WARSAW, Poland -- Sunbury Press has released Rising Hope, Marie Sontag's historical YA novel, the first of theWarsaw Rising trilogy. About the Book: Looking back, eighteen-year-old Tadzio realized that it all began when his father walked out on him September 8, 1939. That same day, his Scoutmaster challenged Tadzio and his friends to give their all for Poland. At first, thirteen-year-old Tadzio said no. Now, five years later, the Germans still occupied Poland. But at least Tadzio rose to the challenge. And he still had hope. This is how it began. “Rising Hope is an homage to all Polish teenagers who fought the German evil so bravely during WWII. A must read.” --- Julian Kulski Author of The Color of Courage, 2014. Kulski, son of the Polish mayor of Warsaw, was ten when Germany invaded Poland in 1939, and twelve when he joined Warsaw’s fight against the Germans. “With a unique set of characters, Sontag’s book transfers readers into the atmosphere and situation in Poland during 1939-1945. It is written with passion for the events and reveals the author’s respect and compassion for the people and the disastrous events that transpired.” --- Aleksandra Ziolkowska-Boehm Author of Kaia, Heroine of the 1944 Warsaw Rising. Excerpt: Palmiry, Poland – September 8, 1939 THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD TADZIO STOOD IN THE FRONT HALLWAY of the family’s summerhouse and watched his father walk out the door. “Why do you have to leave now, Father?” he shouted at him. “We need you. The war…” he broke off. Tadzio’s father turned around. “I’m sorry I haven’t spent much time with you this past year. Until today, I never really understood how important your Scouting activities were. Now I need to leave on a special business trip, and I’m not sure when I’ll be back.” Tadzio looked down and stared at a spot on the hardwood floor where the late morning sun leaked in through the open doorway. “I can’t give you any details.” His father reached out and lifted Tadzio’s chin. “When I get back I’ll explain everything.” Catching Tadzio by surprise, his father pulled him into a close embrace. “I love you.” He then turned and left. Tadzio longed to yell, “Of course you’re leaving. That’s what you always do. Why should today be any different?” He also wished he could run after his father, wrap his arms around his waist and shout, “No, don’t go Poppa. Don’t leave now, don’t ever leave us again!” Instead, Tadzio just stood with his hands at his sides and said nothing. An hour earlier, Tadzio’s sixteen-year-old patrol leader, Andrzej, had driven Tadzio’s Scoutmaster and two other boys from Tadzio’s Scout troop to their family’s summer home. Without any explanation, Tadzio’s father and the Scoutmaster, Professor Handelsman, went into his father’s library where they spoke in hushed tones for almost thirty minutes. Tadzio quickly learned that the two Scouts who arrived with Andrzej and the professor had no idea why they were there, except that Professor Handelsman asked them to come. Now the professor joined Tadzio’s family out on the white-columned porch as the family watched their father leave. Tadzio’s mother held little four-year-old Henio’s hand. Tadzio’s older sister, Magdalena, sniffled and wiped her tears with her embroidered handkerchief. Tadzio’s father walked across the yard and into the barn. He returned a moment later dragging two heavy suitcases. After hoisting them into the back seat of Andrzej’s black Fiat 518, he slid in next to the patrol leader on the passenger’s side. Andrzej revved the car’s engine, throwing out the heady, nauseous stench of petrol. Seconds later he pulled out of the gravel driveway and onto the forest-lined road. “Andrzej will return in about an hour,” the professor explained. “Tadzio and Magdalena, I’d like you and the other Scouts to meet me in the library when he returns. I will tell you what you need to know at that time.” Tadzio opened his mouth, about to say, “Tell us now,” but the professor’s pressed lips kept Tadzio silent. As he usually did when frustrated or depressed, Tadzio went to the ebony Böesendorfer grand piano in the far corner of the parlor and practiced his scherzo. The other Scouts all went their separate ways until Andrzej returned from his mysterious errand. About the Author Dr. Marie Sontag taught middle school for over 15 years. She has a BA in Social Science, and an MA and PhD in Education. www.mariesontag.com Rising Hope Authored by Marie Sontag List Price: $16.95 6" x 9" (15.24 x 22.86 cm) Black & White on White paper 228 pages Sunbury Press, Inc. ISBN-13: 978-1620065563 ISBN-10: 1620065568 BISAC: Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Holocaust For more information, please see: http://www.sunburypressstore.com/Rising-Hope-978162006556...