Touch Wood: A Girlhood in Occupied France (Puffin story books) [Paperback]

Renee Roth-Hano (Author)

Book Description

Series: Puffin story books | Publication Date: October 1, 1989

In this autobiographical novel set in Nazi-occupied France, Renâee, a young Jewish girl, and her family flee their home in Alsace and live a precarious existence in Paris until Renâee and her sister escape to the shelter of a Catholic school in Normandy.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In 1940, a girl and her family are forced into exile when their refuge in Paris proves unsafe. PW praised the author's moving depiction of "these memories of the sorrow--without self-pity--for the terrors around her." Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9 Roth-Hano recreates her girlhood experiences and impressions as a Jewish child in France during World War II. Written in a present-tense diary style, the story traces the family from the summer of 1940 after the German invasion has forced them to leave their home in Alsace; through a prolonged separation in which Renee and her two younger sisters are sent to live in a home managed by Catholic nuns; through the confusion and disruption of the eagerly awaited allied invasion; and ends with the family's reunion in Paris. While parts of Roth-Hano's story are familiar elements of many personal narratives of Holocaust experiences, they are, at the same time, very fresh and individual. As she and her family realize that Paris is not a sanctuary from the Nazis, she rails against the injustice she sees and is outraged and confused by the French betrayal of the Jews. Although the diary format sometimes makes the narrative jumpy, it is effective in involving readers and making the events seem immediate. The portrayal of Renee's emotions from petty jealousy to profound outrage rings true. Readers of Aranka Siegal's Upon the Head of a Goat (Farrar, 1981) and Clara Isaacman's Clara's Story (Jewish Pub. Soc, 1984) will have their point of view broadened by Touch Wood, which offers a French perspective. Many memorable stories have come out of the Holocaust. Touch Wood should earn a place among them. Louise L. Sherman, Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, N.J.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (October 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140340858
• ISBN-13: 978-0140340853
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,339,723 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Prose, Fascinating Detail, April 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Touch Wood: A Girlhood in Occupied France (Hardcover)

I cannot believe that this book is out of print! What a travesty.

It's been years since I read "Touch Wood," but the memory of Roth-Hano's vivid descriptions is still clear in my mind.

The fact that the book is a true story, and one that takes place in an extremely dangerous time for the protagonist add to the books intensity. Even without these factors, though, the book would still be well worth reading for Roth-Hano's lovely detailed prose and dead-on depictions of family relationships. The bond between Renee and her sisters -- who she is with constantly during hiding -- is especially well-illustrated.

If you can get ahold of a copy of "Touch Wood," I strongly recommend that you do so.

4.0 out of 5 stars Touch Wood, April 8, 2011

By 

Mary E. Young "JanaRose1" (Covington, Georgia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Touch Wood: A Girlhood in Occupied France (Puffin story books) (Paperback)

Renee and her family flee their home in Alsace to take up residence in Paris as the Nazi's invade France. As the Nazi's tighten their grip on the city, Renee and her family are forced to wear yellow Stars of David, announcing that they are Jewish. When close friends are picked up by the police, the family decides that Paris is no longer safe for the children. Renee and her two sisters are sent to a home managed by Catholic nuns, where they hide that they are Jewish. Rennee's feelings of jealous and anger are easy to understand and many children will relate to her.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read this book, November 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Touch Wood: A Girlhood in Occupied France (Puffin story books) (Paperback)

Yes, this book has an un-orginal theme: Jewish people surviving during WW2. But, the fact that it is a true story, and the way it's told, makes for compelling reading.