THE PEBBLE

A boy describes love and devastating loss.

In summer 1943, in Vilnius, Lithuania (identified as such in the backmatter), a Jewish boy named Eitan opens his narrative with an anecdote about flying his yellow kite with Rivka, his best friend and “the bravest girl in the whole world.” He and Rivka wear yellow stars on their clothing; townsfolk wear the same. Eitan speaks of big black birds in his town that, in a frequently invoked metaphor, he compares to “men in black uniforms” who “built a wall and closed the gates.” Nobody who entered “ever came home”—like his Papa. Sometimes, “whole families” passed through. One day Rivka’s family is gone. Next, Eitan says, “it was our turn to walk through the gates.” Darkness descends; years pass; Eitan sleeps and becomes a pebble. In a final scene, an old woman and her grandchild visit a cemetery, where the woman—subtly identified as Rivka—places the pebble on a grave because “his place is here, with his family.” Translated from Lithuanian, this is a poignant allegory about the Holocaust, but some symbolism may elude children. Eitan’s voice is matter-of-fact and dispassionate. Illustrations exude a folkloric feel; town scenes suggest enclosed spaces. Yellow and black represent Stars of David and horror, respectively. A moving epilogue discusses the Holocaust and explains why pebbles are placed on Jewish gravestones. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A somber and affecting Holocaust account, though the intended audience may find it a bit cryptic.