7.5/10, what a masterpiece, just like Wonder. ( )

Trigger Warnings: Holocaust

In White Bird, readers are told Julian’s (who you meet in Wonder) Grandmère’s story as a young Jewish girl hidden away in the barn of a classmate’s in Nazi-occupied France during World War II.

I’ve been meaning to read this book for a while now and I needed something I knew I would enjoy before my next read. So, I grabbed this from my library.

There is a bit of a tie in to events in recent days. Which brings up the quote shared at the very beginning of the book,

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” - George Santayana.

I don’t think the author is pointing at comparing what’s happening at the US/Mexico border to the Holocaust as a whole, but more of what the beginning of it looked like. The main character, Sara even mentions the fact that even though she was limited to certain places, or stopped from going into others, that it didn’t really bother her at the beginning. Overall, there is no reason to be unjust to any specific group of people.

I enjoyed the story and how it was told, especially for the middle grade age group it’s targeted for. Sara’s story is a page turner with many moments of tension. The author does an amazing job at still showing the horrors of war while still making it suitable for middle grade readers. There are also resources in the back few pages to expand the story as well as lists of organizations, biographies, and photos. ( )

I don't know that this book brings anything new to the table on WWII. It's heartfelt and well done, and perhaps good four young people to connect with WWII. However, I thought MAUS I & II, graphic novels by Art Spiegelman, connected more deeply the story of holocaust survivors and their "after-the-war" families. The connection between Grandmere and her grandson Julien seems a bit tacked on to the rest of the story. ( )

In this graphic novel, we learn the story of Julian's Grandmere (Sara) as she tells him about her childhood growing up during the Holocaust. It is a story about friendship, kindness and perseverance told through simple but beautiful illustrations. This book is a perfect way to introduce tough topics while reinforcing that kindness "becomes that light in the darkness... the very essence of our humanity. It is hope" ( )

4.5 stars. Labeled as a Graphic Novel. Based off of a character from her book "Wonder" but it is only briefly mentioned. This story is about the characters grandmother, who lived in France at the beginning of WWII and is Jewish. Interesting perspective and engaging storyline. ( )