I have loved reading Just A Girl by Lia Levi.
This is an autobiographical story for early chapter book readers.
Lia Levi was born in Italy in 1931.
She is Jewish and when Mussolini comes to power we see the sanctions placed on the Jewish community through her young eyes. Told in the voice of a child aged 9 to 11 we hear the story of her war. We see what life was like for Italian Jews during the Second World War. We follow Lia as she has to leave her school to attend a Jewish School in Turin until her father loses his job and they have to move to Milan and then on to Rome.
As the bombs start to fall and things become worse for Jewish citizens Lia’s parents begin to make plans to send Lia and her sisters into hiding at a convent. The girls have to leave their parents and change their name to hide within the Catholic community.
Lia lives life on the outside of the terrors of war. Her life changes, her family are separated but they survive without physical harm. This book provides a gentle way to begin talking to younger children about the Holocaust, about Hitler and Mussolini, about the Allies and the Axis.. Lia’s story tells of how her life changed because of the war. It touches on impacts on friendships, education and rationing and food shortages. Though this is a tale of the past it can also help children begin to understand the implications of modern day conflicts for children in Afghanistan, Syria and Ukraine.
As the war goes on and Lia grows older she becomes more confident and brave. She learns to speak out and stand up. She learns the importance of family and friendship and how sometimes survival relies on being quiet and accepting the kindness of others.
The innocence with which this tale is told is a tribute to all the children who have not only endured war – but have found the voice to share their stories. It is an incredibly powerful and moving memoir and one I am so glad to have discovered.
This book translated from Italian by Sylvia Notini has gorgeous black and white illustrations by Jess Mason. The hardback is beautifully designed with deckled edges giving it a vintage well thumbed feel that I love.
