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Tilli's Story: My Thoughts Are Free
Tilli Horn is a five-year-old farm girl in a tiny village in eastern Germany when World War II begins. Her family opposes Hitler's Nazi Party, but is powerless to rebel. Tilli is forced to join a Hitler Youth group and participate in Nazi propaganda. As the war intensifies, she endures air-raid drills, nearby bombings, and constant fear. After the war ends, Russian soldiers invade Tilli's village, sending 11-year-old Tilli and a dozen other girls into hiding in a secret attic - a three-foot tall, dark, cramped space, where they remain for months lest they be assaulted. These and other details show what life was like for ordinary rural German children like Tilli under both Hitler and Stalin's regimes. Tilli's compelling memoir follows this brave young girl's fight to live in a place where not just her thoughts can be free. Recommended for teens and adults.
302 pages, Paperback
First published July 20, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 15, 2017
I can't fully separate my feelings about this book from my own family's history: my grandma had very similar stories about World War II and the time after the war ended in Germany. So in some ways I felt like I was reading a version of her story as well. In any case, it's a memoir about a young girl's experience growing up in Germany during the Second World War, and then what happened in Eastern Germany as Soviet troops took over after the war's end. Mostly it just shows how terrible war is in general, even if you aren't on the front.
September 26, 2012
Well, since I wrote this book along with the book's subject, Tilli Schulze, I feel funny reviewing it! But I can summarize it. This is the true story of a young girl growing up in east Germany under both Hitler and, later, Stalin. Tilli lives on a farm in rural northeastern Germany, far from the cities. Yet, her life is touched by the Nazi regime: she and her family must abide by Nazi rules (including having a picture of Hitler in their home and spending hours honoring Hitler during his annual birthday celebrations, arms outstretched). She is force-fed Nazi propaganda. She must join the Hitler Youth. Her young brother, at age 16, is drafted into the war even as it winds to its end in 1945. Her horses are drafted. Her nearby village is bombed (she has no bomb shelters in which to hide). After the war, she must hide with 12 other village girls in a tiny, hidden crawlspace beneath the roof of her home, lest she be found and raped by marauding Russian soldiers. The space is so small she can't stand up. There are no windows. The girls use a chamberpot and eat the food her courageous mother brings to them when the Russians aren't looking. She stays in this secret attic for months, before typhoid strikes. Later, she returns to the school she loves -- but this is taken from her in an act of violence. Ultimately, she must decide whether to join the Communist Party, trading one thought-control regime for another, or flee the country, by herself, not knowing if she will ever see her mother, sister, and brothers again.
This is just a short summary; obviously, much more happens. The book has been used in schools in Germany and the U.S., where it is particularly suited for middle-school Holocaust units. It is unusual in its depiction of what happened to ordinary, rural Germans during the war; it is, unfortunately, not unusual in showing what happens to innocent children in war and in the depiction of rape used as a weapon of war.
Teachers will find a classroom guide in the back of the book. It is not yet Common Core aligned, but as a nonfiction text, does meet this emphasis in the new standards. The book also appeals to book clubs; Tilli and I spoke at many of them throughout northern Illinois, Wisconsin, and Florida over the past few years. A book club guide and author interview also is included in this book, which is available in print, Kindle, and Nook versions.
Some reader comments we've received, which are all posted on our website at www.mythoughtsarefree.com/Reader_comm... :
I just finished reading this book. How interesting this story is to me. I have read dozens of books and seen many films about WWII. I have read books written by Germans, Russians, Italian, Jewish, you name it. None of them were like this though. I felt like I know Tilli and share her sorrows and fears and joys. It has made me talk with my grandchildren about how lucky we all are – even in this age of seemingly unhappy people who can never get enough.
I am proud of Tilli for doing what she did, leaving her home to make a new one. I hope she has had much joy here in America. She did the right thing, because it was right for her.
~Sandy Briggs, Elkhart, IN
Loved, loved your wonderful book!
I found it so interesting to read about, from your perspective, the effects of WW2 on a family that was not Jewish. I don't think it is realized what non-Jews went through during this time.
Your courage and determination is to be admired, as well as your friends and family. Your mother was an incredible woman who raised an equally brave daughter.
Thank you for sharing your story.
~Susan Orenstein, Atlanta, Georgia
Tilli's Story Will Stick With You—blog post by MinnesotaTransplant, 3/29/11
The overt story is about a girl who grew up in East Germany during World War II and the country's subsequent occupation by the Soviet Union, but the underlying story is about the strength of women.
"Tilli's Story: My Thoughts are Free" by Lorna Collier and Tilli Schulze tells how Schulze drew up on a farm southwest of Berlin, first under the rule of the Nazis and then the Soviets. She escaped to West Germany in 1950 only to languish in a battle of paperwork before emigrating to the United States.
This is a different story about Germany in World War II than has been told in the popular media. It is not about Adolf Hitler, the extermination of the Jews or America's triumph -- it is about an ordinary farm family caught in the crossfire of politics.
As one might expect from a war-era story, much of the story revolves around soldiers, bombs, war atrocities and fear, but at its heart, Schulze tells how education and her mother's love gave her hope and ultimately led her to freedom. The story begins and ends with the courage and quiet defiance of her mother in the face of a philandering husband and more than one oppressive government. One strong woman raises a daughter to be another strong woman.
-- MinnesotaTransplant Monica Lee. (Thanks, Monica!)
If anyone has comments or questions, please feel free to email me at comments@mythoughtsarefree.com.
This is just a short summary; obviously, much more happens. The book has been used in schools in Germany and the U.S., where it is particularly suited for middle-school Holocaust units. It is unusual in its depiction of what happened to ordinary, rural Germans during the war; it is, unfortunately, not unusual in showing what happens to innocent children in war and in the depiction of rape used as a weapon of war.
Teachers will find a classroom guide in the back of the book. It is not yet Common Core aligned, but as a nonfiction text, does meet this emphasis in the new standards. The book also appeals to book clubs; Tilli and I spoke at many of them throughout northern Illinois, Wisconsin, and Florida over the past few years. A book club guide and author interview also is included in this book, which is available in print, Kindle, and Nook versions.
Some reader comments we've received, which are all posted on our website at www.mythoughtsarefree.com/Reader_comm... :
I just finished reading this book. How interesting this story is to me. I have read dozens of books and seen many films about WWII. I have read books written by Germans, Russians, Italian, Jewish, you name it. None of them were like this though. I felt like I know Tilli and share her sorrows and fears and joys. It has made me talk with my grandchildren about how lucky we all are – even in this age of seemingly unhappy people who can never get enough.
I am proud of Tilli for doing what she did, leaving her home to make a new one. I hope she has had much joy here in America. She did the right thing, because it was right for her.
~Sandy Briggs, Elkhart, IN
Loved, loved your wonderful book!
I found it so interesting to read about, from your perspective, the effects of WW2 on a family that was not Jewish. I don't think it is realized what non-Jews went through during this time.
Your courage and determination is to be admired, as well as your friends and family. Your mother was an incredible woman who raised an equally brave daughter.
Thank you for sharing your story.
~Susan Orenstein, Atlanta, Georgia
Tilli's Story Will Stick With You—blog post by MinnesotaTransplant, 3/29/11
The overt story is about a girl who grew up in East Germany during World War II and the country's subsequent occupation by the Soviet Union, but the underlying story is about the strength of women.
"Tilli's Story: My Thoughts are Free" by Lorna Collier and Tilli Schulze tells how Schulze drew up on a farm southwest of Berlin, first under the rule of the Nazis and then the Soviets. She escaped to West Germany in 1950 only to languish in a battle of paperwork before emigrating to the United States.
This is a different story about Germany in World War II than has been told in the popular media. It is not about Adolf Hitler, the extermination of the Jews or America's triumph -- it is about an ordinary farm family caught in the crossfire of politics.
As one might expect from a war-era story, much of the story revolves around soldiers, bombs, war atrocities and fear, but at its heart, Schulze tells how education and her mother's love gave her hope and ultimately led her to freedom. The story begins and ends with the courage and quiet defiance of her mother in the face of a philandering husband and more than one oppressive government. One strong woman raises a daughter to be another strong woman.
-- MinnesotaTransplant Monica Lee. (Thanks, Monica!)
If anyone has comments or questions, please feel free to email me at comments@mythoughtsarefree.com.
August 11, 2016
If you read a lot of books about World War II, then you know that most survivor stories are written by Jewish authors and I'm always amazed by their stories of their strength and hope during terror. "Tilli's Story" was told to the author Lorna Collier by Tilli, a German girl who grew up in a small town in East Germany. Her story was riveting and a story that I won't soon forget. Interesting to me Tillis is still alive, living in Illinois and she had a kidney transplant a few years ago. If you enjoy reads of this nature, I would highly recommend "Tilli's Story".
September 1, 2012
Life for many Germans wasn't great during WWII and especially if you lived in East Germany, later controlled by the Russians. Tilli claims that her story is her own, no more or less terrible than any other person who lived during this time.
Her love of America and its freedoms inspire as well as helping readers to understand that not all Germans were Nazis.
Her love of America and its freedoms inspire as well as helping readers to understand that not all Germans were Nazis.
July 21, 2013
This was so enjoyable, not just because these two women live so close to where I do, but because it is a personal look into the life of a German girl child during World War 2, how regime changes cause so much damage...seen and unseen.
February 20, 2014
I loved this book and it was very touching especially the fact that it was a true story. I loved Tilli's ambition and that she didn't let anybody hold her back from getting away from her nightmares and fears.
May 26, 2014
Such an amazing story, there was so much heartache and joy. There were a lot of emotions and I felt all of them. I'm glad Tilli made and is living in my hometown! Great and amazing story. This is a must read!
July 29, 2014
4.5 stars. Great true story!
February 21, 2025
Tilli Horn, a five-year-old farm girl from a small village in eastern Germany, faced challenges during World War II. Her family opposed Hitler's Nazi Party but were unable to rebel. Tilli was forced to join a Hitler Youth group and take part in Nazi propaganda. She experienced air-raid drills, bombings, and constant fear as the war intensified. After the war, Russian soldiers invaded Tilli's village, causing her and other girls to hide in a cramped attic for months to avoid assault. These experiences shed light on the life of rural German children like Tilli under Hitler and Stalin's rule. Tilli's memoir tells the story of her struggle for freedom in a restricted environment.
I obtained this book by participating in a "blind date with a book" event at my local library. What caught my interest was that it focused on a rural German family during WWII, rather than the typical narrative of Jews under Hitler's rule. Tilli and her family experienced firsthand the drastic changes in Germany under Nazi control. Despite their opposition to the Nazi Party, they were compelled to comply in order to stay alive. The aftermath of the war, with the Russian occupation, was a shocking revelation for me as I had little knowledge of this aspect of history. Witnessing the parallels between past and present events left me feeling disturbed. This authentic account portrayed the resilience, determination, and love that helped Tilli survive and achieve her dream of moving to America. I would recommend this book to those seeking a unique perspective on WWII.
I obtained this book by participating in a "blind date with a book" event at my local library. What caught my interest was that it focused on a rural German family during WWII, rather than the typical narrative of Jews under Hitler's rule. Tilli and her family experienced firsthand the drastic changes in Germany under Nazi control. Despite their opposition to the Nazi Party, they were compelled to comply in order to stay alive. The aftermath of the war, with the Russian occupation, was a shocking revelation for me as I had little knowledge of this aspect of history. Witnessing the parallels between past and present events left me feeling disturbed. This authentic account portrayed the resilience, determination, and love that helped Tilli survive and achieve her dream of moving to America. I would recommend this book to those seeking a unique perspective on WWII.
August 4, 2017
I found this book to be a riveting memoir about a young girl's life during World War II and Communist Germany, and her dream of moving to America. It is from the perspective of a normal girl's life and how it was affected by the horrors of war and its aftermath. I couldn't put this book down, and ultimately it is a story of horror, grief, loss, war, but most of all, hope.
August 21, 2025
Hidden in the Attic is Tilli Horn’s gripping memoir of growing up in rural eastern Germany during World War II. From forced participation in Hitler Youth to hiding from invading Russian soldiers in a cramped attic, Tilli’s story reveals the courage, fear, and resilience of ordinary children living under oppressive regimes. A compelling account for teens and adults alike.
December 29, 2024
Such a beautifully written and important book to understand what the war and post war years were like for East Germans.
September 25, 2012
Excellent perspective of WWII from the view of the rural German people.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews