JOURNEY TO AMERICA

by Sonia Levitin ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 20, 1970

Nothing that begins with ""Good-bye to Papa"" in Berlin on February 7, 1938 and ends on a New York pier almost a year later is really a story--but to Mrs. Levitin's credit she brings history home. For twelve-year-old Lisa, journeying with Mama and Ruth and Annie to rejoin Papa, the year shapes up as a following after suitcases, ""the last and only familiar thing""--to the Swiss-bound train and ""Jews out for inspection,"" to a grim room in a Zurich boarding house, to a desolate camp for refugee children, to the Werfels' snug farm and Erica's chatty confidences, to the office of the American consul, the passport photographer's, a hostel in Paris, the chaotic dock, the pitching ship, the landing. . . Mama buckles at news of the November massacre back in Berlin (""Helga, my beautiful aunt who was always so gay,"" disbelieves Lisa), builds a snowman in the street--""Don't be so stuffy, Lisa""--when the passport photos are promised; rebellious Ruth 'asks for some more' at the refugee camp; perky little Annie wets her bed the first night in Zurich. And Lisa wonders if the Werfels are so good because they're Catholics--until Erica asks her if all Jewish girls are as good as she. People being people give Journey to America a special glow.

Pub Date: March 20, 1970

ISBN: 0689711301

Page Count: -

Publisher: Atheneum

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1970

Categories: FICTION