They Went Left

This fast-paced and engaging historical fiction novel set in 1945 Germany offers plot twists and suspense while weaving the present and the past, creating an intriguing mystery that will capture readers’ attention. It is a story about Zofia, as she struggles to rebuild and joins others who try to piece together a future from a painful post-war past, navigating physical trauma and debilitating mental health. The novel lends itself as a literature circle selection or as an independent or class novel study in a senior secondary classroom. Teachers may pair the story with other resources dealing with war, genocide, the Holocaust, and childhood trauma and invite students to explore the historical events of World War II and post-war, war-torn Europe. Students may be encouraged to create timelines or maps to illustrate the places highlighted in the narrative.