Customer Reviews

Star of Fear, Star of Hope

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

Each year I do a thematic unit on the Holocaust and this is one of the picture books that I use with my sixth grade students. They enjoy the story and the pictures portray the writer's feelings were very.

An elderly lady retells events from her childhood. She describes her confusion and fear when her best friend has to wear a yellow star, her sadness when her friend mysteriously disappears one night and her enduring hope of finding her again. Great introduction for learning about the Jews under Nazi Germany. Reading level is third grade but good as a read aloud to younger children. Very moving.

I bought this book for school for a unit that I was doing. With all of the other books I bought through Amazon, it was a great resource for myself and my students. Full Satisfied with the seller!

I can't think of a time in my life when I *didn't* know about the Holocaust.

There must have been such a time, nobody takes their three year old kid and one day decides to tell them of horrific things, but I can't recall it.

My nieces are 5 and 2.5, and the older one is right about the time when she should be learning about serious subjects.

This is, I think, a good introduction to what is a very serious subject indeed.

The reality of the Holocaust isn't diluted, but it's told at a level that's appropriate for small children - losing a friend and lifelong regret, and you know she didn't survive, but that's not spelled out.

Whenever you decide it's appropriate to start talking to your kids about this sort of subject, consider this book.

This book tells the story about a woman who regrets her last interaction with her best friend. She is mad that her friend wants to leave her on her birthday, but she ends up never seeing her friend again. Her friend was taken along with her family during a Nazi raid. I used this story as an accompaniment for a lesson in my classroom to teach students about struggle and the holocaust and it was an excellent tool.

In 1942, in Nazi-occupied France, Helen invites her best friend, Lydia for a sleep over. During the night, strangers tap on the door, calling out strange passwords. Word reaches the family that Jews are being rounded-up and arrested. Lydia, fearing for her family, rushes home. Upset, Helen says "You're not my friend anymore!" Sadly, she never sees Lydia again. For the rest of her life, Helen regrets the last words spoken between them, and hopes "with all my heart" that Lydia has survived.

This is a powerfully written book. One that reminds us of the importance of friendship and partings. It also is a good starting point for discussions regarding the Holocaust, without providing the gory and horrific details. Overall, I highly recommend this book.