Star of Kazan

by Eva Ibbotson

Founding, Annika has been brought up in Vienna. Ellie and Sigrid, the two women who found her are wonderful, as are the professor’s they work for and of course, all her friends. She learns to love cooking, sees the legendary horse of Vienna put through their paces and enjoys listening to the tales of the old lady who used to be on the stage and received many breath-taking jewels, including the Star of Kazan.

But Annika has always dreamed of a mother of her own and when an elegant woman arrives with papers say she is Annika’s mother, Annika is swept away by the dream to her new life as an aristocrat.

Knowing nothing of her new life, Annika finds many things that confuse her. The castle they live in is falling down, there are no servants to take care of the place and when she tries to clean and cook, her mother is angry with her. Homesick, Annika begins to put together clues that will lead to shocking treachery, astonishing courage and the true meaning of family.

Part of my 100 + reading challenge

Image from amazon.com