It is 1941. Hedy and her family are Jewish, and the Nazi party is rising. Hedy's family is no longer safe in their home in Hungary. They decide to flee to America, but because of their circumstances, sixteen-year-old Hedy must make her way through Europe alone. Will luck be with her? Will she be brave? Join Hedy on her journey-where she encounters good fortune and misfortune, a kind helper and cruel soldiers, a reunion and a tragedy-and discover how Hedy is both lucky and brave. Hedy's Journey adds an important voice to the canon of Holocaust stories, and her courage will make a lasting impact on young readers.

This is a story of the holocaust. The author writes a loving tribute to her mother and her mother’s family. The tale is her mother’s travels from Hungary to the US. How the travels were not easy, and how often she had to do so alone. This book is another great example of a Holocaust survivor doing what they must to be free and live a better life. ( )

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. ( )

Hedy's Journey by Michelle Bisson is another true story about the holocause. This story is about a Hungarian Jewish girl named Hedy and her family, who had to travel through Germany during the Holocaust to try and get to safety. They have visas to go to the United States, but they need to get to Portugal to take a ship there. There are many trials and tribulations in this journey. She takes a portion of the journey alone, as she is required to separate from her parents due to the availability of tickets. There is some mention of family members that were caught up by the Nazis, but that is not the focus of the story, that is to establish the reason they had to leave. Hedy was a brave young lady, who did what she needed to do to connect with her family and get them all to safety.

The author, Michelle Bisson, is Hedy's daughter. She used stories and memories from her mother to tell this story. She expressed that she knew nothing about the holocaust until she was in grade six. She went home and asked her mother if it was true and that was when her mother told her, her story. There is an afterward to the story where there are many pictures of Hedy and her family. There is a timeline of WWII, along with information about the settling of Hedy's family once they arrived in New York. I have read many books about the holocaust and I liked the fact that even though this story was about a Hungarian Jewish family, Michelle Bisson gave other information about those killed in this horrific event.

The book was well written in easy language for children to understand. The illustrations are drawings in very muted colours that show the emotions and the dangers very well. This is an excellent book to teach children about this time in history and should be in all public and school libraries. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley. ( )

Hedy doesn't think she's brave - she only knows that she must escape. It's 1941 and Hedy's cousin, Marika, has just been deported from Hungary. They know she will most likely die. Even though they are Hungarian, not Polish, Hedy's family knows this is their last chance to get out, but they will have to split up. Hedy's mother and younger brother Robert travel together and her father makes his way alone. Hedy must travel across Europe on her own. When she finally makes it to Barcelona, she is reunited with her family, but their journey is not yet over. It will be many long weeks and frightening moments before they finally arrive in the United States and are once again free.

The back matter in the book includes a timeline of World War II that is matched with the experiences of Hedy's family. It also includes an author's note. Bisson tells the rest of Hedy's story - which includes her own. When Bisson was in sixth grade she learned about the Holocaust and, horrified, asked her mother if it was true. This is the story her mother told her, of her own flight from the Nazis. Bisson was raised to value justice and freedom for all and speaks about how her mother fought against racial injustice in the United States. She pays tribute to those who died, including her mother's cousin Marika. Photographs of her family, a glossary, and further reading is included.

This is a gentle introduction to younger readers of the horrors of World War II and the Holocaust. Bisson speaks matter-of-factly about the death and persecution endured by the Jews and others, about those who died in concentration camps and on the dangerous journey. There are not graphic descriptions of atrocities and the soft pastel browns, pinks, and grays of the illustrations make the story feel realistic and yet not too frightening.

Verdict: For parents looking for a way to introduce their children to the Holocaust and to teach them about difficult subjects, this is a good choice. It emphasizes the people who helped, the good along with the bad, and while it is a true story and doesn't shy away from the facts it isn't all bleak, leaving space for Hedy and her friends to have brief happy moments and hope for the future. Recommended.

ISBN: 9781515769941; Published 2017 by Capstone; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library