even when shadows and darkness surround you, some will take risks and sacrifice their safety to help others.
With this three destinies of willing women fighting in their own way the weight of the oppressors, two real heroines and a fictional young girl turned woman, the author narrates the courage of these ordinary heroes, who saved as many lives as they could with no thought for theirs.
Rösli Näf, a red-cross volunteer, the woman behind the young escapees’ journey, Anne-Marie Piget the woman who seconded her and gave the children a safer map to escape when laws and authorities where against them and Ella a 18 something girl who poses for all those children who were the victims of ruthless laws, hate and greediness, athwart her, we face the struggles, horrors and pain these parentless children went through.

Rösli and Anne-Marie are two of the many unknowns who fought to save Jewish children from the horrible fate the German had in mind for them, they at time failed, but they never gave up to finally save more lives than they lost.
They made a difference in a time hope was really a rare currency.
5 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 kisses

I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

This historical fiction takes place in France from 1941-1943 during the time the Germans occupy France. The Swiss Red Cross has taken in Jewish refugee children of all ages into their arms with volunteers becoming the caretakers of these children until suddenly the Germans decide that any child 16 or older are no longer except and need to be turned over and shipped out to camps. The Swiss volunteer caretakers take charge and work together, risking their lives, to find ways for the children to escape to Swiss or Spain. The escape routes are dangerous and involve crossing treacherous mountains in the winter time through heavily guarded borders where Germans are patrolling ready to shoot on sight. This story is gut wrenching but also so damn inspiring, showing you that even in the midst of such horrible peril, there were good, amazing people who worked to help save most of these children. I am always so inspired by the strength and faith by everyone who acted against the Nazi regime during this time and worked selflessly to save so many lives. While this book is going to tear your heart out, it will also build it up with the hope, love and inspiration.

The Winter Orphans is one of the best books I’ve read this year. I read it all the way through, barely tearing myself away because it’s such an engrossing read.
I love that it’s based on true stories. Rosli, a prickly person, but whose stalwart determination saved many. Ann-Marie, who’s enthusiasm and eagerness was infectious for her young charges.
The writing is so good, it’s like you’re experiencing every single event with the characters.
I’ve read similar stories of asylums during WWII, but not this particular angle or people.

Thanks to Berkley for my advanced copy of The Winter Orphans by Kristin Beck. This was my first book of hers.

The Winter Orphans tells the story of a Swiss Red Cross orphanage in France during World War II. Based on a true story we meet Rosli & Anne-Marie who are Red Cross volunteers who will do anything to keep the children safe. When safeguarding Jewish refugees in Southern France is no longer safe and Château de la Hille is in danger she decides to smuggle the children out of France over the mountains to Switzerland. One of the young women who was living at the Chateau is Ella and her younger sister Hanni. Told in viewpoints of Rosli, Anne-Marie and Ella we see what they do to help the children and survive.

I liked how researched this was. The authors note was incredibly well done and I liked seeing what was fiction and what was history. The whole book was well written and it was an emotional book like so many WWII Historical fiction.

If you like reading WWII Historical fiction you'll like this story of hope and bravery.

In the vein of other WWII/Holocaust reads, this one was pretty heartbreaking. And there's just something devastating about what Jewish children had to endure during the 1940s in Europe, especially.

This is a great story that encapsulates what a few people were willing to go through to help those that couldn't help themselves. And this story truly did tug on the heartstrings. 

Swiss Red Cross workers, Rösli Näf and Anne-Marie Piguet both risk their lives to help refugee Jewish children. The lengths they go to to get the children to safety when France suddenly becomes unsafe for these children. The strength that these women had to have--was just inspiring. And while this isn't a true story, there are many stories out there of those that willingly did risk their lives in a similar manner. 

This book was inspiring, haunting, and a great fictional read on a devastating time in history. 

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book. My review will be live, at the link given, on 9.13.22.

Talk about an absolutely moving, unforgettable, and powerful book based on a true story! The Winter Orphans tells the story of the heroic men and women (Swiss Red Cross volunteers) who worked to save Jewish orphans and the how those children braved the formidable mountain passes in France to save themselves and escape the Nazis.

What appealed to you the most in this story?

I just loved this unique angle and how this WWII story was based on real people and events. This made the book much more emotional, because it is steeped in so much truth and humanity. There is heartbreak as you read, but there are also so many moments of strength and triumph.

Was the research well done?

I’ll admit that I went down the Google rabbit hole with this book and researched as much info on the subject as I could after reading. This was a story that I had never heard about before (Swiss Red Cross helping Jewish orphans), Beck did her research for this book and a marvelous job bringing these heroic characters to light. The Author’s Note section at the end detailing her motivations and findings as she researched information for her book made this story even more poignant.

How was the pace?

Slow burn but felt more like a steady pace for reading speed. The three POV in the story kept the book moving along, and it was interesting to see how the events affected each character so differently.

Do you recommend this book?

If you are a fan of historical fiction, then check out this unique and incredible WWII story about strength and the impossible choices of those willing to risk everything to save children in need.

Thank you, UpLit and Berkley Publishing, for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Winter Orphans by Kristin Beck is moving, suspenseful, and heart-wrenching. It’s also full of hope, danger, and courage. This historical fiction novel is largely set in southern France between August 1942 and November 1943. Parents often sent children fleeing Germans away to Belgium. Three years ago, that happened to Ella Rosenthal and her young sister, Hanni. Now they are sheltering with one hundred other young refugees in a derelict castle overseen by the Swiss Red Cross. There are other such “colonies” across southern France. Rosli Naf and Anne-Marie Piguet are two of the Swiss volunteers who want to protect the children. Rosli directs the colony where Ella and Hanni are sheltering. As the oldest children get closer to eighteen and Germany invades southern France, Rosli and Anne-Marie realize they have to smuggle the older teens out of France. Will they be successful? Who will survive?

Ella is often afraid, but she is protective of her sister and will do anything to help her survive, and that takes courage she didn’t know she had. She’s also quiet, gentle, and thinks while others talk. Rosli doesn’t consider herself good with feelings, but is great with rules. However, she is protective of the children in her care, strong, and courageous. Anne-Marie is younger, a caretaker in a different colony, and just as protective and courageous.

Told from the points of view of Ella, Rosli, and Anne-Marie, this novel is based on true events and real people. The courage of these three and many others is extraordinary in the face of so much adversity, hatred, and bullying. The story is heart-breaking at times and the tension and terror felt by the children is palpable. However, there is also bravery, standing up for what is right, kindness, moments of happiness, and a willingness to help others by some that lightens the story at times.

This story is well-written and well-researched. The prose immediately draws readers into the story and the world-building and atmosphere are so tangible one can feel the terror and the cold. This moving book has unforgettable characters and is a story that will stay with me. It took me on an emotional rollercoaster. While there was sadness, fear, and cruelty, there was also hope, love, kindness, and courage. The author’s note is well worth the read and explains which characters were real people that did astonishing things during this terrible time in world history and which were fictional, but inspired by others.

Overall, this was an engaging and emotional story of hope, fear, and bravery in the face in adversity. Those that enjoy historical fiction are encouraged to consider this book as their next read.

Berkley Publishing Group and Kristin Beck provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for September 13, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.