Kelly Rimmer

Sixteen-year-old Roman Gorka is the son of Maja, a Jewish mother, and Florian Abramczyk, a devout Catholic who became ill and passed away at twenty-five. Roman's stepfather, Samuel, refuses to believe the rumors that the Germans plan to deport and exterminate the Polish Jews. Roman and his family live in the Warsaw ghetto in squalid and overcrowded conditions. Especially worrying is the health of Roman's malnourished baby sister, Eleonora. Maja cannot produce enough milk to nourish her infant daughter. In spite of his youth, Roman believes that he must fight the Germans and somehow save his parents and siblings. He scrounges around for scraps of food, and eventually joins the Resistance.

On the Polish side is thirteen-year-old Emilia Slaska, a motherless teenager living under the name Elzbieta Rabinek. After her father and brother are murdered, a goodhearted couple, Truda and Mateusz, take her in. They end up in an apartment in Warsaw rented by Piotr, Mateusz's resourceful brother. Emilia is grateful to have caring adoptive parents. However, after she develops a close friendship with a neighbor—a social worker, nurse, and good Samaritan named Sara—Emilia longs to do her part to help the Jews. Predictably, Emilia's fate becomes intertwined with Roman's. This young man strongly believes that "striving for justice is always worth the battle."

In "The Warsaw Orphan," Kelly Rimmer movingly demonstrates how Poles such as Sara (whom the author models on the heroic Irena Sendler) smuggled food and medicine into the ghetto and smuggled out small children. The author compellingly depicts Roman's and Emilia's determination to slow down the German juggernaut; the growing emotional and physical attraction between the two youngsters; and the ways in which other brave individuals tried to free Poland from their occupiers. This work of historical fiction is marred by passages of stilted dialogue and heavy-handed plot elements, but Rimmer effectively evokes the story's setting and creates a chilling atmosphere of impending doom. In addition, she realistically describes the carnage of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising and its aftermath, yet still offers a small glimmer of hope for the future.… (more)

As far as historical fiction goes, this was an “easy read”. It wasn’t as heavy as many stories in this genre. Then in the author’s note, Kelly Rimmer says, “I do not believe it is the role of historical fiction to educate us about history…I do, however, believe that great historical fiction should pique our curiosity and inspire us to educate ourselves.” I LOVE THAT!!

It was also a story that translates into real life. The growth through maturity; the difference in times that this happens for people; complicated love needing to take a backseat to loving yourself first…not just WWII themes…life themes!!

Side note…I guess this is a sorta sequel. It stands on its own for sure, but the main character has been introduced in an earlier book called The Things We Cannot Say. Definitely recommend and will read others by her for sure!… (more)

This last month has been a long one…a lot of changes and a lot of stress…which all led to a lack of energy and brain space to read. I know, unlike me, huh?!?

But for the time it took me, I am so glad I read it! I had tears in my eyes several times; for the love this family had for one another, amidst the backdrop and secrets they carried.

This author represents “easy read” historical fiction in the two books I’ve read of hers, but her ability to create characters to love is wonderful. I will continue to seek out her books!… (more)