It is 1944 in New York City, and Alan Silverman doesn’t want to give up his afternoon stickball game for anyone—especially not to make friends with crazy-acting Naomi Kirshenbaum. But when he sees Naomi’s haunted face and hears about her horrifying experiences during the war in German-occupied France, Alan changes his mind. Slowly he struggles to make Naomi speak to him, and one day—miraculously—she begins to trust him. Soon they share homework and games, as well as their deepest feelings. Alan finds that Naomi is not only intelligent, but also funny and fun to be with. Alan’s world changes and grows with the friendship. But the scars and fears of the Nazis are still very much with Naomi, and Alan must reach even deeper into himself for understanding.
Reviews and Awards:
“A poignant double portrait of a boy and girl whose lives are changed by the terrible events of the Holocaust. Honest, compassionate writing.” — The New York Times
American Library Association: Best of the Best for Children
New York Times: Best Books for Children
Young Adult Library Services Association: Best of the Best List
National Awards for Children’s Books: Holland, Austria, and Germany
A National Book Award Finalist
