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Hana's Suitcase: A True Story
CCBC Review:
Fumiko Ishioka was director of the recently established Tokyo Holocaust Center in 1998. In response to Fumiko's request for items to exhibit, the Center had received a small box of objects from Auschwitz that included a child's suitcase with the name Hana Brady and her birthdate: May 16, 1931. The suitcase inspired the curiosity and compassion of Fumiko and the children to whom she showed it. In alternating chapters two stories unfold. One is tender and ultimately tragic as it chronicles Hana's early life and what happened after the Nazi's invaded her homeland. The other is intriguing, and ultimately extraordinary, as it follows the efforts of Fumiko to uncover Hana's story over the course of two years when all she had was a name with which to start. Fumiko finally learns that Hana died at Auschwitz, but her older brother, George, survived the war and is still alive. ©2003 Cooperative Children's Book Center
CCBC Age Recommendation: Age 12 and older
Age Range:
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Grades 9-12 (Age 14 and older)
Format:
Substantial Narrative Non-Fiction
Subjects:
20th Century
Empathy and Compassion
History (Nonfiction)
Holocaust
Japanese and Japanese Americans
Jewish People
Mysteries
World War II
Diversity subject:
Asian
Jewish
Publisher:
Albert Whitman
Publish Year: 2003
Pages: 109
ISBN: 0807531480
CCBC Location: Non-Fiction, 940 Levine