by Gwen Strauss
First published 2017
Aube lives in secrecy at the Villa Air-Bel, a château where her family shelters during the Nazi occupation. The young girl must remain the most carefully guarded secret of all, hidden even more completely than the contraband radio and livestock concealed on the grounds. The villa serves as a refuge for artists, writers, and intellectuals awaiting passage to safety, including renowned painters Marc Chagall and Max Ernst. Despite the constant danger of Nazi discovery, Aube finds joy in daily activities with the creative community around her. She sings, plays games, and makes art alongside the assembled musicians, thinkers, and writers. The refugees transform their fear into resilience through shared creativity and companionship. This unlikely family of artists and intellectuals creates a world of courage and joy for Aube, proving that human connection and artistic expression can flourish even under the shadow of persecution.
Genres: art, historical-fiction, world-war-ii, family-drama
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, hidden-identity
Setting: Villa Air-Bel, France
Period: Nazi Occupation
40 pages · Hardcover · Pelican Publishing
Content warnings: war