The Enemy’s Daughter

Gr 4-7–Blankman’s newest historical fiction work takes readers directly into the conflict between England and Germany in March 1915. Marta and her father are trying to return home to Germany from the United States when their ship, the Lusitania, is attacked by German forces. With this tragic and infamous historical event as the backdrop, Blankman thrusts readers into Marta’s quest to return to her mother and brother in Germany after her father is captured by English authorities. On her journey she is discovered and befriended by an Irish girl, Clare, and all that she believed she knew about Germany’s enemies is brought into question. In this thrilling tale of escape and intrigue, Marta and Clara learn lessons about discrimination, the cruelties of war, and the potential dangers of patriotism in an occasionally heavy-handed, but nonetheless powerful, manner. This would be a strong addition to history curricula about WWI and The Lusitania, or to any teachings on discrimination or on how far knowing people as individuals goes toward eradicating stereotypes.