A cute story, not heavy with details about the holocaust. A story about revenge. It was a fast read. ( )

I'm not sure how I'll remember this book in years to come. On some level, it's an accessible read about the Holocaust and possibly a good jumping-off point for parents and their children, but the subject matter is almost too terrifying. The story didn't always hang together for me, either, although the writing was solid. ( )

When I think of Sid Fleischman’s books, I think – humor. This one is a little different. It certainly has its entertaining elements, but the underlying story is serious.

Freddie is a ventriloquist. Unfortunately, not a very good one. A solider in World War II, Freddie hangs around Europe after the war to ply his trade. One day a ghost shows up in the closet. It’s the ghost of a Jewish boy killed by Nazis, who is looking for revenge. Or perhaps “justice” is a better word. He becomes a dybbuk, a spirit who inhabits a living body. Freddie’s. Freddie doesn’t really know much about Jews, but he gets some lessons pretty quickly. He gets one more thing – the ability to throw his voice without moving his lips, because the voice is the dybbuk’s, not his own. This is historical fiction with an unusual slant. ( )

Story of a not very talented ventriloquist who is possessed by the ghost of a young boy, Avrom Amos, killed during the Holocaust. The ghost helps the ventriloquist to become a better performer and then persuades the ventriloquist to help him find the SS officer that killed him and bring him to justice. This book may not appeal to most students but maybe if marketed as a murder mystery?? ( )

Obviously a deeply personal book by Sid Fleischman, this Holocaust-related story is a great way to keep the memories alive for the next generation. ( )