Hannah: My Holocaust Story

Goldie Alexander again proves herself an insightful writer; skilful and imaginative. The Holocaust and all its heartbreak, death and desolation, is always confronting and painful to read about. Goldie’s familiarity with this subject is visible. But she has presented that traumatic time in history in such a way, that the horrors are not what are showcased alone. This is a story of courage, faith, family, hope and survival.

Hannah’s narrative begins in 1941 in the Warsaw Ghetto where she, her brother Adam, baby sister Ryzia, and her parents are taken by the SS after their two years’ safe hiding place is revealed by a traitor. Instead of being put to death, Papa is told to report to the Jewish Council to work as translator processing new arrivals. This employment allows him a small income to purchase food and bare necessities.

Over time, the Ghetto becomes overcrowded. People are shipped away to an unknown place. Thousands are being starved to death or randomly shot on the streets in order to diminish the population of Jews through inhumane acts.

But this is mostly eleven year-old Hannah’s story. We read about her thoughts and longings; about her love of reading and her talent in gymnastics. She is a strong and reflective child, open to adventure and change while accepting of her current position.  The loss of the things and people she loves never diminishes her faith in life and the future.

We glimpse how some German soldiers felt about killing and war; how they were forced into conscription, and into unspeakable acts in contrast to their beliefs and humanity.

The backstories are vivid and realistic. Each family member’s story is reflected, even if in a minor way.  A lot of historical information is incorporated and is a flowing river through the text. Rich Historical Notes are added at the end along with a detailed glossary of words used.

This book is part of the Courage to Care education program which ‘helps us to understand how lives are affected if we let discrimination occur….’ There will be more books of this ilk coming, so look out for them.

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Title: Hannah: My Holocaust Story

Author: Goldie Alexander

Publisher:  Scholastic

Publication Date: March $16.99 RRP

 Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9781743629673

Type: Junior Historical Fiction

Rawr!

by Todd H. Doodler

Being a dinosaur is hard because dinosaurs are so big. Being big can seem scary to kids at school, even to teachers. Big means you don’t easily fit into a desk, or a bus, or even into sports clothes. Then there’s the loud sound of a dinosaur’s Rawr!

But Rawr! means both hello and goodbye. And being big has its benefits. Big can be helpful when playing sport, getting things from up high, and when playing games.

This clever book addresses the differences in people, and how sometimes we feel out of place because we are different. It also shows that acceptance can be an easy and wonderful thing. There are negatives and positives to every situation and what you consider a short-coming, others may see as a benefit.

This thought-provoking book can be utilized as a teaching tool, as it will generate questions and discussion on what it means to be different. 

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

Title: RAWR!

Author: Todd H. Doodler

Publisher: Scholastic Inc., $14.99 RRP

Publication Date: December 2013

Format: Hardcover

ISBN: 9780545511186

For ages: 3+

Type: Picture Book

The Wizard of Rondo

by Emily Rodda


Scholastic. Australian, Junior. Hardback rrp $29.95

Guest Reviewer Jo Burnell

I don’t like fantasy as a rule. I figure there’s enough drama in everyday life without imagining extra difficulties. Then again, I’d never read anything by Emily Rodda.

From the first Chapter, quirky characters leapt from the page and dragged me with them on the adventure of a lifetime. Emily establishes new characters with ease in a few short lines. These characters are three-dimensional. I have no doubts about what they are likely to do and what would be out of character.

Cooking pot is really a spoilt child that whinges until it is carried everywhere. Flying carpet is full of mischief until put in its place and the owner of the camping shop turns into a bear every night.

Leo and Mimi are able to travel back and forth from the real world to Rondo. Leo’s music box transports them while Mimi’s locket directs where they land. There are mysteries to solve, villains to avoid and heroic quests to complete.

The locket is really a Key when it is in Rondo. It possesses greater powers than the children understand, powers that the evil Blue Queen covets. Leo, Mimi and their friends must be careful not to let the key fall into the Queen’s hands. The last time she got hold of it, the whole of Rondo was plunged into an era of great darkness.

If I had one wish, it would be that I had the paperback version of this book. I’m in danger of a broken nose as the arms weaken from holding the book above my head in bed for too long. I just can’t find a boring spot that lets me put the book down.

The Wizard of Rondo is a perfect pick for anyone in Upper Primary School, but kids of all sizes (including adults) will love it too. The constant sprinkling of the slightly ridiculous throughout keeps a smile on the face despite dangerous predicaments. No wonder it is short-listed for the Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Award (Upper Primary).

http://www.emilyrodda.com/

Noodle Pie

by Ruth Starke

Scholastic. Australian, Junior. Paperback rrp $16.99

Guest Reviewer Jo Burnell

It’s never a good idea to be too set in your ways. Staying in a completely different country with unfamiliar customs is a sure way of breaking down barriers and opening the mind. Or is it? Meeting relatives for the first time isn’t easy, especially when it means travelling half way around the world to Vietnam. Andy was born in Australia and thinks like an Australian. Family customs bemuse him, while the pecking order of his many relatives makes no sense at all. Andy’s sense of fairness is challenged and he’s not used to shocks.

The successful family restaurant is not what he imagined. The bustling eat-and-go foodservice has a few short stools for the locals, but it’s not a restaurant by Aussie standards. Dad is wearing gold jewellery that didn’t exist in Australia. Where did that come from? Andy’s family always struggles to pay the bills and make ends meet. Things are not making sense.

Ruth Starke is lavish in her descriptions. You can see, hear, taste and smell as you travel the pages. Some dishes have my mouth watering, while I can’t imagine others at all, no matter how hard I try. Guess I’ll just have to try them for myself.

The wonderful gift of Noodle Pie is the way the cultural barriers are broken down. Preconceived ideas of how things should be done are challenged on both sides – for both Australians and Vietnamese. The custom of saving face at all costs crashes head-on with more basic issues like whether stretching the truth is really a lie. The line between right and wrong can be very thin.

I walk away from Noodle Pie excited by what I have learned and surprised that I have picked up a little wisdom along the way. I was enjoying the reading ride too much to notice. I can’t wait to pick up another book about Vietnam… but wonder if it will hook me in the way Ruth’s modern day dialogue and vibrant characters did.

It’s no surprise that Noodle Pie was short listed for the Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Award.

http://www.ruthstarke.itgo.com/