My Mother's Secret

Based on a True Holocaust Story

By: J. L. Witterick

Narrated by: Elizabeth Wiley

Franciszka and her daughter, Helena, are simple, ordinary people until 1939, when the Nazis invade their homeland. Providing shelter to Jews in Nazi-occupied Poland is a death sentence, but Franciszka and Helena do exactly that. In their tiny home in Sokal, they hide a Jewish family in a loft above their pigsty, a Jewish doctor with his wife and son in a makeshift cellar under the kitchen, and a defecting German soldier in the attic - each party completely unknown to the others. For everyone to survive, Franciszka will have to outsmart her neighbors and the German commander. Told simply and succinctly from four different perspectives, My Mother's Secret is a testament to the kindness, courage, and generosity of ordinary people who chose to be extraordinary.

©2013 J. L. Witterick (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A reflection of our own era, a reminder of how far wrong we can be led...an important book." (Joseph Kertes, author of Gratitude)

How a work of “fiction” can be so true!

Amazingly written for how we are all connected and how love and recognition of humanity is the key to it all.

Brave Souls

Based on true story. I am inspired when I read stories based on true struggles of the oppressed peoples of our world.

Great book!

Easy to listen to - great story! Love hearing historical stories - even though it’s fiction - it is based on a true story. Enjoyed very much!

excellent story. emotionally read.

this story kept my attention and made me excited to keep listening. I highly recommend this touching story.

a beautiful tale

A simply beautiful story of how person can make a real difference. Inspired beautiful and truly a great story