Star of Fear, Star of Hope

This book is about a French girl whose best friend, Lydia, is Jewish. It is told by the girl when she is an old woman. She gets angry when Lydia has to leave on the French girl's birthday, not understanding until later that she was taken by the Germans. The last things she says to Lydia is that she hates her for leaving. She never saw Lydia again and doesn't know if she survived. She expresses her guilt that those were her last words and that she didn't have a chance to apologize.
This book was translated from French. It gives a fantastic view of the guilt felt by many Europeans because the didn't protest treatment of the Jews by the Nazis. This isn't a viewpoint that is studied in the United States. It would be a great book to read show more while studying WWII. show less

"In a sensitive and poignant portrayal of the events of the Holocaust, Star of Fear, Star of Hope introduces children to this difficult, but important topic.'Stars at morning, better take warning.
Stars at night, hope is in sight.'Helen recalls her childhood during the Nazi occupation of France and the mounting persecution of the Jewish people.On the eve of her birthday, Helen is excited to celebrate with her best friend Lydia. But when a fearful woman appears at Helen's house, Lydia suddenly wants to go home early, and Helen can't understand why. Does it have to do with the yellow star that both Lydia and this woman are wearing? Why are people in hiding and using strange names? What is Lydia afraid of? Set during the World War II Nazi show more occupation of France, this is a powerful story of friendship, fear, and the hope we must always hold dear." show less

This extraordinarily moving picture book, originally published in France and set in the north of France during World War II, has spare prose and appropriately stark illustrations. An elderly woman recalls an incident in her childhood that she would give anything to undo. Her Jewish friend Lydia is visiting, and, in the middle of the night, a frightened Jewish woman seeking refuge awakens them by pounding on the door of a "safe house" across the hall. Lydia then asks to be taken home. With deep sorrow and guilt, Helen remembers that she shouted at her friend for leaving on the eve of her birthday. Stars are the symbols around which the story turns. Lydia's mother, sewing the yellow star on her daughter's jacket, explains that a new law show more compels Jews to wear them but that "the place for stars is in the sky." The woman in the hall is trying to tear the star off her coat and when Helen, already contrite, opens the birthday present left for her by Lydia, she sees a paper doll with Lydia's face painted on, complete with a wardrobe including a jacket with a star. Helen never sees her friend again and, for a long time, she is angry at the stars.
Review by: School Library Journal show less

“You’re not my friend anymore!” these are careless words of childhood. Words Helen cannot forget; the last words she ever spoke to her nine-year-old friend. She is a grandmother now, telling a story that must be told, “When I’m gone, who will remember Lydia?” Lydia and Helen were best friends in a Nazi occupied France during World War II. Lydia wears the star required of Jews; Helen does not. During Helen’s birthday sleepover, Lydia senses that she needs to be with her family. An angry Helen shouts the words she will never forget. Star of Fear, Star of Hope gives hope that the victims of the Holocaust will never be forgotten. Hope that the world will be a better place. It reminds us that words, once spoken, can never be show more taken back. The muted, hazy illustrations help give the book the feeling that this could be your own, old memory that continues to resurface. A Batchelder award winner, translated from French. show less

Helen, an old woman now, remembers the story of the last time she saw her best friend Lydia, on her ninth birthday. On the eve of WWII, Jewish Lydia leaves Helen's sleepover to return home, but Helen never sees or hears from her again. I like how this story is told from the perspective of an old woman reminiscing on her childhood friend. This story would be great to share with a 2-4 grade classroom to show the tragedy and separation that the Holocaust brought and how it affected not only the Jewish, but their friends too, such as Helen.

In 1942, in Nazi-occupied France, Helen invites her best friend, Lydia for a sleep over. During the night, strangers tap on the door, calling out strange passwords. Word reaches the family that Jews are being rounded-up and arrested. Lydia, fearing for her family, rushes home. Upset, Helen says "You're not my friend anymore!" Sadly, she never sees Lydia again. For the rest of her life, Helen regrets the last words spoken between them, and hopes "with all my heart" that Lydia has survived.

This is a powerfully written book. One that reminds us of the importance of friendship and partings. It also is a good starting point for discussions regarding the Holocaust, without providing the gory and horrific details. Overall, I highly recommend show more this book. show less

I can't think of a time in my life when I *didn't* know about the Holocaust.

There must have been such a time, nobody takes their three year old kid and one day decides to tell them of horrific things, but I can't recall it.

My nieces are 5 and 2.5, and the older one is right about the time when she should be learning about serious subjects.

This is, I think, a good introduction to what is a very serious subject indeed.

The reality of the Holocaust isn't diluted, but it's told at a level that's appropriate for small children - losing a friend and lifelong regret, and you know she didn't survive, but that's not spelled out.

Whenever you decide it's appropriate to start talking to your kids about this sort of subject, consider this book.