THE GIRL IN THE TORCH
by Robert Sharenow
Release Date: May 26, 2015
About the Book
THE GIRL IN THE TORCH is a vivid and engrossing tale about identity, sacrifice, survival, and family, set against the backdrop of Manhattan at the turn of the 20th century. THE GIRL IN THE TORCH tells the story of Sarah, a 12 year-old immigrant girl who is orphaned when her mother dies upon their arrival in America, escaping the pogroms of Czarist Russia. Everyone in their village dreamed of America after a tantalizing postcard of the Statue of Liberty featuring Emma Lazarus’ poem circulated among them. But when no American relatives can be located to sponsor Sarah after her mother’s death, her hopes are crushed as she is placed on a ship for deportation back to Russia. In desperation, she makes a daring leap into New York Harbor and swims to the nearest land mass, Liberty Island, where she takes refuge inside the Statue of Liberty, the torch becoming her own private bedroom. To survive, she scavenges for food among the tourists during the day, evading capture by hiding amid the trees and retreating to Lady Liberty upon nightfall. Eventually, she is discovered by a troubled night watchman named Maryk who takes her under his wing and brings her to his boardinghouse in Chinatown. There, Sarah is integrated into a very diverse and eccentric group of outsiders who become like family to her. As she struggles with her new life and identity, crackdowns on illegal immigrants sweep Chinatown, putting Sarah and her housemates at risk. Will she escape their wrath or be sent back to Russia to face what promises to be a tortured life?
To learn more about this book and see our review, go HERE.
About the Author
Robert Sharenow is an award-winning writer, television producer, and executive. As an author he has won the admiration of critics and readers with his captivating historical novels for young adults. His first novel, My Mother the Cheerleader, was named one of the “Best Books of the Year” by the American Library Association, School Library Journal, and the New York Public Library. His second novel, The Berlin Boxing Club, won the Sydney Taylor Book Award and was a finalist for the Walden Award. His latest novel, a work of historical fiction for middle grade readers, is THE GIRL IN THE TORCH, which Balzer & Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins, will publish on May 26, 2015.
Rob Sharenow is Executive Vice President and General Manager of Lifetime and A&E Network. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing all creative and strategic business matters for the two networks, including programming, acquisitions, marketing, and brand development. A veteran executive for A&E Networks and having led two successful tenures at A&E and Lifetime, Sharenow was given oversight of both networks in February 2015.
Sharenow is a graduate of Brandeis University. He received his Master’s degree from New York University, where he held a fellowship in the American Studies department.
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Giveaway Details
2 winners will receive a copy of the finished book. US only.
Entering is simple, just fill out the entry form below. Winners will be announced on this site and in our monthly newsletter (sign up now!) within 30 days after the giveaway ends.
During each giveaway, we ask entrants a question pertaining to the book. Here is the question they’ll be answering in the comments below for extra entries: Where did Rob learn his earliest lessons in leadership? Find the answer here.
working at his parents’ New Hampshire sleepaway camp
Working at New Hampshire sleepaway camp
When he worked at New Hampshire sleepaway camp.
working at New Hampshire sleepaway camp
Rob learned his earliest lessons in leadership while working at New Hampshire sleepaway camp.
Working at New Hampshire sleepaway camp
He learned his earliest lessons in leadership while working at New Hampshire Sleep away Camp
When he worked at New Hampshire sleepaway camp.
working at new hampshire sleepaway camp