Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
In 1938, 6yo Lia moved with her family to Turin, because her father lost his job - Mussolini made it difficult for Jewish fathers to find work.. But just as she was feeling confident in school, they had to move again - this time to Rome. Italy was at war - and Mussolini and Hitler both made life difficult for the Jews. By 6th grade, Lia and her sisters were boarding (hiding) at a convent school - not allowed to tell anyone, even best friends that they were Jewish. When will Lia be Just a Girl again?
Based on Levi's 1994 Memoir Just a Girl was adapted by Levi for young readers. Perfectly appropriate for 8-10yo readers, there is no war violence, although there is a scary scene during a bombing. The racism and hardships of WWII Italy viewed through the eyes of a Jewish child is poignant. The author's voice is great (well translated from Italian by Sylvia Notini). I loved the author's note thanking American readers' Great and Great Great grandfathers for being the soldiers who bravely defeated Hitler. Mason's blank and white illustrations highlight the text, giving the reader context, I wish there were more. The Levi family is Italian and Jewish.
Lisa Librarian
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