“Thelda, an idealistic teacher, tries to instill a passion for learning in her young boys while keeping them safe until Hitler’s regime blows over. But the winds coming from the Third Reich will burn hot and this is just the beginning. Moving back and forth in time, Hegi paints a vivid, chilling picture of life in Germany leading up to 1934 and the opening days of the Third Reich. I liked Thelda’s character and mourned for the country soon to be torn asunder.”—Deon, Sunriver Books & Music, Sunriver, OR