#second story press

[jewishbookworld]

Under the Iron Bridge by Kathy Kac­er

Under the Iron Bridge by Kathy Kac­er

It’s 1938 in Dusseldorf, Germany, and Paul is feeling pressured to join the Hitler Youth. The last thing he wants to do is march around with a bunch of bullies, supporting the Gestapo and abusing the city’s Jews, but even Paul’s parents think he should go along with his classmates in order to keep himself safe. Just when he’s starting to despair, Paul meets the Edelweiss Pirates, a group of…

[whimsicaldragonette]

ARC Review: Ciel by Sophie Labelle

Find it at Goodreads and Amazon.

I was actually a little disappointed by this one. I really enjoy Sophie Labelle's comics and so I jumped at the chance to read this one early, but I had some issues with it. The characters feel so young! They're in their freshman year of high school, so I guess they are young, and I think this is aimed at middle-grade readers, but then they talk about being in love and dating for two years and like, they're children. Also it's like one long stream-of-consciousness (with multiple topic jumps per paragraph) of a 12-13 year-old on a massive sugar high. It's a bit hard to get into because of that. It also... meanders without a clear plot. It's more of a this happened, then this happened, then this happened, the end. So it feels both authentic to the experience of a young teenager but also not the most satisfying thing to read as nothing really wraps up and not much changes. I think it would have actually worked better as a series of comics. The thing I really like about this book is that it deals with some important issues: what it's like to be trans and nonbinary when a freshman in high school and how to decide whether to be visibly out or not. The different ways Stephie and Ciel approached that were interesting to explore. And the message I got from it of being your authentic self and not being afraid of standing out is a good one. It also deals well with the topic of subtle and more overt transphobia. 

I would definitely give it to middle-grade and high school kids who are questioning their gender identity - and really any kids in maybe 6th-12th grade who could use a broadening of perspective. I do think it woudn't be as jarring to read for them as it was for me since it's been a while since I was in high school. *Thanks to Netgalley and Second Story Press for providing an e-arc to review.                                              

[stephaniejoanneus]

What Makes Girls Sick and Tired by Lucile de Pesloüan, illustrated by Geneviève Darling

What Makes Girls Sick and Tired by Lucile de Pesloüan, illustrated by Geneviève Darling

What Makes Girls Sick and Tired by Lucile de Pesloüan, illustrated by Geneviève Darling. Translated by Emma Rodgers. Second Story Press, 2019. 9781772600964

Format: Paperback

Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4

What did you like about the book? This French Canadian import “… hopes to offer a wake-up call to everyday sexism …” By showing through a clever cartoon image, and tellin…

[yacovergalore]

[thebookwars]

Jennifer Gold's Soldier Doll

Jennifer Gold’s Soldier Doll

  I received this copy of Soldier Girl from Second Story Press when I visited back in June and I slotted it in for Historical Fiction month. I have to say, again, I am loving Historical Fiction month – I’m getting to books that have been on my shelf for far too long, and I am loving them.

Excerpt:

Meg took a deep breath. “Hold my hands,” she said quietly.

Meg grasped Ned’s hands and held them…

[jewishbookworld]

Names in a Jar by Jen­nifer Gold

Names in a Jar by Jen­nifer Gold

Twelve-year-old Anna Krawitz is imprisoned in the Warsaw Ghetto with her older sister, Lina, and their father. Happy days spent reading about anatomy and science in Papa’s bookshop are long gone, and the knowledge they have is used to help their neighbors through the illnesses caused by starvation and war. With no hope in sight and supplies dwindling, Anna finds herself taking care of an…

[jewishbookworld]

Jacob and the Man­dolin Adventure by Anne Dublin

Jacob and the Man­dolin Adventure by Anne Dublin

Thirteen-year-old Jacob’s life is hard in 1920s Poland, where he lives in an orphanage for Jewish children. His days are brightened by playing in the orphanage mandolin orchestra. When an American benefactor arrives with the promise of a new life in Canada at a farm school, Jacob and his friends are thrilled. But can they trust this man to keep his promises? The children travel by train and by…

[stephaniejoanneus]

A Friend Like Iggy by Kathryn Cole, photography by Ian Richards

A Friend Like Iggy by Kathryn Cole, photography by Ian Richards

A Friend Like Iggy by Kathryn Cole, photography by Ian Richards. Second Story Press, 9781772600841, 2019

Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4

Format: Hardcover picture book

What did you like about the book?  Realistic large photos of an adorable gentle giant named Iggy who works as an accredited facilitator dog. He hangs out with children who have to prepare for or testify in…

[jewishbookworld]

The Promise Pnina by Bat Zvi & Margie Wolfe Illustrator: Isabelle Cardinal The night that Rachel and Toby's parents are taken away by the Nazis, they give their daughters three gold coins.

[jewishbookworld]

When We Were Shadows by Janet Wees Walter is a young child when his parents decide to leave their home in Germany and start a new life in the Netherlands.

[jewishbookworld]

All About Anne by The Anne Frank House Illustrator Huck Scarry Anne Frank's life story is told by answering the most frequently asked questions posed by young people visiting the Anne Frank House Museum in Amsterdam.

[jewishbookworld]

Fania’s Heart by Anne Renaud Richard Rudnicki, illustrator Ten-year-old Sorale discovers a tiny heart-shaped book among her mother's belongings. Its pages are shaped like four-petaled flowers, upon which are written words in languages Sorale does not understand.

[jewishbookworld]

A Cage Without Bars by Anne Dublin

A Cage Without Bars by Anne Dublin

In 1492, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain signed the Edict of Expulsion, giving all Jews three months to leave the country. In the aftermath, twelve-year-old Joseph escapes to Lisbon, Portugal with his parents and younger sister, Gracia. After only eight months of safety, Joseph and Gracia, along with hundreds of other Jewish children, are kidnapped from the port in Lisbon and put on a…