Just a Girl: A True Story of World War II - Lia Levi

Just a Girl: A True Story of World War II - Lia Levi

Bibliography: 

Levi, L., Mason, J., & Notini, S. (2022). Just a girl: A true story of world war ii. Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers.

Plot Summary: 

The author recalls her experiences coming of age in Fascist Italy during World War II as she, along with her sisters, hid in a convent where she tried to come to terms with her new life while longing to be "just a girl."

Critical Analysis:

Throughout the book, Lia sees herself as a "Jewish girl." It is her Jewishness that marks her. Her life is turned upside down and inside out because she is Jewish. Every single change--all of them damaging and devastating--is because she (and her family) were/are Jewish. But by the end of the book, by the end of the war, she can be JUST A GIRL. She no longer has to be labeled and defined. She can just be herself.

My thoughts: I definitely enjoyed this one. I do think books about the second world war, and specifically books about Jewish experiences during the second world war, should be written for ALL age audiences. There are plenty that are appropriate (you could even argue necessary and important) for middle school audiences on up. There are fewer books written for elementary audiences, in particular for third to fourth graders.

I thought the book had a good, strong narrative. I felt it was gentle at times. But it was definitely straightforward as well. It didn't paint it as a lovely-lovely glorious time. It didn't shy away from the harshness of the times.

Review Excerpt: 

Kirkus (starred review)

Lia’s young voice is perceptive and heartbreakingly vulnerable as she recounts her steadfast, even cheerful, acceptance of the changes in her life amid the insanity around her. A remarkable, powerful young readers’ adaptation of an award-winning World War II memoir.

Booklist (starred review)

A quiet Jewish Italian child uprooted by war proves resilient in this endearing illustrated memoir...This account is neither rose colored nor naive, but it also doesn't focus unduly on the pain of Lia's Holocaust experience. [An] excellent step beyond Peter Sís’ Nicky and Vera (2021) for sensitive readers and gives voice to an underrepresented nationality among Holocaust survivor stories.

Horn Book Magazine

The quick, deft storytelling is that of a gifted, experienced narrator...Lia’s impressions of her different schools, new friendships, and the conditions war brings about speak to children’s interests.

School Library Journal

Heartbreaking and sweet… Levi’s story is perfect for young children who want to learn more about the Holocaust, but aren’t ready for the more horrific details. An excellent addition to elementary memoir and World War II collections.

Connections:

Jewish Children in the Holocaust

Adaptations from Italian

Personal Narratives/Autobiographies