When The World Was Ours Written by Liz Kessler. Reviewed by Ella, Age 16

This is a story about three children in a fairground in 1936 and how their lives progressed from that moment throughout the events of the Second World War. I will say no more than that because I think this is a book that everyone should read at least once in their life. However, be warned, it is not all lighthearted, as a story about the Holocaust could and should never be.

Liz Kessler does an incredible job of describing the three stories of Leo, Max and Elsa. She manages to follow through on the innocence of the children throughout the book without down playing the events of the time. Through her writing it was easy to picture Europe during the Second World War through the eyes of innocent children who lived through it.

As much as it is cliche to say it I could not put this book down. I read it within the space of a few hours, then I read it again. I would suggest that this book definitely becomes one for your book shelf and after reading it you give the story time to resonate.

The most powerful thing for me was knowing that this was inspired by a true story; it is not told in the way that you see some documentaries with anonymous statistics and black and white action clips. This book feels personal. Probably because it is personal to the author and that gives the writing a very special quality indeed.

I think my favourite part of this book is the end of the 1944 section. Though it’s not the happiest of points in the plot and I admit it did make me cry, it is truly beautifully written.

I think the most amazing thing about this book is the subliminal message of the story, that reminds us of the impact we can have on another  persons life, even if all you do was offer them a piece of cake or show some other kindness.