Description:

The Second World War was a time of terrible injustices. It was also a time of incredible bravery. *My Canary Yellow Star* is the remarkable story of one of the last century’s greatest heroes, Raoul Wallenberg, who was responsible for saving as many as 100,000 lives. Young Marta’s life in Budapest has been shattered by the war. First, her school closes. Jews are prohibited from attending classes. Then her father, along with other able-bodied men, is arrested and sent to work digging ditches on the eastern front. The family’s apartment is confiscated, and Marta, her brother, and her mother must share cramped space with her aunt and cousin. Food, warm clothing, and any kind of personal freedom have all but vanished. Jewish life becomes more and more confined as the old people, women, and children are forced into the ghetto. From there, the next step is the waiting cattle cars and the concentration camps. But Marta’s family is lucky. They are numbered among those who could be saved by the efforts of Raoul Wallenberg. Among the few points of hope was this extraordinary Swedish diplomat. Raoul Wallenberg issued papers to thousands of Jews, declaring them to be Swedish citizens. Wallenberg was questioned by the Russians after the war and disappeared, possibly to die in Siberia. An international movement has been in place for decades to press Russia for news of his fate. Although details of his death remain a mystery, he has come to represent courage and justice in the face of great evil. *From the Trade Paperback edition.* ** ### From School Library Journal Grade 5 Up-In 1944, in Budapest, Swedish Diplomat Raoul Wallenberg saved thousands of Jews from deportation to concentration camps by supplying them with Swedish passports. This novel is told from the perspective of Marta, a Jewish girl whose life is saved on several occasions by his intervention. Unfortunately, what could be a fascinating story about resistance to the Nazis becomes bogged down by too many subplots and underrealized supporting characters. Dialogue, rather than action, moves the plot, and Marta tells readers how she feels about the events around her, rather than reacting to them. The novel ends with the Soviet liberation of the city and a historical note details Wallenberg's exploits. An error in the historical note, however, states that Hungary was liberated in January 1944, not 1945. Lois Lowry's Number the Stars (Houghton, 1989) and Renee Roth-Hano's Touch Wood (Four Winds, 1988; o.p.) are more emotional and moving accounts of Jewish rescue from the Nazis. *Martha Link, Louisville Free Public Library, KY* Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. ### From Booklist Gr. 8-12. On a sunny day in March 1944, Marta Weisz's Jewish school is dismissed for the year: Germany has invaded Hungary. Her happy, privileged life as the daughter of a wealthy Budapest surgeon is over. But Marta is a teenager to be reckoned with--strong-willed, clever, and a risk taker. She is also in love with Peter--who is a gentile. Marta continues to see Peter, despite prohibitions, even covering her canary yellow star to go dancing with him. Things grow worse: Peter disappears, food becomes scarce, and the Weiszes are evicted. Then Marta hears about an obscure diplomat, Raoul Wallenberg, who may be able to help her family. The otherwise moving, atmospheric story ends on a rather abrupt note, but Weisman capably conveys the gradually building terror Jews in Budapest endured and the way some fought back. Girls will be drawn to courageous Marta, her romance, and her indomitable spirit. *Jean Franklin* *Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved*