| 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.
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]
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]
The children's edition is a 2018 Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable Book for Older Readers.[7]
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.