Just a Girl: A True Story of World War II
Levi, Lia. 2022. Just a Girl: A True Story of World War II. Ill. by Jesse Mason. Harper Collins. New York, NY. ISBN 978-0063065086
PLOT SUMMARY
Just a Girl: A True Story of World War II is a story of young Lia, a Jewish Italian girl, whose family is caught up in the terrifying ordeal of World War II. Lia begins her journey as a taciturn young girl, often referring to herself as a silent, soft-spoken bird who simply chirps. Her family is forced to move from Turin to Milan and later to the outskirts of Rome to hide from the Nazi soldiers as they invade Italy. Although she is only 11 years old, she can comprehend how life has changed so drastically. Her parents sent her and her sisters into hiding at a boarding school, where she learns that many other children are left with only this option. Separated from her parents, she learns to make the best out of the situation and patiently awaits for her parents to come back and reunite the family. As they wait, they hear about the American soldiers who have come into Italy to save the Jewish community.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Just a Girl: A True Story of World War II was a memoir written for a young audience to understand the situation that Jewish communities encountered during Mussolini's Italian regime. Throughout the book, Lia’s innocence is established through her humorous and childish remarks. The book is written in 2nd person point of view as the author often questions and pulls the audience in to make them part of her story. Although she lives through a difficult situation, she makes sure to recall specific details that make her childhood appear normal and even pleasant.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Kirkus Reviews (starred review) –"Lia’s young voice is perceptive and heartbreakingly vulnerable as she recounts her steadfast, even cheerful, acceptance of the changes in her life amid the insanity around her. A remarkable, powerful young readers’ adaptation of an award-winning World War II memoir."
Awards:
Mildred L. Batchelder Award in 2023
CONNECTIONS
This book reminds us of the importance of historical events that have led to destructive periods in time.
Other related books:
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Activity: Have students color a map identifying countries with Jewish communities that were affected by World War II.
Koala Lou
Fox, Mem. 1994. Koala Lou. Ill. by Pamela Lofts. Clarion Books. New York, NY. ISBN 978-0152000769
PLOT SUMMARY
Koala Lou is a story about a young Koala who loves spending time with her Koala mom. As time passes by and more siblings join the family, Koala Lou yearns for his mother’s affection. Even though she is loved by all the animals, such as the platypus and the emu, her biggest desire is for her mother to take time to show her how much she is loved. Koala Lou decides to join the Bush Olympics so that she can win the gum tree climbing race, so her mother can pay attention to her. Unfortunately, things take a different turn. Koala Lou realizes that her mother loves her even if she is spending less time with her.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The book shares a specific theme that is repeated throughout: “Koala Lou, I DO love you.” This centers upon the author’s main message that no matter what you do, whether you win or lose, your parents will always love you. The author chooses to use several Australian animals such as the emu, koala, and kookaburras. The illustrations throughout the book use vivid colors and detailed images of animals and vegetation in the surrounding areas. The illustrator uses a humorous flair by adding hats to all the spectator animals during the competition.
REVIEWS
The Horn Book- “a first-rate choice for bedtime, story hour, or reading aloud.”
Kirkus Reviews- “Another winner from one of Australia’s favorite authors.
CONNECTIONS
This book reminds us of the different struggles that we can encounter in life. Even though we do our best to achieve our goals, sometimes we may have difficulties persevering, but there is always a lesson to learn.
It also shows that our loved ones show their love for us in many ways.
Other related books:
Possum Magic by Mem Fox
Wombat Stew by Marcia K. Vaughan
Activity: Students can research the variety of animals mentioned in the story and describe their habitat, diet, and provide details about their lives.
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Catch That Chicken!
Atinuke.2022. Catch That Chicken!. Ill. by Angela Brooksbank. Candlewick. Somerville, MA. ISBN 978-1536228045
PLOT SUMMARY
Catch That Chicken! is a humorous story of a young girl, Lami, who lives in a Nigerian Village. She is the best chicken catcher in the village and loves to run around doing what she does best. She realizes other young villagers are quick at other things, such as braiding hair or mastering spelling words, but she is proud to be the fastest at catching chickens. Until one day, she sprints too fast up a baobab tree and ends up falling and injuring her ankle. Nana Nadia shares some wise words with her and makes Lami realize that it is not quick feet but quick thinking that helps you achieve your goals.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Catch That Chicken! portrays the life of young Nigerian villagers through detailed pictures. Lami is seen as an active girl chasing chickens throughout her busy village, but we also get a glimpse of villagers' lives as they carry on with their daily chores. In one picture, the illustrator depicts the entire compound, where a teacher reads under a tree with a group of students gathered around her. Her brother, Bilar, bravely attends and guides the bulls, while her friend Fatima braids the hair of the younger children. The colorful and vivid clothing and hair pieces resemble the Nigerian culture. The Nigerian women surrounded by small shacks with clothes hanging out on drying lines show their chaotic and hard-working days tending to their chores. The author uses figurative language in the form of alliteration, onomatopoeia, and similes to give a more playful scene. The author uses Nigerian language when she calls out to Lami, “Sannu… Sannu”. Which is translated into slow down, slow down. The theme in the book is to use quick thinking to solve problems.
REVIEWS
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)- A fun-filled, culturally rich talent that will delight readers, young and older.
School Library Journal - Set in a beautiful Nigerian village, this tale highlights the ingenuity of children in a humorous and lively manner. Many valuable lessons are embedded into the narrative, and readers will be inspired by Lami’s resilience.
Awards:
USBBY Outstanding International Book 2021
CONNECTIONS
- This novel shows a community of people working together. It reminds you of a neighborhood with children.
Other related books:
Baby Goes to Market by Atinuke
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
Activity:
Students can choose to write a journal entry comparing themselves to a child from the village and describing what they do best.
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The Time of Green Magic
Mckay, Hilary. 2020. The Time of Green Magic. Margaret K. McElderry Books. New York, NY. ISBN 978-1534462786
PLOT SUMMARY
The Time of Green Magic is a story of a young girl named Abigail who learns to adapt to a change in her life, when her father, Theo, marries Polly. Abi needs to learn to accept that her life revolves around her younger stepbrother, Louis, and her older stepbrother, Max. Although changes have crept into her life, Abi finds comfort in books. Eventually, the blended family moves into an eerie ivy-covered house, and Polly, her stepmother, has found a new job that takes her away from home for many months. Louis misses her mother and feels lonely. One day, he begins to hear creepy sounds coming from the ivy outside the window and captures a glimpse of a strange-looking creature. This creature frightens Louis, but he soon realizes that he can make a new friend who can fill his solitary days. Louis also discovers that his creature friend, Iffen, can become aggressive at times. Louis is the only one who can see Iffen, the creature, until Abi discovers something unusual in Louis’s sheets and a strange scratch on his leg. Abi also realizes that there is some form of magic in the house because when she reads her books, she magically feels transported into the setting of the book. Together, Max and Abi try to find a solution to protect their younger brother from this strange creature.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The author employs imagery throughout the book to provide a vivid description of the story's setting. Although the house is part of the setting, it almost seems to be alive as it becomes a separate character. The way the ivy moves with the wind and the presence of a mythical creature create a sense of suspense and thrill. Each character is trying to navigate through new changes in their lives, which adds to the themes in the story. Louis feels abandoned by his mother and is constantly living in fear. Abi feels displaced by her father as he takes care of his new stepchildren. She sometimes even feels jealous of her father’s attention towards Louis. Max feels a sense of anger with the changes that have happened in his life, and feels lost. At the end, the children learn to care for one another and realize that family is everything.
REVIEWS
The New York Times Book Review- “Utterly enchanting… an instant classic.”
School Library Journal, starred review- “A perfect mix of magic and realism.”
Booklist Starred Review- “ A memorable family story”
Awards:
Kirkus Review best book of the year
USBBY Outstanding International Books Honor List
CONNECTIONS
This book shows the difficulty children encounter when changes happen in their lives, such as the loss of a parent or a parent remarrying. Children can sometimes struggle and feel lost when they become part of a blended family.
Other related books:
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
The Land of Roar by Jenny McLachlan
Activity:
Students can illustrate a make-believe animal and write a short story about the animal.
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