Black Radishes
Black Radishes by Susan Lynn Meyer, published by Random House Children’s Books on November 8, 2011, is an illustrated work that presents a suspenseful story set during World War II. The narrative follows Gustave, a young boy grappling with his identity as a Jewish child in France amidst the turmoil of Nazi occupation. Reluctantly moving from Paris to the countryside, Gustave faces the challenges of a changing world and the dangers that come with being Jewish during this perilous time.
Readers will find a compelling exploration of friendship, bravery, and the complexities of identity as Gustave navigates his new reality. The story highlights his determination to help his friends escape the occupied zone, showcasing the risks involved in standing against oppression. With themes rooted in historical events, this edition of Black Radishes offers insight into the experiences of Jewish families in Europe during the Holocaust, making it a significant addition to juvenile fiction in this genre.
Official synopsis Publisher
Sydney Taylor Honor Award Winner Black Radishes is a suspenseful WWII/Holocaust story, in which one boy learns what it means to be Jewish and French at a time when everything is changing.
Gustave doesn’t want to move from the exciting city to the boring countryside, far from his cousin Jean-Paul and his best friend, the mischievous Marcel. But he has no choice. It is March of 1940, and Paris is not a safe place for Jews.
When Paris is captured by the Nazis, Gustave knows that Marcel, Jean-Paul, and their families must make it out of the occupied zone. And when he learns that his new friend Nicole works for the French Resistance, he comes up with a plan that just might work. But going into Occupied France is a risky thing to do when you are Jewish. And coming back alive? That is nearly impossible.
And don’t miss Skating with the Statue of Liberty, the gripping and poignant companion to Black Radishes, which follows Gustave as he embarks on new adventures in New York City.
Praise for Black Radishes
“Full of tension, this coming-of-age story presents a picture of life during the early days of World War II.”-Bulletin
“An excellent recent novel that can introduce readers to a wider world. . . . Meyer builds the tension by using real-life events (detailed in an author’s note) and creates in Gustave a very believable boy who behaves bravely when he must.”–The Horn Book
“Meyer shines light on the bravery of Resistance fighters, and her story…[is] a gripping read comparable to Marilyn Sachs’s classic A Pocket Full of Seeds, Carol Matas’s Greater Than Angels, and Norma Fox Mazer’s Good Night, Maman.”-SLJ
“Partly based on Meyer’s father’s experiences, the story derives its credibility from the vivid details…[a] fine first novel.“-Booklist
“This debut novel, loosely based on the author’s father’s experiences,…raises important questions about nationalism, equality and identity and fills a void in Holocaust literature for this age group.”-Kirkus Reviews
A Sydney Taylor Honor Award Winner
A Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Book of the Year
An Instructor Magazine Best Kids’ Historical Fiction Book
A Massachusetts Book Awar Must-Read Book
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