Notes

It is German-occupied Poland in 1942 and Jewish lives are at risk. Nazi soldiers order young boys to pull down their trousers to see if they are circumcised. Many are summarily shot or sent to the camps. A remarkable mother takes an ingenious step. To avoid suspicion, she trains her teenage son to be a girl: his clothing, voice, hair, manners and more. Together, mother and son face incredible odds as their story sweeps backwards and forwards across occupied Europe.

"Sasha's tale is based upon a true story, originally written down by Sasha's mother, Larissa, in her memoir, but all names have been changed. It is a tribute to all the survivors of the war - and to all those who did not come home. Sasha was actually my father and Larissa my grandmother. This is their story."-- Author's note.