1938, Italy. Six-year-old Lia loves to build sandcastles at the beach and her biggest problem is her shyness and quiet, birdlike voice — until prime minister Mussolini joins forces with Hitler in World War II, and everything changes. Now there are laws saying Jewish children can’t go to school, Jews can’t work, or go on vacation. It’s difficult for Lia to understand why this is happening to her family. When her father loses his job, they must give up their home and move from city to city. As war comes closer, it becomes too dangerous to stay together, and Lia and her sisters are sent to hide at a convent. Will she ever be “just a girl” again?
In this award-winning memoir translated from Italian to English, a Jewish girl grows up during a difficult time of racial discrimination and war, and discovers light in unexpected places. This classic, powerful story from Lia Levi is adapted for young readers, with beautiful black-and-white illustrations, a family photo album, and a powerful author’s note to readers. The memoir is full of poignant moments of friendship and loss — both everyday and extraordinary — all told in Lia's captivating voice.
"Lia’s young voice is perceptive and heartbreakingly vulnerable as she recounts her steadfast, even cheerful, acceptance of the changes in her life amid the insanity around her. Levi always makes it known when her older self is at the helm, directly addressing her 'dear readers' and interjecting helpful supplementary information. Mason’s black-and-white sketches provide immediacy and added clarity. In a closing letter that gives more insight into Levi’s memories, she requests a moment of silence for the 6 million Jews the Nazis murdered, urges readers to always stand against racism, and expresses eternal gratitude to the American soldiers who 'came as saviors' during the war." — Kirkus Reviews
Recommended Age | 9 - 12 |
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Author | Lia Levi |
Illustrator | Jess Mason |
ISBN | 0063065088 |
Publication Date | Mar 22, 2022 |
Publisher | HarperCollins |
Language | English |