Someone Named Eva facts for kids
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| Author | Joan M. Wolf |
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| Original title | Someone Named Eva |
| Genre | Historical fiction |
| Publisher | Clarion Books |
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Publication date
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2007 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover and Paperback) |
| Pages | 200 |
| ISBN | 0-618-53579-9 |
| OCLC | 71266346 |
| LC Class | PZ7.W819157 Som 2007 |
Someone Named Eva is a historical novel for young adults written by Joan M. Wolf. The story follows Milada, an eleven-year-old girl from Czechoslovakia. Her life changes dramatically during World War II, especially after Germany takes over Czechoslovakia between 1942 and 1945.
Contents
What Is Someone Named Eva About?
This book tells the story of Milada, a young girl living in the village of Lidice, Czechoslovakia. The story begins on her 11th birthday, when she receives a special gift: a telescope. Soon after, her life takes a very difficult turn.
The Nazi Invasion and Family Separation
One day, Nazi soldiers arrive at Milada's home. They order her family to pack a few things and leave their house. Milada's father and older brother, Jaroslav, are taken away from the rest of the family. Milada, her mother, her younger sister Anechka, and her grandmother are held with other women from Lidice in a large building.
Milada's New Identity: Eva
Milada is later taken for a health check. Doctors measure her face and check her features. Because she has blonde hair, blue eyes, and features that the Nazis considered "perfect," she is separated from her family. She is sent to a special center in Poland. At this center, Milada is given a new, more "German" name: Eva. Other girls there are also renamed. The center uses strict rules and teaches the girls German language, Nazi ideas, and home skills. The goal is for them to become part of German society. Eva tries hard to remember her past, but she slowly starts to forget her own language, Czech.
Life with a German Family
Eva is then adopted by a German family, the Werners. The family includes Vater (father), who is an important official in the Nazi government, Mutter (mother), and two children, Elsbeth and Peter. They also have a dog named Kaiser. Eva lives with them, trying to fit into her new life.
A Shocking Discovery
One day, while walking with Elsbeth after a picnic, Eva hears a familiar song. It is the Czech national anthem. As she gets closer, she sees a concentration camp filled with female prisoners. This sight brings back many memories for Eva. She suddenly remembers who she truly is: Milada. Elsbeth explains that this is the Ravensbrück concentration camp, and her Vater is in charge of it.
The End of the War
As the war continues, the Nazis begin to lose battles. Russian troops surround Berlin. Vater decides to hide and takes Peter with him. Mutter, Elsbeth, and Eva move to a basement shelter for safety. In May, Soviet Red Army soldiers arrive at the house. They search for documents left by Vater. Mutter tells them she knows nothing. The soldiers leave without harming the family, but they search the house and take everything from Vater's office. A few days later, Hitler is announced dead, and the war finally ends.
Returning Home and Rebuilding Life
Sometime after the war, people from the Red Cross Association visit the Werner house. They announce that Milada's mother is alive and looking for her daughter. Eva realizes they are talking about her. At that moment, Eva becomes Milada again. She is taken back to Czechoslovakia.
Milada meets her mother in Prague. She learns that her mother was held at Ravensbrück, very close to where the Werner family lived. Milada also learns sad news: her father and brother Jaro, along with all the other men from Lidice, were killed by the Nazis on the same day they were separated. Her grandmother died in the Ravensbrück camp due to her old age. Her best friend was also killed in Poland. Her sister Anechka was adopted by another German family, and the Red Cross is still searching for her. The book does not say if Anechka was ever found and returned.
Milada's mother was very weak from her time in the camp. After she recovered, they moved to live with a cousin in Prague. They visit Lidice, but find that their house and most of the village were completely destroyed by the Germans. Milada slowly starts to learn Czech again, almost from the beginning. Milada and her mother grow closer as they share their experiences from the terrible time they were separated. Finally, Milada is able to fully remember her true identity and feel proud of who she is.
Awards and Recognition
Someone Named Eva has been recognized with several awards and nominations:
- Texas Bluebonnet Book Award Candidate
- Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award Candidate
- Illinois Rebecca Caudill Award Candidate and 2010 2nd place Honor Book
- Sunshine State Young Readers Award Candidate
