The Children of Willesden Lane

by Mona Golabek and Lee Cohen
(Warner Books)

In this memoir, concert pianist Mona Golabek shares the story of her mother’s journey through World War II and the enduring legacy of music that her mother passed along to her. Her mother survived by getting passage out of Vienna in 1938 aboard the Kindertransport, which brought her first to London, and then to 243 Willesden Lane, an orphanage with other young Jewish refugees. Here she came of age as a musician and formed close friendships with the other young people who were sharing similar circumstances of displacement and uncertainty during a time of war. Facing History and Ourselves has developed a study guide and music CD to accompany this piece of literature.

View or download The Children of Willesden Lane study guide here

Additional Resources:
Classroom Story: Embracing Diversity
Classroom Story: Memphis Teacher Instills the Value of Diversity
Annenberg Media: "Teaching the Children of Willesden Lane"
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