--- product_id: 20004613 title: "The Girl From the Train" price: "€ 22.41" currency: EUR in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.at/products/20004613-the-girl-from-the-train store_origin: AT region: Austria --- # The Girl From the Train **Price:** € 22.41 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Girl From the Train - **How much does it cost?** € 22.41 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.at](https://www.desertcart.at/products/20004613-the-girl-from-the-train) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description Six-year-old Gretl Schmidt is on a train bound for Auschwitz. Jakób Kowalski is planting a bomb on the tracks. As World War II draws to a close, Jakób fights with the Polish resistance against the crushing forces of Germany and Russia. They intend to destroy a German troop transport, but Gretl’s unscheduled train reaches the bomb first. Gretl is the only survivor. Though spared from the concentration camp, the orphaned German Jew finds herself lost in a country hostile to her people. When Jakób discovers her, guilt and fatherly compassion prompt him to take her in. For three years, the young man and little girl form a bond over the secrets they must hide from his Catholic family. But she can’t stay with him forever. Jakób sends Gretl to South Africa, where German war orphans are promised bright futures with adoptive Protestant families—so long as Gretl’s Jewish roots, Catholic education, and connections to communist Poland are never discovered. Separated by continents, politics, religion, language, and years, Jakób and Gretl will likely never see each other again. But the events they have both survived and their belief that the human spirit can triumph over the ravages of war have formed a bond of love that no circumstances can overcome. Praise for The Girl from the Train : “A riveting read with an endearing, courageous protagonist . . . takes us from war-torn Poland to the veldt of South Africa in a story rich in love, loss, and the survival of the human spirit.” — Anne Easter Smith , author of A Rose for the Crown Full-length World War II historical novel International bestseller Includes a glossary Review: WILL LEAVE YOU WITH A QUESTION - THE GIRL FROM THE TRAIN isn't really a Holocaust book because it didn't jump into the much deeper happenings that the countries at that time had to deal with. It is where this book starts that tells us about 2 people who came together because of and during the war. Gretl Schmidt, age 6, had seen way too much cruelty in the world. At the start of World War II, she and her sister, Elza, jump from a train just before a bridge it is to be blown up. That train was filled with Jews and was on its way to Poland, where the concentration camps were. Gretl survives but her sister dies from her injuries. Gretl then finds herself in the care of a young freedom fighter and Polish Resistance member named Jakób Kowalski. Even though Jakób is 15 years older there is a strong bond and friendship that develops between them. Gretl looks to Jakób as a protector and defender. As the danger gets worse, Gretl is sent to South Africa where a new family adopts her. She can never forget about Jakób, her first childhood love. What will happen when the adult Gretl reunites with Jakób, who has also come to Africa for a new start? Will the bonds of childhood friendship remain or become more? This is a tale spanning 15 years and two continents with a World War thrown in to make for a much better story. For such a long period of time, the story is not exploited with a large cast. Only 2 characters, with a few others thrown in, makes the story more intimate. The story will surprise you but will never seem boring. At times I even found myself with tears in my eyes. I did however have to have an interpretation guide handy at all times. At some points I could find no meaning or explanation for some of the foreign words. If I had not had a way to translate some of the sentences I would have had a hard time in understanding parts of the story. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read an emotional yet uplifting tale set during World War II. Review: A Stunning Tale tat will leave you thinking about it long after the books last page is read . . . - At the tender age of six, Gretl has witnessed too much cruelty in this world. At the onset of World War II, she finds herself jumping along with her sister from a train just before the bridge it is about to cross is blow up. Gretl survives but her sister dies from her injuries. Little Gretl come’s into the care of a young freedom fighter and polish resistance member, . Jakób there is 13 years age difference, a strong bond and friendship develop and Gretl looks to as Jakób protector and defender. As the dark clouds of war decent down over Europe, this friendship provides one shining light in the midst of such darkness. As the danger escalates Gretl is sent across the world to South Africa, where a new family adopt her but she never forgets Jakób, her childhood love. What will happened when the adult Gretl reunites with Jakób, who has also come to Africa for a new start? Will the bonds of childhood friendship remain or something more? Author Irma Joubert weaves a tale spanning 15 years and two continents plus a World War thrown in for good measure. Yet somehow the time frame never feels jerky or rushed. Characters have time to be breathed fully into life and live within the pages. For such a long period of time, the story in not overburdened with a large cast number making it a more intimate story. I would recommend to anyone wanting to read a moving, emotional, but uplifting tale set during World War II. Gretl’s tale may surprise and delight but never bore. And the additional setting of South Africa gives the story a different back drop during the war than most books set in this time period. A book that rewards it’s reader with a new appreciation for how the rest of the world outside of Europe delt with WWII. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers and Fiction Guild in exchange for this post, which is my honest review and unbiased opinion. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #1,190,491 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #1,815 in World War II Historical Fiction #2,423 in Historical World War II & Holocaust Fiction #3,819 in Christian Historical Fiction (Books) | | Customer Reviews | 4.5 out of 5 stars 4,153 Reviews | ## Images ![The Girl From the Train - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81y+H++HgLL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ WILL LEAVE YOU WITH A QUESTION *by B***R on December 30, 2015* THE GIRL FROM THE TRAIN isn't really a Holocaust book because it didn't jump into the much deeper happenings that the countries at that time had to deal with. It is where this book starts that tells us about 2 people who came together because of and during the war. Gretl Schmidt, age 6, had seen way too much cruelty in the world. At the start of World War II, she and her sister, Elza, jump from a train just before a bridge it is to be blown up. That train was filled with Jews and was on its way to Poland, where the concentration camps were. Gretl survives but her sister dies from her injuries. Gretl then finds herself in the care of a young freedom fighter and Polish Resistance member named Jakób Kowalski. Even though Jakób is 15 years older there is a strong bond and friendship that develops between them. Gretl looks to Jakób as a protector and defender. As the danger gets worse, Gretl is sent to South Africa where a new family adopts her. She can never forget about Jakób, her first childhood love. What will happen when the adult Gretl reunites with Jakób, who has also come to Africa for a new start? Will the bonds of childhood friendship remain or become more? This is a tale spanning 15 years and two continents with a World War thrown in to make for a much better story. For such a long period of time, the story is not exploited with a large cast. Only 2 characters, with a few others thrown in, makes the story more intimate. The story will surprise you but will never seem boring. At times I even found myself with tears in my eyes. I did however have to have an interpretation guide handy at all times. At some points I could find no meaning or explanation for some of the foreign words. If I had not had a way to translate some of the sentences I would have had a hard time in understanding parts of the story. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read an emotional yet uplifting tale set during World War II. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Stunning Tale tat will leave you thinking about it long after the books last page is read . . . *by A***A on November 25, 2015* At the tender age of six, Gretl has witnessed too much cruelty in this world. At the onset of World War II, she finds herself jumping along with her sister from a train just before the bridge it is about to cross is blow up. Gretl survives but her sister dies from her injuries. Little Gretl come’s into the care of a young freedom fighter and polish resistance member, . Jakób there is 13 years age difference, a strong bond and friendship develop and Gretl looks to as Jakób protector and defender. As the dark clouds of war decent down over Europe, this friendship provides one shining light in the midst of such darkness. As the danger escalates Gretl is sent across the world to South Africa, where a new family adopt her but she never forgets Jakób, her childhood love. What will happened when the adult Gretl reunites with Jakób, who has also come to Africa for a new start? Will the bonds of childhood friendship remain or something more? Author Irma Joubert weaves a tale spanning 15 years and two continents plus a World War thrown in for good measure. Yet somehow the time frame never feels jerky or rushed. Characters have time to be breathed fully into life and live within the pages. For such a long period of time, the story in not overburdened with a large cast number making it a more intimate story. I would recommend to anyone wanting to read a moving, emotional, but uplifting tale set during World War II. Gretl’s tale may surprise and delight but never bore. And the additional setting of South Africa gives the story a different back drop during the war than most books set in this time period. A book that rewards it’s reader with a new appreciation for how the rest of the world outside of Europe delt with WWII. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers and Fiction Guild in exchange for this post, which is my honest review and unbiased opinion. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Heart-wrenching, Outstanding story *by K***R on September 20, 2021* Where do I start! Gretz was a Jewish child who was on her way to a death camp. Her mother helped her and her sister Elza escape. Life for these two children was very difficult, as you can imagine! As the story progressed, I felt tired and weary for the Polish people. The events were real for Jews. It is important that we remember this today. My thoughts are a bitvscattered as I just finished the book and am processing it all. I highly recommend you read this well written book with fully developed characters. I am not good at writing, but I know a good book when I read one! ## Frequently Bought Together - Girl From the Train: The Atari 2600 Game Journal - The Crooked Path --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.at/products/20004613-the-girl-from-the-train](https://www.desertcart.at/products/20004613-the-girl-from-the-train) --- *Product available on Desertcart Austria* *Store origin: AT* *Last updated: 2026-09-16*