William Kaplan

It's 1939, and Memel, Lithuania, is no longer safe for Jewish families like the Kaplans. Nazi troops have overtaken much of Europe, and hundreds of thousands of Jews have tried to flee Hitler's advance. Most do not succeed. The Kaplans — Igor, his little sister, Nomi, and their parents, Bernard and Nadja — are determined to survive. Staying one small step ahead of the German troops, they encounter the legendary Japanese consul Chiune Sugihara, who manages to finagle exit visas for the entire family — everyone, that is, except for the Russian-born Mrs. Kaplan, who must somehow secure her own papers. Can she succeed where so many have failed, and find refuge with her family, or will she meet the grim fate of millions of other Jews? The Kaplans' desperate attempts to obtain safe passage, and their harrowing journey three-quarters of the way around the world, on ship and on the Trans-Siberian Express, form a riveting narrative that puts a personal face on the often-overwhelming human tragedy that is the Holocaust.… (more)

I absolutely loved One More Border. It tells the story of a family and their journey from Lithuania to Russia, Russia to Japan and ends with their arrival in Canada. The Kaplan family decides to leave their hometown of Memel as Hitler's advances grow closer and closer to their home. They take an incredible journey aboard boats, trains and the Trans Siberian railroad. After many struggles obtaining visas, they finally arrive in Canada where they are finally free from persecution. The book contained photos, maps and historical excerpts that helped develop the story further and gave readers an insight into what that time period was like for those of Jewish descent. The narrative was gripping and kept me engaged throughout, as I hoped the family would overcome the many obstacles presented to them. It is truly an inspiring and educational read.… (more)

One more border is a nonfiction picture storybook that details the escape journey of one family out of war-torn Europe all the way through Russia and onto Japan. The story tells of the family's struggles and their worries about not obtaining a visa in order to leave Lithuania. This book includes both illustrations, as well as original photographs from the 1930s and 1940s. Even though it is a picture storybook, this book can be used as a great resource for students in K-12; it provides an insight look into a young boy's feelings as his family travels across the country, and in some cases he does not understand the severity of his situation. This book can be used as an introduction to the Holocaust in a high school class, or as a book to read to younger grades to help them understand how difficult the war was for Jews trying to escape Europe.… (more)