From: Karen L. Simonetti <karensue>
Date: Tue, 21 Oct 1997 12:08:24 -0500

I feel like the kid in fourth grade who hasn't done her homework assignment, but wants to jump in with an answer anyway. I'm sorry I haven't managed to get my paws on Lily's Crossing , hence my silence this month. But, after reading everyone's posts on the title, I am going to hound a certain group of editors until it appears on my desk. Enough of that...


For me, WWII historical fiction has always meant reading about the Holocaust. I've been doing it since I was nine years old (1965) and for whatever reason find this type of literature the most thought provoking, soothing and inspiring. Its difficult to succiently (and hopefully wisely) summarize some of my favorties. So, here they are in no particular order (ranging from intermediate grades to YA): if anyone wants to discuss any title I'd be more than happy to continue.


 Hide and Seek by Ida Vos

 A Scrap of Time (Short Stories) by Ida Fink

 Wartime Lies by Louis Begley

 The Final Journey by Gudren Pausewang

 The Man From the Other Side by Uri Orlev

 I never saw another butterfly (okay, its poetry, not historical fiction)

 

 I have used all of the above titles with grades 9 and adults (book talks & discussion groups).

What I find particularly satisfying is that 99.992% (the number looks good) of the time, the group has no problem in responding/talking/discussing one of the titles and literature in general. So, for me, that is a dual blessing: the group talks and the love of books are re-discovered.


Karen





Karen L. Simonetti

email: karensue at mcs.net

phone: 312.337.7114

        

"Walk gently, breathe peacefully, laugh hysterically."

        Nelson Mandela, 1994 Inaugural Speech
Received on Tue 21 Oct 1997 12:08:24 PM CDT