Hedy's Journey

August 1, 2017

Gr 2-5-These two additions to the series center on refugee stories in an accessible picture book format. Hedy's Journey is based on the author's mother's account of fleeing to the United States as a teen during the Holocaust-and all of the tribulations in between. Bisson effectively communicates the high level of stress and danger, while also emphasizing the value of love and family. The illustrator's color palette of gray, sepia, and a subdued dusty pink (for Hedy's clothing) suits the historical time period. There are no swastika's depicted in the illustrations. Kunkush is the true story of a cat who was reunited with his family of Iraqi refugees after being separated from them when they reached the shore of the Greek island Lesbos. Ventura's narrative follows Kunkush and the amazing network of people who worked to bring him back to his owners. Guo's graphic design-like artwork is suffused with light and shadow, blues and oranges. Overall, the entries are a bit text heavy but should work well in a small group or one-on-one setting.

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 15, 2017
Grades 3-5 Books in the Encounter: Narrative Nonfiction Stories series tell true stories with historical settings. Introducing two wartime refugee families, these new entries offer stories of hardships, fears, and separation, and each ends well. Hedy's Journey opens in 1941, with a Jewish family fleeing Poland, all except teenage Hedy, who leaves soon afterward. After a frightening railway journey through Germany, she reunites with her parent and brother in Lisbon. Though discouraged by continuing difficulties, they escape to America. Bisson writes with great immediacy about Hedy, who was her mother. The author's note on Holocaust history is a personal one of learning her family's story over time. The attractive artwork suggests the time period while dramatizing the characters' emotions effectively. This handsome series both dramatizes and personalizes history through the experiences of individuals.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)