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The Enemy's Daughter
In the spirit of Lauren Wolk and Ruta Sepetys comes the tale of a girl fighting her way back home after surviving the sinking of the Lusitania—and learning to think for herself rather than accept the prejudice of wartime.
The year is 1915 and the world is at war. Marta and her father are passengers on the Lusitania, desperately trying to get back home to Germany. While aboard, they must keep their identities hidden or risk being mistaken for enemy spies. Then the Lusitania is attacked by a German submarine. They just make it off the sinking ship, but her father is discovered and detained. Marta suddenly finds herself alone in enemy land.
To survive, Marta must draw upon a deep well of bravery she never knew she had. Fortunately, she meets Clare, a young Irish girl who can talk a mile a minute, and her kind family. Believing that Marta is a Dutch refugee, they welcome her into their home. She can't risk letting her new friends know she's actually from Germany—the very nation that the Irish and English are fighting against. But could these people who have shown her nothing but kindness truly be her enemy?
Sweeping from the Irish Sea to a cathedral city in England, this story shows us that friendship, especially in times of war, may be the greatest gift of all.
The year is 1915 and the world is at war. Marta and her father are passengers on the Lusitania, desperately trying to get back home to Germany. While aboard, they must keep their identities hidden or risk being mistaken for enemy spies. Then the Lusitania is attacked by a German submarine. They just make it off the sinking ship, but her father is discovered and detained. Marta suddenly finds herself alone in enemy land.
To survive, Marta must draw upon a deep well of bravery she never knew she had. Fortunately, she meets Clare, a young Irish girl who can talk a mile a minute, and her kind family. Believing that Marta is a Dutch refugee, they welcome her into their home. She can't risk letting her new friends know she's actually from Germany—the very nation that the Irish and English are fighting against. But could these people who have shown her nothing but kindness truly be her enemy?
Sweeping from the Irish Sea to a cathedral city in England, this story shows us that friendship, especially in times of war, may be the greatest gift of all.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published February 18, 2025
25 people are currently reading
3426 people want to read
About the author
Anne Blankman
5 books696 followersAnne Blankman may have been meant to be a writer because her parents named her for Anne of Green Gables. She grew up in an old house with gables (gray, unfortunately) in upstate New York. When she wasn't writing or reading, she was rowing on the crew team, taking ballet lessons, fencing and swimming. She graduated from Union College with degrees in English and history, which comes in handy when she writes historical fiction.
After earning a master's degree in information science, Anne began working as a youth services librarian. Currently, she lives in southeastern Virginia with her family. When she's not writing young adult fiction, she's playing with her daughter, training for races with her husband, working at her amazing library branch, learning to knit (badly), and reading.
Anne Blankman is the author of PRISONER OF NIGHT AND FOG, the first in a three-book deal slated for publication in spring 2014 from Balzer + Bray | HarperCollins. She is represented by Tracey Adams of Adams Literary.
After earning a master's degree in information science, Anne began working as a youth services librarian. Currently, she lives in southeastern Virginia with her family. When she's not writing young adult fiction, she's playing with her daughter, training for races with her husband, working at her amazing library branch, learning to knit (badly), and reading.
Anne Blankman is the author of PRISONER OF NIGHT AND FOG, the first in a three-book deal slated for publication in spring 2014 from Balzer + Bray | HarperCollins. She is represented by Tracey Adams of Adams Literary.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
February 24, 2025
Unfortunately, this was a bit formulaic (like Jennifer A. Nielsen books) and at least a couple hours too long. A fair introduction to WW1 history though, which there are very few middle grade books about. The focus of the history leans toward the personal side of war, rather than political.
Girls with an interest in historical fiction are most likely to enjoy this, but due to the length I’m reluctant to broadly recommend. Adult readers will find it tedious and far-fetched.
I appreciate books that pack history into an exciting story for kids, but this one just doesn’t get the balance right.
Girls with an interest in historical fiction are most likely to enjoy this, but due to the length I’m reluctant to broadly recommend. Adult readers will find it tedious and far-fetched.
I appreciate books that pack history into an exciting story for kids, but this one just doesn’t get the balance right.
March 15, 2025
I was a little confused about why the author chose to format the story this way. The first 50 pages were riveting, but then it slows down and I think the story would be more exciting for kids if the page count was spent more on Marta surviving the Lusitania and then getting back to Germany rather than spending so much time in a holding pattern figuring things out in London.
So, it's a little hard to rate because parts of it were great, and others not so much. I'm still going to try to sell it to kids that liked the I Survived books, and we'll see how that goes!
So, it's a little hard to rate because parts of it were great, and others not so much. I'm still going to try to sell it to kids that liked the I Survived books, and we'll see how that goes!
March 14, 2025
Anne Blankman is a solid hit for me with her middlegrade Historical fiction! Loved her "Blackbird Girls" a few years back and "The Enemy's Daughter" was just as impactful.
We open on German-born Marta and her father, who are just seeking safe passage home to Germany as they have been displaced in the US visiting family in the early days of WWI. So, they board the Lusitania to journey home... and the unthinkable happens. A rogue German U Boat attacks this merchant ship carrying thousands of innocent lives, and in the chaos & aftermath of the attach, Marta and her father are separated, but thankfully, both survive this harrowing ordeal. But, in the days following the accident, Marta's father is identified as an enemy and taken into custody as part of the investigation. So, Marta finds herself alone in an enemy's land, that is until she somehow meets Clare, a young Irish refugee living in England. Clare and Marta immediately form a bond and Clare's family is nothing but kind, helpful, and merciful, taking Marta in, a young girl that they believe is a Dutch refugee that survived the Lusitania disaster... at least part of her story is true. They vow to shelter her and care for her and aid her in returning home to her Mother.
This story is a magical story about the power of friendship, especially in difficult times, and how that's the most incredible gift of all! It also begs the question of 'what makes an enemy?' and 'who is your enemy?'
This was an utter delight & close to perfection. 5 shining stars from this reader!
We open on German-born Marta and her father, who are just seeking safe passage home to Germany as they have been displaced in the US visiting family in the early days of WWI. So, they board the Lusitania to journey home... and the unthinkable happens. A rogue German U Boat attacks this merchant ship carrying thousands of innocent lives, and in the chaos & aftermath of the attach, Marta and her father are separated, but thankfully, both survive this harrowing ordeal. But, in the days following the accident, Marta's father is identified as an enemy and taken into custody as part of the investigation. So, Marta finds herself alone in an enemy's land, that is until she somehow meets Clare, a young Irish refugee living in England. Clare and Marta immediately form a bond and Clare's family is nothing but kind, helpful, and merciful, taking Marta in, a young girl that they believe is a Dutch refugee that survived the Lusitania disaster... at least part of her story is true. They vow to shelter her and care for her and aid her in returning home to her Mother.
This story is a magical story about the power of friendship, especially in difficult times, and how that's the most incredible gift of all! It also begs the question of 'what makes an enemy?' and 'who is your enemy?'
This was an utter delight & close to perfection. 5 shining stars from this reader!
June 3, 2025
If this book had been around when I was 11 or 12 years old, I would have devoured it! Then I would have continued reading any other books about the Luisitania I found!
Such a wonderfully suspenseful, well-written book for middle-grade readers, but guaranteed to hook historical fiction lovers of all ages. The themes of love, true friendship and courage are present. Even more importantly, the author did a masterful job of showing what damage that hate and prejudice can cause if left unchecked. Though the setting was 1915, this novel covers issues that are very timely in today’s world.
*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*
Such a wonderfully suspenseful, well-written book for middle-grade readers, but guaranteed to hook historical fiction lovers of all ages. The themes of love, true friendship and courage are present. Even more importantly, the author did a masterful job of showing what damage that hate and prejudice can cause if left unchecked. Though the setting was 1915, this novel covers issues that are very timely in today’s world.
*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*
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October 13, 2024School Library Journal review title. See that publication for my review!
March 25, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ middle grade historical fiction WW1. I really like the first half of the book. The second half dragged on a bit for me.
April 13, 2025
3.5 stars. The Blackbird Girls was a more nuanced book, but that aside, this was a similarly enjoyable read.
April 29, 2025
Great juvenile fiction (though at times repetitive) and audiobook is well-done.
November 10, 2025
loved it but it is also sad 🥺 but sweet 🥹
April 12, 2025
This started out exciting but the plot slowed to a grinding halt, The girls on the cover look kind of like creepy dolls. Will not purchase, though I would like more books written about WWI.
October 25, 2025
⭐️⭐⭐ ️️½ (3.5 stars)
The Enemy’s Daughter by Anne Blankman begins with an immediate sense of danger and urgency that pulls you right in. The story opens aboard the Lusitania, where Marta and her father, both Germans, find themselves in peril as the ship meets its tragic fate. From the very first pages, the tension is gripping, and you can’t help but wonder whether they will ever be reunited after the chaos that unfolds.
What stands out most is Marta’s emotional journey. Her friendship with Clare is heartfelt and genuine, showing how compassion can bridge divides even in the midst of wartime prejudice. Through Clare and her family, Marta begins to see people in a new light, challenging her own assumptions and grief. Blankman captures Marta’s inner turmoil beautifully, where you truly feel her longing for her parents and the confusion of being caught between two worlds.
The historical setting of World War I is well-portrayed, with enough realism and intensity to spark curiosity in young readers who might want to learn more about the era. There are also a few tense and dramatic moments, especially involving characters like Mr. Evans, that keep the plot moving.
However, the pacing slows considerably in the middle, with several chapters focused on reflection rather than action. While this deepens Marta’s character, it also causes the story to lose momentum. The ending, too, feels somewhat abrupt; while open endings can be powerful, this one leaves you wanting just a bit more closure. And though the cover is striking, it doesn’t quite match the warmth of Marta and Clare’s friendship.
Overall, The Enemy’s Daughter is a touching and thoughtful middle-grade historical novel that explores empathy and courage, even if it leaves a few loose ends untied.
The Enemy’s Daughter by Anne Blankman begins with an immediate sense of danger and urgency that pulls you right in. The story opens aboard the Lusitania, where Marta and her father, both Germans, find themselves in peril as the ship meets its tragic fate. From the very first pages, the tension is gripping, and you can’t help but wonder whether they will ever be reunited after the chaos that unfolds.
What stands out most is Marta’s emotional journey. Her friendship with Clare is heartfelt and genuine, showing how compassion can bridge divides even in the midst of wartime prejudice. Through Clare and her family, Marta begins to see people in a new light, challenging her own assumptions and grief. Blankman captures Marta’s inner turmoil beautifully, where you truly feel her longing for her parents and the confusion of being caught between two worlds.
The historical setting of World War I is well-portrayed, with enough realism and intensity to spark curiosity in young readers who might want to learn more about the era. There are also a few tense and dramatic moments, especially involving characters like Mr. Evans, that keep the plot moving.
However, the pacing slows considerably in the middle, with several chapters focused on reflection rather than action. While this deepens Marta’s character, it also causes the story to lose momentum. The ending, too, feels somewhat abrupt; while open endings can be powerful, this one leaves you wanting just a bit more closure. And though the cover is striking, it doesn’t quite match the warmth of Marta and Clare’s friendship.
Overall, The Enemy’s Daughter is a touching and thoughtful middle-grade historical novel that explores empathy and courage, even if it leaves a few loose ends untied.
April 4, 2025
First sentence: Marta leaned back against the ship's railing as far as she could go without falling over the side.
Premise/plot: Marta and her father are Germans aboard the Lusitania--secretly. Though not spies, they know that using their own papers to travel would be problematic--to say the least. They had been in America visiting family and now with the war--World War I--they are having difficulty traveling back safely. The sinking of the ship coincides with their discovery. Soon, Marta finds herself in England on her own. Her father is imprisoned and/or detained. Somewhere. She has no way of knowing where he is or what steps to take to find out where. Essentially on her own in a foreign country with whom she has some biases. Germany and England are at war after all. Germany is right all the time, isn't it? So what's a girl to do to survive without her identity becoming known?
My thoughts: I wanted to love this one. I did. I wanted to feel swept up, up, and away. I wanted to feel it to be an incredibly compelling stories where I cared deeply about the characters. And there is a chance--since reading is subjective--that it may be exactly that for another reader. I felt strangely detached from the characters and the story. I don't know if it was all me or if the book perhaps is more tell than show. (As opposed to more show than tell). One thing I can still appreciate is that Marta's friendship comes through a shared love of books. With that I can relate 100%. Books can build bridges across cultures, etc. And a shared love of specific stories can help encourage friendship to bloom.
Premise/plot: Marta and her father are Germans aboard the Lusitania--secretly. Though not spies, they know that using their own papers to travel would be problematic--to say the least. They had been in America visiting family and now with the war--World War I--they are having difficulty traveling back safely. The sinking of the ship coincides with their discovery. Soon, Marta finds herself in England on her own. Her father is imprisoned and/or detained. Somewhere. She has no way of knowing where he is or what steps to take to find out where. Essentially on her own in a foreign country with whom she has some biases. Germany and England are at war after all. Germany is right all the time, isn't it? So what's a girl to do to survive without her identity becoming known?
My thoughts: I wanted to love this one. I did. I wanted to feel swept up, up, and away. I wanted to feel it to be an incredibly compelling stories where I cared deeply about the characters. And there is a chance--since reading is subjective--that it may be exactly that for another reader. I felt strangely detached from the characters and the story. I don't know if it was all me or if the book perhaps is more tell than show. (As opposed to more show than tell). One thing I can still appreciate is that Marta's friendship comes through a shared love of books. With that I can relate 100%. Books can build bridges across cultures, etc. And a shared love of specific stories can help encourage friendship to bloom.
October 6, 2025
The Enemy's Daughter is an excellent historical fiction that takes place in 1915, during World War I. We follow the story of Marta, a young German girl traveling home with her father on the cruise ship Lusitania. War has broken out while she and her father were away in New York, and now they must get home to her mother and brother. They must hide their identities because the hatred of Germans is enormous, and it is unlawful for them to travel on an English ship. Marta's gift for foreign languages and accents comes in very handy ... she is able to fool most of the people she meets into thinking she is an American, or a girl from the Netherlands.
When the ship is blown up by German forces, Marta and her father must survive. In gripping scenes that evoke scenes from a movie, Marta and her father manage to survive, ending up in Ireland. Then they are separated, and Marta must figure out what to do next in order to survive, find her father, and get home to Berlin.
The writing is excellent, with breath-taking action scenes as well as very convincing internal conversations that Marta has with herself.
The writer paints a very clear picture of life for Marta, as she goes about her days pretending to be Dutch and taking refuge with a kind Irish family. She lives in constant fear of being discovered to be German, and this fear is very palpably described by Blankman. We are with Martha all the way, and at the end, we are shown that love and friendship must prevail over war and national strife. This is a must-have for middle schools and is an enjoyable read even for adults. Highly recommended.
When the ship is blown up by German forces, Marta and her father must survive. In gripping scenes that evoke scenes from a movie, Marta and her father manage to survive, ending up in Ireland. Then they are separated, and Marta must figure out what to do next in order to survive, find her father, and get home to Berlin.
The writing is excellent, with breath-taking action scenes as well as very convincing internal conversations that Marta has with herself.
The writer paints a very clear picture of life for Marta, as she goes about her days pretending to be Dutch and taking refuge with a kind Irish family. She lives in constant fear of being discovered to be German, and this fear is very palpably described by Blankman. We are with Martha all the way, and at the end, we are shown that love and friendship must prevail over war and national strife. This is a must-have for middle schools and is an enjoyable read even for adults. Highly recommended.
April 29, 2025
BOOK REVIEW: “The Enemy’s Daughter” by Anne Blankman
It’s 1915 and Marta and her father are passengers on the Lusitania, heading home to Germany from America. It’s the middle of World War 1 and people don’t take too kindly to Germans even if they’re innocent civilians. Marta and her father have to forge papers to get back home, and have to keep a low profile for the entire trip. While aboard, the Lusitania is attacked by a German submarine, causing the ship to sink. They make it off the ship, but unfortunately Marta’s father is arrested, and she’s left to fend for herself in a country where she knows no one. She meets Clare, a young Irish girl, and is invited to stay in her home. Marta can’t possibly tell her the truth about who she is. Even Clare’s family hates the Germans. They show her such love and care, so is it possible they are not really her enemies?
So much to unpack in this little book! I think my favorite part of the book is the childlike wonder through Marta’s eyes. She believes that the Germans are good people and they’d never actually hurt anyone. It must be the English who are bad, right?
I love how the author helps readers to realize that not everyone is all good or bad. Just because there are bad people in your country, doesn’t mean everyone is bad. In the midst of all of those horrible people, there are thousands of honest, loving people. We shouldn’t judge people based on their looks or their here they’re from.
I think this book was very well done and an excellent history book for middle schoolers. I rate this book as 5 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It’s 1915 and Marta and her father are passengers on the Lusitania, heading home to Germany from America. It’s the middle of World War 1 and people don’t take too kindly to Germans even if they’re innocent civilians. Marta and her father have to forge papers to get back home, and have to keep a low profile for the entire trip. While aboard, the Lusitania is attacked by a German submarine, causing the ship to sink. They make it off the ship, but unfortunately Marta’s father is arrested, and she’s left to fend for herself in a country where she knows no one. She meets Clare, a young Irish girl, and is invited to stay in her home. Marta can’t possibly tell her the truth about who she is. Even Clare’s family hates the Germans. They show her such love and care, so is it possible they are not really her enemies?
So much to unpack in this little book! I think my favorite part of the book is the childlike wonder through Marta’s eyes. She believes that the Germans are good people and they’d never actually hurt anyone. It must be the English who are bad, right?
I love how the author helps readers to realize that not everyone is all good or bad. Just because there are bad people in your country, doesn’t mean everyone is bad. In the midst of all of those horrible people, there are thousands of honest, loving people. We shouldn’t judge people based on their looks or their here they’re from.
I think this book was very well done and an excellent history book for middle schoolers. I rate this book as 5 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 18, 2025
Set in 1915, Marta and her father are passengers aboard the Lusitania, trying to hide their German identities as the attempt to travel home. When the ship is attacked, they manage to escape the ship only for Marta's father to be arrested as aa spy.
Now alone in the unfamiliar country of Great Britain, Marta must find her father and a way home.
Posing as Dutch girl, she meets Irish girl Clare and her family forms a friendship. But they can never discover her true identity. As she begins to get know her new friends and their home, everything she thought about the war begins to shift. And she discovers maybe both sides are just people.
The Enemy's Daughter is everything I've come to expect from Anne Blankman. She is a talented writer who can take a piece of history and weave an unforgettable story.
As always, Blankman has created a historical masterpiece that packs and emotional punch. This incredible tribute to World War I is truly something special.
Thank you to Anne Blankman, VIking Books, and Netgalley!
(This book was provided to me via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.)
Now alone in the unfamiliar country of Great Britain, Marta must find her father and a way home.
Posing as Dutch girl, she meets Irish girl Clare and her family forms a friendship. But they can never discover her true identity. As she begins to get know her new friends and their home, everything she thought about the war begins to shift. And she discovers maybe both sides are just people.
The Enemy's Daughter is everything I've come to expect from Anne Blankman. She is a talented writer who can take a piece of history and weave an unforgettable story.
As always, Blankman has created a historical masterpiece that packs and emotional punch. This incredible tribute to World War I is truly something special.
Thank you to Anne Blankman, VIking Books, and Netgalley!
(This book was provided to me via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.)
May 20, 2025
In THE ENEMY’S DAUGHTER, on the Lusitania with her father returning home to Germany, Marta survives the bombing of the ship, but she finds herself alone in an unfamiliar country after her father is arrested. Forced to fend for herself, Marta befriends Clare, an Irish girl whose family takes her in. While she carefully hides her German identity, she begins to question her own beliefs about those she has considered to be her enemies.
Courtesy of the events on the Lusitania, the author has created an intense opening that draws readers into the story and sets the stage for Marta to grapple with her ideas about hate and prejudice. Marta’s unlikely friendship with Clare provides the character with opportunities to explore a different perspective and highlights the internal conflict and confusion she feels as she experiences great kindness from people who she believes she should dislike. With themes of bravery and friendship paired with a tension filled narrative, this will interest fans of wartime historical fiction stories.
Courtesy of the events on the Lusitania, the author has created an intense opening that draws readers into the story and sets the stage for Marta to grapple with her ideas about hate and prejudice. Marta’s unlikely friendship with Clare provides the character with opportunities to explore a different perspective and highlights the internal conflict and confusion she feels as she experiences great kindness from people who she believes she should dislike. With themes of bravery and friendship paired with a tension filled narrative, this will interest fans of wartime historical fiction stories.
October 19, 2025
Although Marta and her father miraculously survive the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915, their troubles are only just beginning. As German citizens, they're suspected of somehow sabotaging the ship, since their country is at war with Britain. With Marta's father in custody, she finds herself alone in England, trying to make her way to neutral Holland and then back to Germany. When a kind Irish family takes her in and helps her get a job, she wonders if it's possible to be friends with people when your countries are at war. Will she be able to save enough money to leave the country before her secret is discovered?
This is an interesting look at a significant event of WWI through a child's perspective. It's also a good introduction to nationalism and what it means to be prejudiced against whole groups of people based on the actions of their government.
This is an interesting look at a significant event of WWI through a child's perspective. It's also a good introduction to nationalism and what it means to be prejudiced against whole groups of people based on the actions of their government.
April 4, 2025
I've read a lot about World War I and World War II and I've always been fascinated by the Titanic, but I haven't read much about the Lusitania. I felt like I learned a lot about that period in history and how difficult it was to not categorize the other side as the enemy -- even when it came to children. I loved the friendship between Clare and Marta, and I think it serves as a great lesson to young readers that you can't hate someone for something they can't change. I think this lesson can be applied in the current climate we are living in because there is so much hate towards minorities and immigrants. At the end of the day, everyone is just trying their best. Hating someone for their race/nationality is never fair.
April 26, 2025
Hmmm....lots of interesting historical tidbits about the Lusitania, and the city of York during WWI. And I did love the references to Anne of Green Gables. Still, the plot line, and all the deception was too contrived. It all seemed far-fetched for the character's ages, but educational until the story trails off into an annoying non-ending. So did Marta get back to Germany?? What happened to her father and brother? What about Clare's family? Did the girls reunite after the war? Definitely needs a short afterward.
May 3, 2025
This historical novel looks at the aftermath of the sinking of the Lusitania through the eyes of a German girl trapped in England. Blankman uses this device to open up conversations about the causes and effects of war.
I have some quibbles with the pacing - the middle moves a bit slowly for me, and I would have liked a bit more breath in the last section. But an excellent addition to middle grade historical fiction. Not many books about this time period - might make a nice pairing with Winnie's Great War by Lindsay Mattick.
I have some quibbles with the pacing - the middle moves a bit slowly for me, and I would have liked a bit more breath in the last section. But an excellent addition to middle grade historical fiction. Not many books about this time period - might make a nice pairing with Winnie's Great War by Lindsay Mattick.
May 30, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Hard to say how this will hit for a middle grade reader. I am not a librarian, teacher or bookseller or parent of a young reader. I don’t have any insight into reading taste of current young readers. For this adult reader, this just didn’t have the same impact as the Blackbird Girls.
Started strong with plenty of excitement but then moved slowly in the second half. More time on the ship or the immediate aftermath would have been interesting for this reader rather than time having the little girl try to get home.
This covered an important time period and an interesting historical event. So much fiction is set in WWII. A book about WWI is a refreshing change. Also a time period that is relevant and often forgotten. ALso shows young readers the fear and prejudice that countries had about their own citizens with German background.Internment camps existed because of this prejudice. Some good lessons for discussion with young readers.
As with the author’s other books, this had a strong female character . Loved the friendship that developed between the two girls.
Hard to say how this will hit for a middle grade reader. I am not a librarian, teacher or bookseller or parent of a young reader. I don’t have any insight into reading taste of current young readers. For this adult reader, this just didn’t have the same impact as the Blackbird Girls.
Started strong with plenty of excitement but then moved slowly in the second half. More time on the ship or the immediate aftermath would have been interesting for this reader rather than time having the little girl try to get home.
This covered an important time period and an interesting historical event. So much fiction is set in WWII. A book about WWI is a refreshing change. Also a time period that is relevant and often forgotten. ALso shows young readers the fear and prejudice that countries had about their own citizens with German background.Internment camps existed because of this prejudice. Some good lessons for discussion with young readers.
As with the author’s other books, this had a strong female character . Loved the friendship that developed between the two girls.
June 7, 2025
Another excellent tale of two girls who are on opposite sides, this one set against the backdrop of the Great War, and it starts as one of the girls is a passenger on the Lusitania! A lot of thought about enemies: Marta, a German girl, finds herself alone in England, trying to get herself home. She ends up being taken in by an Irish family whose father is fighting in the war. They treat her well (believing she is Dutch), and she has to reconcile their kindness while being surrounded by the enemy and hearing the Germans disparaged at every turn.
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August 18, 2025Hey there! This is Charlie P! I’m eleven years old and I read books to raise money for charity. I want to help moms pick out books that their kids will like! Here is another review by me!
This book is a historical fiction book and I think this book is absolutely fantastic! The first part of the boom is quite scary but the book keeps you gripped as you keep on going! I would say people who like historic events would like this book because it pits you in another point of view I bet you never thought of!
This book is a historical fiction book and I think this book is absolutely fantastic! The first part of the boom is quite scary but the book keeps you gripped as you keep on going! I would say people who like historic events would like this book because it pits you in another point of view I bet you never thought of!
October 16, 2024
The Enemy's Daughter is a lovely book about learning to think for yourself. It's 1915 and 12 year old Marta and her father are headed back home to Germany amidst the war. But they just happen to be on the Lusitania when it sinks and are separated. They're discovered to be German and Marta's father is arrested, leaving her on her own. Through Marta's journey, she discovers that you can't judge an entire people based on the actions of a few.
April 23, 2025
This book was extremely tiresome. It was too long and so unbelievable. The main character bugged and the characters in the story were very one dimensional. The most annoying part of the book was realizing an hour from being over that there was no way it was going you wrap up and was clearly going to be a series.
Marta is on the Lusitania when it is sunk. She is German and is pretending to be her American cousin so she can return to Germany.
Marta is on the Lusitania when it is sunk. She is German and is pretending to be her American cousin so she can return to Germany.
December 4, 2025
Good middle grade read for fans of Jennifer Nielson (A Night Divided). Historical fiction featuring a young girl during war time, with a focus on personal impacts of war, rather than a political or battlefield focus and the additional element of what one of my middle school readers calls "friendship issues." Gets a little slow through the middle, but solid read and probably a good author rec for fans of this type of historical fiction.
January 23, 2025
Magnificent novel - a great pleasure to read. Review to come on my next day off from the Data Mines.
Short version: a First World War story with a resourceful main character who survived the sinking of the Lusitania.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Short version: a First World War story with a resourceful main character who survived the sinking of the Lusitania.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 21, 2025
I was bawling my eyes out at the end of this sweet story of friendship overcoming prejudice.
Also very interesting history about the sinking of the Lusitania and WWI.
I think this is appropriate for young ages interested in history as nothing is graphically described, although there is certainly a lot of loss.
Also very interesting history about the sinking of the Lusitania and WWI.
I think this is appropriate for young ages interested in history as nothing is graphically described, although there is certainly a lot of loss.
June 30, 2025
3.75 -4 stars
MG
Historical fiction
1915, WWI
Marta and her father are trying to return to Germany and are aboard the Lusitania when it is attacked and sunk by a German submarine, when Marta finds herself alone and forced to figure out how to survive despite that she is now considered the enemy's daughter.
MG
Historical fiction
1915, WWI
Marta and her father are trying to return to Germany and are aboard the Lusitania when it is attacked and sunk by a German submarine, when Marta finds herself alone and forced to figure out how to survive despite that she is now considered the enemy's daughter.
September 1, 2025
3.5 Interesting middle grade WW1 story that begins on the Lusitania but spends the majority of the story in England. It was thought provoking as the main character wrestled with love for her native country in contrast with the experiences she had while in the 'enemy' country. I enjoyed the themes of friendship and a shared love of literature. I would have loved to have a more detailed epilogue!
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