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A heartbreaking novel based on the true story of a World War II voyage. In May of 1939, the SS St. Francis sets sail from Germany, carrying German Jews and other refugees away from Hitler’s regime. The passengers believe they are bound for freedom in Cuba and eventually the United States, but not all of them are celebrating. Fifteen-year-old Thomas is anxious about his parents and didn’t want to leave Germany: his father, a Jew, has been imprisoned and his mother, a Christian, is left behind, alone. Fourteen-yearold Priska has her family with her, and she’s determined to enjoy the voyage, looking forward to their new lives. Based on the true story of the MS St. Louis, this historical young adult novel imagines two travelers and the lives they may have lived until events, and immigration laws, conspired to change their fates. Kim Ablon Whitney did meticulous research on the voyage of the St. Louis to craft her compelling and moving story about this little-known event in history.… (more)
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The Other Half of Life is based on the true story of the MS St. Louis. Before I read this novel, I had never heard of the MS St. Louis. I guess the magnititude of the other events of WWII make this story seem too insignificant to mention. :/ Anyways, I really enjoyed The Other Half of Life. Whitney really did her research! At the end of the novel, there is also a bibliography. It’s always harder to find information on little-known events, but the amount of information in this novel was great. The amount of facts, however, did not make the novel seem like textbook either. While reading this book, I felt transported to another time.
The characters were also great. I really enjoyed the differences between Thomas and Priska. Thomas knows everything in the world cannot be trusted. Priska, on the other hand, has a carefree, optimistic point of view. The novel also included chess. I know how to play chess, but I am not a great player. Reading about Thomas’s chess strategies was interesting. The only thing I did not like about The Other Half of Life was the epilogue. The book really did need an epilogue, but it just seemed kind of out-of-place. The feeling I got after reading the epilogue reminded me very much of the feeling I got after reading the epilogue of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, if you know what I mean.
This for me was an emotional ending. I loved the timeline that was placed at the end of the book. I also loved all of the sources that were listed at the end. It will prove valuable.