Journey to America

Journey to America follows the Platt family - mother and three daughters - as they attempt to escape Nazi Germany in 1938. Their father has already fled to Switzerland, and the rest of the family must navigate increasingly dangerous circumstances to reunite with him. The story centers on Lisa Platt, the middle daughter, as she and her family sell their possessions, obtain papers, and make their way through Europe. Along their journey, they face hardships and rely on the kindness of strangers while trying to maintain their Jewish faith and family bonds. Through Lisa's perspective, the novel depicts daily life under the Nazi regime and the mounting pressure on Jewish families to leave their homes. The historical events serve as a backdrop to explore themes of family loyalty, religious identity, and the universal desire for safety and freedom.

Readers describe this as an engaging Holocaust story aimed at middle-grade students, with many noting they read it in school. The book resonates with young readers through its child's perspective and relatable family dynamics. Readers appreciated: - Historical accuracy and educational value - Age-appropriate handling of serious themes - Strong female protagonist - Focus on family relationships Common criticisms: - Some found the pacing slow in the first third - Characters could be more developed - Ending felt rushed to some readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (100+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "Helped my students understand this period of history without being too graphic" - Teacher on Amazon "Lisa's voice feels authentic to a 12-year-old" - Goodreads reviewer "Would have liked more details about their life after arriving" - Amazon reviewer

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🌟 Author Sonia Levitin based this novel on her own family's escape from Nazi Germany in 1938 🌟 The book won the Jewish Book Council's National Jewish Book Award in 1970 🌟 The story highlights the little-known role of Switzerland as a temporary safe haven for Jewish refugees during World War II 🌟 Many details in the book, including hiding valuables in dress hems and leaving beloved toys behind, were drawn from actual refugee accounts 🌟 The novel is part of a trilogy, followed by "Silver Days" and "Annie's Promise," which continue to follow the Platt family's journey in America