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.