ALL ABOARD FOR FREEDOM

The author of a number of good stories for young people (see Juan of Manila p. 339, 1947, The News is Good. p. 600, 1952 and others) turns to contemporary Prague for a rather harrowing and thoughtful story of escape from the Communist government. Near the railroad yard live five children- Fran 13, Eve 11, Stevie 10, Marsha 8, and Alois 5. All war orphans, they have been taken over by Millie, a former teacher and underground worker but are now threatened with separation for the state is going to send the children away to schools. From their heritage, Millie and the children, as far as they can remember, have wanted freedom rather than life in a police state and it is with Fran that Millie talks and plans their getaway by train to the German border. Hair raising experiences with friends and enemies follow, until the train engine is ""fixed"" to make the run to the border and Millie and the children meet an old American friend and look forward to life in the United States. At times melodramatic, at times long winded, this has its moments of suspense and serious character study that seem to spring from actual experience.