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book cover for The Children on the Train

The Children on the Train

An utterly heart-wrenching and page-turning World War 2 historical novel, inspired by unforgettable true stories

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Pub Date Aug 04 2026 | Archive Date Aug 04 2026


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Description

November 1938, Germany. Grete guides two small children onto the train. Placing her arms protectively around their shoulders, she prays the journey is uneventful because she must get six-year-old Adele and eight-year-old Rosa out of Germany…

 

Grete always longed to be a mother, but it never happened for her so, as the clouds of war gather over Europe, she’s devoting her time to helping Jewish children escape the Nazis. She remembers the face of every single child she’s taken on trains to freedom in the Netherlands. The danger increases with each trip, but, today, she has to get her best friend’s children to safety, because they are closest thing she has to family.

 

But at the border, the train screeches to a halt and she hears the shout of a Nazi guard. Then the sound of boots coming towards their carriage. When the door bursts open, she draws herself up tall, and prepares to face the interrogation she knows will come. With shaking hands, she passes over Rosa and Adele’s tattered papers and hopes they aren’t scrutinised too closely.

 

Grete is ready to do whatever it takes to keep her small charges safe…

 

A completely heart-breaking and emotional WW2 historical fiction novel of incredible bravery, friendship and love in the darkest of times inspired by true stories of the Kindertransport. From the bestselling author of The Midwife of Auschwitz, this unforgettable story is perfect for fans of Orphan Train, The Book of Lost Names and The Nightingale.

 

What readers are saying about Anna Stuart:

 

BLEW me away… I was in absolute AWE reading this… I could picture everything… SPEECHLESSBrought tears to my eyes.’ thatbookishvixen, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Absolutely heart-wrenchingI raced through this bookGrabbed me from the first paragraph and didn’t let gountil the last line of the fabulous ending. Anna Stuart is fast becoming my favourite WW2 author. A cracker of a story.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Shattered my heartI was in tears… So powerful you feel as if you are there… Incredibly movingAbsolutely brilliant… this gut-wrenching journey will hit your heart… I highly recommend.’ Cindy L. Spear, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

This book is everything! It deserves every one of its five stars and more!… I can’t recommend this book highly enough, the writing and the storyline are exquisite.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

I couldn’t put it down… A heart-wrenching and emotional journey that will leave you in tearsMy heart brokemultiple times throughout the story… PowerfulGripping historical fiction novel that will tug at your heartstrings.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Reading this book absolutely broke my heart… A haunting story that will stay with me long after I’ve turned the last page… Heartbreaking historical fiction… Gripping and emotionalA must-read.’ Vegan Book Blogger,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

From start to finish, this book had me capturedHeart-wrenchingAn emotional rollercoaster… I think I went through every emotion as I read this story. What a page-turner!celticcaston, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Utterly brilliant, emotionally charged… This truly is one of the best books I’ve ever read.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

November 1938, Germany. Grete guides two small children onto the train. Placing her arms protectively around their shoulders, she prays the journey is uneventful because she must get six-year-old...


A Note From the Publisher

** THIS IS AN UNCORRECTED ADVANCED READERS COPY **

** THIS IS AN UNCORRECTED ADVANCED READERS COPY **


Available Editions

EDITION Ebook
ISBN 9781807223137
PRICE £1.99 (GBP)

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