Running for Shelter: A True Story

by Suzette Sheft

Vienna, late 1930s. Bright, red-headed Inge Eisenger leads a privileged life with her glamorous, distant mother. When forced to flee from Nazi-occupied Austria to Switzerland, Inge sees her young life turned upside down. She hopes to finally connect with her mother during their escape, but her mother soon abandons her. Vulnerable and alone, Inge makes her way to Paris before reuniting with her grandmother in Central France. But even there, Inge endures one hardship after another—all while her grandmother keeps a family secret that, if revealed, could result in their whole family’s demise. Running for Shelter is written by Inge’s 15-year-old granddaughter, Suzette Sheft. The gripping, true story offers a window through which young adult readers can witness the challenges of growing up during the Holocaust. As this important chapter of history fades from living memory, Inge’s tale offers hope to a new generation who must also cultivate courage and determination in the face of personal and political challenges.

Genres: Holocaust, Nonfiction

273 pages, ebook

Published November 9, 2022

Reviews

[Leeann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly I would like to thank Hidden Gems Books for granting me an ARC copy of this book! I always appreciate receiving them.

I was excited to read this book, it’s been a while since i’ve read a based on a true story book! This book goes into amazing detail of a family living through the holocaust. It such an educated read and I love at the end the book also has pictures and resources to other books about the holocaust. This book was started by a 13 year old which I never would have guessed! The writing is amazing. This story also brought to live a perspective of a Jewish girl, not knowing she was Jewish living through the holocaust and also the perspective of a parent trying to hide the true horrors from a young child. This book is an amazing read in and out and I’m so glad I was able to read it!

[Hope Lourie · Rating 5 out of 5]

At one point during this riveting read, I wanted to doublecheck whether something momentous had occurred on a given day. (The date and place are noted at the beginning of each chapter: a most helpful benchmark for author and reader, alike.)

As I was on the cusp of checking—mostly to steel myself against what might come next—I stopped, realizing the importance of hearing any such news from the protagonist, Inge, herself. What’s more, it struck me that I—a reader in the comfort of home—the very kind of shelter Inge sought—had no right to shield myself from the shattering shards of history she faced—strands impeccably woven by an extraordinary writer: Suzette Sheft.

[Michael C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly lovely and moving story of a child's struggle to survive the hardships of loneliness and deprivation. The young author writes with compassion, insight, and awareness way beyond her years.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Amsterdam Publishers for choosing me!

This book tells the harrowing story of Inge, a young girl forced from her home in order to survive a cruel, unnecessary war. Her family torn apart, with no assurance that they'd be reunited. She lives through abuse, hunger, possible homelessness, and even so, she forges friendships with those surrounding her. She finds the strength to keep going in the face of awful situations and is then reunited with her family.

Suzette Sheft has a great talent for writing. Although this story is plagued with pain and heartbreak, she writes it with poise and strength. It's definitely worth the time to read and learn a little bit about the struggles faced by so many people during such a dark time in history. Above all, it will leave you full of hope for humanity because of people like Inge who somehow manage to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

[Debbie Trammell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story

This young author has told a beautiful story of her grandmother, greatgrandmother, uncle. The story is very rich and tells a completely different side of the holocaust. There is maybe only a small group of people who were not greatly affected by W W 2 in different ways and degrees. May God bless all these survivors and their families. And may we all pray without ceasing for freedom and equality of all peoples. I highly recommend this story.

[K. Lang-Slattery · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by a teenager, the writing needs to be polished, the plot better organized, and the main character's dialogue is often too grown-up for a ten-year-old. However, the story is interesting. A spoiled rich girl and her neglectful mother flee Austria. Deserted by her mother, Ilse is passed from one adult to another, and from Switzerland to Paris, where she is reunited with her loving grandmother. Together they move to a small French country village where most of the plot takes place. From there the story devolves, as many Holocaust stories must, into episodes of privation and hardship. The characters hide their Jewish identity (the girl is totally unaware of it until the end of the war) so Jewish arrests, etc. are only side stories. The author, considering her age, has done a splendid job of telling her grandmother's WWII experiences and showing how Ilse changes from a spoiled little girl into a responsible and caring teen. However, the book is not the best read; adult level editing would help it immensely.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written, insightful story written by the actual main character's 15 year old granddaughter. Written in a manner that the targeted young adult readers can witness and understand the challenges for people and their constant struggle to survive during the Nazi occupation and Holocaust. For me Inge became another word for perseverance!

[Jo Sorochinsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A privileged life in Vienna plummets to one on the run after being abandoned by her mother into the care of unknown, eventually much loved, relatives. Her Judaism unknown to her, the young heroine must survive in a world turned upside down. Her courage and resourcefulness shine throughout this engrossing tale. Highly recommend, especially for young readers.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by a 15 year old granddaughter...a true story of what she endured during the holocaust. I was impressed by her writing and her definitions of the terrible things she endured...a small but very powerful book!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book

This was a great book but I find myself with several unanswered questions. What happened to Inges mother? Did they reconnect once in America? Did her grandmother regain her health once she was safe in America?

[Dana Moore]

This was written for a younger audience which I knew. This is all the information I can withstand.

[Laurie Birrer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really good.

[Miriam Schoenig · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband and I were captivated by the story of a young girl, above all odds, surviving WWII Austria. Riveting story, really.

[Sophia Guinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4 stars exactly

[Zara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story, but it is for mature tweens and teens (and adults, of course).