Sophia's Gift

Her Majesty Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom

". . . utterly charming! I was most interested in the history behind Sophia's Gift."

Sophia's Gift is based upon the true story of Sophia Strauss and her mother, Jewish Confederates who ran a general store in Culpeper, Virginia, during the American Civil War. Sophia yearns for a doll in their shop but knows they can never afford her. She satisfies herself by naming the doll Grace Darling after her favorite story about the iconic real-life Grace Horsley Darling, who helped to save nine people shipwrecked in a storm off the coast of England. Soon, Culpeper comes under attack; they take in a wounded soldier to nurse back to health. When the soldier is well enough to travel, he gives the doll to Sophia as a token of friendship. But their money troubles continue, and soon they're faced again with the prospect of having to sell Grace Darling. Sophia's Gift is generosity and resilience in the face of hardship.

Historical Note at the back of the book contains additional facts about Grace Darling's German manufacturing circa 1850s, the amazing life of the Victorian British icon Grace Horsley Darling, the tribulations of Sophia's family, and how Grace Darling came to reside at the American Civil War Museum in Richmond, Virginia.  

Sophia's Gift won four book awards: Gold Winner in Human Relations Indie Book Awards for cultural human relations in children's books, Short Listed in Chanticleer International's Little Peeps Awards for picture books, Finalist in Canadian-based IAN Book of the Year Award for children's nonfiction, and Nominated for Eric Hoffer Book Award in legacy nonfiction, children's books.

Sophia's Gift is for children ages 8 and up, Junior Collectors ages 8 to 17, teachers, humanities scholars, museums and historic sites, devotees of children's literature, and adults who are enthusiastic about doll collecting, women's studies, Jewish history, military, antiques, and more. Worldwide market includes North America, Europe, and Australasia/Oceania.

www.sophiasgiftbook.com