Angel Girl by Laurie Friedman and illustrated by Ofra Amit

Reviewed by Miss Dewey at Orenda

Four paw prints. So, what do you do with a book that was promoted as a true story but was later discovered to be a work of fiction? Well, you read the book and appreciate it for what it is…a good story. Angel Girl is the story of a boy named Herman who lived in Europe during World War II. Unfortunately, Herman is Jewish and during this time anyone who was Jewish and living in Europe was probably in jail. You may be wondering what Herman had done to be put in jail. I can tell you…NOTHING! Herman was a Jewish boy and that was enough to be put in jail. Most Jewish people who were put in jail died, but Herman was lucky. He met a little girl at the jail fence who gave him food when the guards weren’t looking. This little bit of food helped Herman survive until the war ended and he was released from jail. Over the years Herman wondered what happened to his “angel girl” from the fence, but he never knew. When Herman grew up he moved to America and fell in love with a beautiful and kind woman. Herman later discovered this beautiful woman was his “angel girl” from the fence. There was just one problem with Herman’s story. It’s NOT true. Herman was in jail during World War II because he was Jewish, but the rest of the story is from his imagination. Herman wanted to create a story of hope and love for all people. And though some people are very upset with Herman about the story he has told, I still like his story. His story does what he hoped; it introduces some of his experiences during World War II while telling a story of hope and love. If you would like to learn more about the problems with this book please visit http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6625433.html?desc=topstory or http://www.tnr.com/story_print.html?id=f458c2c8-0d4f-4dc7-8cba-15e465c2201a. If you want to learn more about World War II and the Holocaust you may visit http://www.ushmm.org/ with guidance from an adult.
Fic Ami