The Baker's Daughter

Author: Sarah McCoy

One-sentence summary: The stories of two women in very different times and places intersect as they struggle with their histories, present troubles, and make crucial decisions about their futures.

B.A.D. Girls Book Rating: 8

Our favorite thing about it: We loved the time period and new insights into Nazi Germany.

Our least favorite thing about it: Some of it may have been slightly rushed and the pacing a bit off in places (but we were willing to overlook that because we loved the book).

Main Topics of Discussion: Government, Sacrifice, Family, Consequences, Nazi Germany, US border control

Our favorite quote: “We knew things were not right, but we were afraid to change what we knew and even more afraid to find out what we did not.”

Notes: We usually love books set in the WWII time period and this was no exception. We also loved the blending of the story from that time with present day El Paso, TX with all its border issues. In fact, that may have been our favorite thing about the book other than the fact that it was just a great story…the struggle between country and conscience, morality and obedience, and all the grey areas in between was so well done. We loved the way this book made us think.

We gained yet another perspective on German nationals during the Nazi regime as well as the Lebensborn Program, which was very interesting to us. And the descriptions of the bakery and its goods was absolutely mouth-watering.

Overall, we really loved how the story wove throughout both time periods and connected the characters as well as brought up questions (often unanswerable) about right and wrong and what people choose to do when they are faced with moral dilemmas. We definitely recommend this book. (But have some baked goods nearby when you read it because it made us hungry!)

Memorable Meeting Moments: Christina made us homemade German pretzels and an amazing cheesecake that is a family recipe from her grandmother…from Germany! And we made plans for our next and favorite meeting of the year…the lake house!

What We Ate: German Cucumber Salad, Beef Rouladen, Spiced Red Cabbage, and German Cheesecake (Kasekuchen)