Illustrated on every page by El Primo Ramon, this short
book for young readers explains the troubled times in Europe
before and during the Second World War. Hedy, a teenage
girl from a family with a shop, learns that the frightening
changes of power mean she and her family are in grave
danger.
HEDY'S JOURNEY comes about when the family decide it would
be wise to leave Hungary as the Nazis are rounding up,
first Jews who are not Hungarian citizens - like Hedy's
cousin Marika - and soon all Jewish residents, too. They are
constantly under suspicion, robbed and abandoned, with no
real option but to keep on the move. Will they make it to
safety in America?
Michelle Bisson explains at the end that this is the true
story of her mother. Her family is representative of
many who were persecuted in those dark days. She includes
some family photos. I found the story moving and inspiring
as proof that good will outlast evil. The drawings are
elegant and sometimes amusing, showing us what kind of
clothing people wore mid-twentieth century and many changes
of scenery.
HEDY'S JOURNEY is a highly educational book, with a heroine
that young people can understand and with a story
sufficiently gripping to make them keep turning the pages.
Serious evil is hinted at but kept off the visible pages,
and good, brave souls are shown helping those in need.
Maybe this lesson can be applied to today's life as well. I
recommend this for class or family reading. Parents
should be prepared to have a discussion with young readers
about the Holocaust.
It is 1941. Hedy and her family are Jewish, and the Nazi
party is rising. Hedy's family is no longer safe in their
home in Hungary. They decide to flee to America, but because
of their circumstances, sixteen-year-old Hedy must make her
way through Europe alone. Will luck be with her? Will she be
brave? Join Hedy on her journey-where she encounters good
fortune and misfortune, a kind helper and cruel soldiers, a
reunion and a tragedy-and discover how Hedy is both lucky
and brave. Hedy's Journey adds an important voice to the
canon of Holocaust stories, and her courage will make a
lasting impact on young readers.
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