The Children's Train Quotes

“It’s done. We did our best. The Kindertransports from Germany are shut down. Yours was the last train across the border.” “What about the children still left there?” Marla asked. Sebastian shook his head. “We did what we set out to do. We saved as many children as we could, almost ten thousand.” “But what about Jules?” Marla asked. “I’m sorry. There is nothing we can do for him. It’s impossible. We don’t even know where he is. No one will be allowed in or out of Germany. Perhaps we can still get a few more Kindertransports out of the Netherlands, but the rail lines into Germany are shut down.”
― Jana Zinser, The Children's Train

“It’s not about courage. It’s about power. When someone controls everything you do, it can be a prison even if you aren’t confined.”
― Jana Zinser, The Children's Train

“Reporting tonight’s news on April 9, 1940, German troops invade Denmark and Norway,” the radio announcer said. Emil shook his head. “Hitler’s a madman. They shouldn’t prat about. Someone should just kill him.” He turned to stare at Peter. “Why haven’t your people turned against him? Some people don’t have the courage, I guess.” Peter clenched his fists, but he held them tightly to his sides, his nails digging into his skin. He glared at Emil and Maude. “It’s not about courage. It’s about power. When someone controls everything you do, it can be a prison even if you aren’t confined.”
― Jana Zinser, The Children's Train

“as long as there is life, there is hope,”
― Jana Zinser, The Children's Train

“when life was at its worst, there was always someone who needed something you could give.”
― Jana Zinser, The Children's Train

“Small acts of sabotage create fear. Fear makes them second-guess themselves. That causes mistakes, and mistakes can kill,” Sloan said.”
― Jana Zinser, The Children's Train

“You murdered my pregnant wife and son, but now you don’t have the guts to kill me?” He waved his hands in the air. “God forgive me, I took him from the train!” He leaned his head back and yelled, “Forgive me, Charlie!” Charlie turned when his father shouted his name, and watched as his father ran at full speed, throwing himself against the electrified fence. Arnold’s body sizzled at every contact. The sparks flew as his soul sought the end of living in the flesh without his family. He was free to seek a final peace with those he loved—except Charlie was still alive.”
― Jana Zinser, The Children's Train

“Noah startled as well, and, without thinking, turned and ran. The Nazis shot at the escaping boy, but Noah was so little and so dizzy that he couldn’t run straight. Their bullets missed his uncontrollable serpentine zigzag. He ran crookedly into the woods. Dirk ran after him, shooting indiscriminately into the trees. Adler, unused to any exertion, remained by the river. Noah’s footsteps were so light that even in the forest, he barely made a sound. He rounded a clump of trees.”
― Jana Zinser, The Children's Train