The Children of Willesden Lane
 | |
| Author | Mona Golabek Lee Cohen |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Memoir |
| Publisher | Hachette Book Group |
| ISBN | 978-0-446-69027-0 |
The Children of Willesden Lane is a memoir by Mona Golabek, documenting the life of her mother, Lisa, from the time she left Vienna, Austria to the end of World War II. It has been adapted into a film and an organization formed in honor of the book, that is dedicated to empowering people with the arts.
Plot
[edit]Lisa Jura was a prodigy who hoped to become a pianist during pre-World War II Vienna. As Nazi attacks on Jews continue in her home country, her parents send her on the Kindertransport to London, England. Several days after arrival, she became a servant at a manor. Sometime later, though, she leaves the manor. Lisa then resides in a hostel for Jewish children on Willesden Lane, where she makes new friends. Continuing her interest in piano, she plays music, inspiring the other children through their problems. It's a story of kindness and love and compassion.[1][2]
Reception
[edit]Joanna H. Kraus from Common Sense Media rated The Children of Willesden Lane five stars.[3] BookTrust described the book as "eye-opening".[4]
In 2018 the book was translated into Polish and published as Dzieci z Willesden Lane by Wydawnictwo Austeria.[5][6]
Awards
[edit]The children's edition is a 2018 Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable Book for Older Readers.[7]
Adaptations
[edit]A theater adaptation of the book, The Pianist of Willesden Lane, was adapted and directed by Hershey Felder.[8][9][10]
BBC Films and Empire of the Sun producer Robert Shapiro produced a movie version of the book released in 2016.
Legacy
[edit]The Hold On To Your Music Foundation has been created in honor of Lisa Jura. Its goal is to raise awareness of how arts can empower people through adversity.
References
[edit]- ^ "Lexile & Quantile Hub".
- ^ "The Children of Willesden Lane: A True Story of Hope and Survival During World War II". Jewish Book Council. May 21, 2017.
- ^ Kraus, Joanna H. "The Children of Willesden Lane Book Review". Common Sense Media.
- ^ "The Children of Willesden Lane". BookTrust.
- ^ Golabek, Mona. "Dzieci z Willesden Lane | Lee Cohen, Mona Golabek". Lubimyczytać.pl (in Polish). Retrieved July 19, 2023.
- ^ "Dzieci z Willesden Lane : pamiętnik muzyki, miłości i przetrwania". katalogi.bn.org.pl (in Polish). Retrieved July 19, 2023.
- ^ "The 2018 Sydney Taylor Book Awards Association of Jewish Libraries" (PDF). jewishlibraries.org. Association of Jewish Libraries. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
- ^ Wren, Celia (September 17, 2018). "Telling her mother's war story on stage with a piano". The Washington Post.
- ^ "Review: 'The Pianist of Willesden Lane' a resonant tale of survival". Los Angeles Times. April 26, 2012.
- ^ Charles Isherwood (July 22, 2014). "Theater Review: Repertory of Fear and Hope". The New York Times. Retrieved October 20, 2019.