The Year of Goodbyes

A True Story of Friendship, Family, and Farewells

By Levy, Debbie

Publishers Summary:
This book tells the true story of what happened to a 12-year-old girl named Jutta (Debbie Levy's mother) in 1938. Actual entries in a posiealbum (autograph book) serve as stepping stones in a crucial year in history, when people of Jewish ancestry in Germany and Austria were systematically stripped of their rights, subjected to violence, and arrested without cause. Jutta was one of the lucky ones who escaped to America before the rising tide of violence erupted into World War II and the tragedy of the Holocaust. Remembrances from Jutta's friends and relatives introduce chapters, written in verse form, that describe her experiences--many of them typical of any teenager anywhere--and report some of the history of the era. Debbie wrote these verses in consultation with her mother to reflect her voice, feelings, and thoughts as she was living through this memorable year. The book also includes excerpts from Jutta's diary. Together the poesie writings, verses and diary entries reflect a year of change and chance, confusion and cruelty. Most of all, they describe a year of goodbyes.* Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2010 ** 2011 Sydney Taylor Notable Book for Older Readers ** Parents' Choice Award 2010 *

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ISBN
978-1-42312-901-1
Publisher
Hyperion Book CH


REVIEWS

School Library Journal

Reviewed on May 1, 2010

Gr 6-8 Inspired by her mother's "poesiealbum" (poetry album), which survived her childhood retreat from Nazi Germany, Levy has created a verse novel slim in length but long on beauty, power, and anguish. Jutta Salzberg lived a normal, happy life until 1938. Although Hitler's reign is in its infancy, Jewish Germans already face severe restrictions in their lives; segregated schools, shops, and curfews are already the norm, with stories of the public humiliation of elderly Jews and concentration camps to follow. This book is comprised of actual entries in the "poesiealbum" penned by Jutta'...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

Horn Book Guide

Reviewed on January 1, 2010

This sequence of poems describes the last months one twelve-year-old Jewish girl spends in Germany before her family escapes the Holocaust. Bas...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

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