Just a Girl: A True Story of World War II
by Lia Levi (Author) Jess Mason (Illustrator)
In this award-winning memoir translated from Italian to English, a Jewish girl grows up during a difficult time of racial discrimination and war, and discovers light in unexpected places. This classic, powerful story from Lia Levi is adapted for young readers, with beautiful black-and-white illustrations, a family photo album, and a powerful author's note to readers.
1938, Italy. Six-year-old Lia loves to build sandcastles at the beach and her biggest problem is her shyness and quiet, birdlike voice--until prime minister Mussolini joins forces with Hitler in World War II, and everything changes.
Now there are laws saying Jewish children can't go to school, Jews can't work, or go on vacation. It's difficult for Lia to understand why this is happening to her family. When her father loses his job, they must give up their home and move from city to city.
As war comes closer, it becomes too dangerous to stay together, and Lia and her sisters are sent to hide at a convent. Will she ever be "just a girl" again?
The memoir is full of poignant moments of friendship and loss, dreaded tests at school, told in Lia's captivating voice, as she grows into a young teen. Just a Girl is an important addition to the WWII Jewish canon.
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Gr 3-7--Lia Levi tells the story of her childhood as a young Jewish girl living in Italy and Rome during World War II. Lia's life begins to change when her mother tells her she can no longer attend her Italian school. Because of Mussolini's new laws, Lia must now attend a Jewish school. While this change doesn't affect Lia much, it is the first of many changes that worry her and cause her family to be separated. Lia's father loses his job, and their family must move multiple times for him to find work that will support their family. When the war gets too close to home, Lia's parents send her and her sisters to live at a convent in hopes of disguising them as Christian children. This unique story is both heartbreaking and sweet. Lia goes through many difficult situations, but, as a young girl would, she finds ways to be positive and have fun through this terrible time. The illustrations included add context for readers, along with interjections from Lia's adult self that usually refers to the readers as "dear readers." Levi's story is perfect for young children who want to learn more about the Holocaust, but aren't ready for the more horrific details. VERDICT An excellent addition to elementary memoir and World War II collections.--Lisa Buffi
Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
"Lia Levi adds her girlhood voice—so spunky, outspoken, and innocent—to the great children's choir of Holocaust narratives. These voices, fewer each year, remind us of what was lost and what was learned." -Lois Lowry, author of Number the Stars
JNF007020 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Historical
JNF025130 - Juvenile Nonfiction | History | Military & Wars
JNF023000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Girls & Women
JNF025090 - Juvenile Nonfiction | History | Holocaust
JNF049110 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Religion | Judaism
Jews
Italy
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)
Autobiographies
Levi, Lia
