Separated again in Switzerland, they suffered many hardships before the penniless family was reunited in New York in 1939. In early 1938, three-year-old Levitin escaped from Berlin, her birthplace, to Switzerland with her mother, Helene (1897–1993) and her two older sisters, Vera and Eva, while her father, Max Wolff (1898–1968), a clothing designer and manufacturer, made his way to the United States. Told in alternating points of view, this dramatic novel contrasts two cultures and compels readers to think about the role of religion in their own lives.Whether Sonia Levitin is writing picture books, mysteries, humor, historical adventures, or Young Adult novels dealing with the struggle of young people to find freedom and meaning in their lives, she says “I’ve come to realize I am always writing my own life story, blending personal experience with research and, of course, imagination.I write for young people because I remember my own youth so well.” Finally, Carlie holds the key to the changing paths that each of them will take. After surviving a traumatic incident she realizes that she has a strength of her own. Once there, Carlie is awakened by Mitch’s new spirituality. Aunt Vivian decides to take Carlie to Israel to lure Mitch back home. In California, Carlie, her aunt Vivian and uncle Harry grow increasingly alarmed at Mitch’s defection.
Now she wonders, is there more to the relationship, and is it wrong to care so deeply? In Israel Mitch finds fulfillment in studying the Torah, in his work as an artist, and in his new relationship with an Israeli girl. Since she was orphaned years ago, Carlie and Mitch have lived together like brother and sister. When sixteen year old Carlie learns that her older cousin Mitch is staying in Israel to study at an Orthodox yeshiva, she is upset and angry. Laura can’t stop, not until she knows the truth about everything even if it kills her. But Laura’s search for answers becomes an obsession. What would prompt her mother to write Megan now? And what did she mean by ‘forgiveness’? If Laura can unveil the mystery behind the letter, maybe she’ll also unveil the mystery that was and still is her mother. Written the day before her mother’s death, it’s addressed to someone named Megan and speakes vaguely of ‘forgiveness.’ Laura’s never heard of Megan, but Megan and Laura’s mother appear to have been childhood friends who hadn’t spoken in twenty five years. Then Laura finds a letter that raises more questions than it answers. So Laura lies in her mother’s bed, puts on her lipstick, reads her letters anything to answer Laura’s questions and end her unbearable loneliness.
It’s made Laura realize she hardly knew her mother, and that can never be fixed. Her mother’s death has left a void in her. But for Laura, nothing is helping or healing. Time will heal.’ That’s what people promised.
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