The Circus Train by Amita Park

Lena is fragile and often alone due to the polio she contracted as a child but since her dad is a famous illusionist with a traveling circus life is never boring. She prefers the quiet to the spotlight throwing herself into her books until the day she discovers a young boy almost frozen and by saving his life, he saves hers. Alexandre is a jewish orphan and with WWII looming on the horizon it is not safe unless they change his identity and Lena's father teaches him to be an illusionist insuring his place in the circus. Starting out as the best of friends Lena and Alexandre grow to feel much more for each other only to be torn apart when disaster strikes. One goes off to follow dreams, the other needs to survive and have the chance to repair the past but neither can really forget the other. This is a beautiful WWII story that mirrors the horrors of war with the innocence of young love and the wonders of modern medicine. A story of following your dreams and never losing hope even when it looks hopeless. Readers of WWII historical fiction will appreciate this as much as fans of circus stories like WATER FOR ELEPHANTS.
​ 4 stars