Author: Lois Lowry
Genre: Historical Fiction
Awards: Sydney Taylor Book Award (1989), National Jewish Book Award (1990), Newbery Medal (1990), Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award (1992), A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book (1990), Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee (1991), 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up (2009), School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, American Booksellers Association Pick of the Lists, ALA Notable Children's Book, Wyoming Indian Paintbrush Nominee (1991), Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee (1991), Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award (1992), Charlotte Award (1992), Shalom Readers Club Book List, AISLE Read-Aloud Books Too Good To Miss (1991), Maine Student Book Award (1991), ISLMA Bluestem Award Nominee (2014), Sunshine State Young Reader's Award Nominee (1991), VDL Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award Nominee, CCBC Choices (1989), Wisconsin Golden Archer Award (1998), Sequoyah Book Award Nominee (1992), William Allen White Children's Book Award Nominee (1992), Hawai'i Nēnē Award Nominee (1994), IRA Teachers' Choices Reading List (1993), NCTE Adventuring with Books (1993), School Library Journal Top 100 Children's Novels (2010), School Library Journal Top 100 Children's Novels (2012)
Grade(s): 4th-8th
Summary: Annemarie Johansen was growing up in a time of war. Her best friend, Ellen Rosen was a Jew who was in danger of being caught and killed. During the height of the war, the German soldiers were cracking down and becoming very strict. Fear of being caught, the Rosen family decided they needed to leave the area. To keep Ellen as safe as possible, they left Ellen with the Johansens and Annemarie and Ellen were to pretend they were sisters. Although they were almost caught when German soldiers came to search their home, Annemarie's dad was able to retrieve a picture of the oldest sister, who had been killed in a car accident, to pass off as a photo of Ellen since the two had dark hair. When things became more tense, the Johansen's decided it would be better to stay with Uncle Henrik who lives in a fishing village on the outskirts of town. To keep Ellen and other Jewish refugees safe, Uncle Henrik organizes a fake funeral for his non-existent aunt. German soldiers come to evaluate why there are so many people gathered in one area and find the funeral to be acceptable. Later, Uncle Henrik and Mrs. Johansen begin to bring Jews to boats to sail them to Sweden, where they would remain safe. Ellen's family turns up at Uncle Henrik's house and they all decide to leave for Sweden until the war ended. Annemarie and Ellen hated that they would be separated, but they knew it was for the best. When the war finally ended, the Johansen's returned home and joined in a tearful celebration with their community. Annemarie retrieved her best friend's necklace and vowed to keep it with her and safe until Ellen was able to return home. The book's last quote is "'Until then,' Annemarie told him, 'I will wear it myself.'"
My Thoughts: I feel that this book is an excellent book for 4th to 8th graders. I feel that the story is rich and really portrays the lives of those living during World War II. Although this is a fictional book, I feel that Lois Lowry really makes the characters and story come to life with real scenarios and situations. I would not read this to my younger students as I feel it is a bit too advanced for them, but if I ever find myself teaching older elementary grades, I will definitely use this book to teach them of the World War II lifestyle. I loved reading this book and I will definitely keep it on my bookshelf for many years!!
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