The Enemy's Daughter

By Anne Blankman

A girl must hide her identity to survive in enemy territory after a shipwreck.

3.9/5 Goodreads · 448 ratings

288 pages· 71,859 words· Est. 10 hour read

$18.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

In 1915, Marta survives the Lusitania's sinking but is stranded in enemy land. Alone and afraid, she must conceal her German identity to stay safe. Befriended by Clare, an Irish girl, Marta faces a dilemma: can she trust those who might be her enemies? As she navigates this dangerous world, Marta discovers courage and the true meaning of friendship amidst the chaos of war.

From the publisher

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.

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