The Rochester Hills Public Library is pleased to welcome Author John Kozak to speak on his new book Through the Eyes of Rose, the true story about his mother’s heroic escape from Czechoslovakia in 1949, on April 13 at 7:00 p.m.
John retells the story of how Rose Kozak escaped with her daughter and a seven-year-old version of himself after his father was unable to return from Switzerland. Desperate to escape the newly established Communist regime, Rose overcomes betrayal, being hunted, and nearly captured to find freedom.
Author John Kozak
“Many of us look up to our parents for the sacrifices they made to raise us,” says John Kozak. “But I look up to my mother also for how she had to fight against a painfully aggressive regime so we could be free. I hope this talk will give people an idea of what that was like.”
Rose’s story highlights the struggles that she faced when the Nazis occupied Czechoslovakia. It also shows her reaction to the news when she found out that the Czech Communists took over and fabricated criminal charges against her husband.
“Here at the Rochester Hills Public Library, we love families,” says Community Relations Specialist Amanda Harrison Keighley. “And in Through the Eyes of Rose, we see how Rose Kozak was willing to do anything to keep her family safe. We are honored to host John Kozak and hear about his mother’s story.”
Registration is available online for this event at calendar.rhpl.org. Sign up in advance as space will be limited.
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