Genres
Description
"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?"--
Publication
HarperCollins (2022), 144 pages
User reviews
LibraryThing member jennybeast
Remarkably gentle personal remembrance of Jewish childhood during WWII in Italy. While there are terrible things happening, Lia and her sisters are protected by her parents and successfully hide at a convent boarding school once things get really bad. It feels like it is written by a very young
Advanced Reader's Copy Provided by Edelweiss.
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child for other young children -- seems like it would be a good introduction for kids who aren't ready to take in the enormity and brutality of the Holocaust. It's also a good reminder of the many perspectives of survivors. Advanced Reader's Copy Provided by Edelweiss.
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Awards
Three Stars Book Award (Nominee — 2024)
Mildred L. Batchelder Award (Winner — 2023)
Notable Children's Book (2023)
Language
Original language
Italian
Physical description
144 p.; 8.5 inches
ISBN
0063065088 / 9780063065086