Yes, I am eleven-and-three-quarters years old.
I used to worry about my grades
and having to eat stuffed cabbage.
I used to wonder about being invited to parties.
But now I wonder,
what will become of us?
What will become of me?
(from The Year of Goodbyes, page 34)
Jutta Salzberg was 12 years old and living in Hamburg, Germany, with her parents and sister in 1938. In The Year of Goodbyes, Jutta’s daughter, Debbie Levy, presents her mother’s “poesiealbum” to middle-grade readers. Popular among young girls, these poesiealbums were blank books in which poems, drawings, words of wisdom, and wishes for love and happiness were written by their family and friends using their best handwriting.
Jutta’s poesiealbum begins in January 1938, more than a year before the start of World War II, but as a Jewish family, the Salzbergs already were losing certain freedoms under the Nazi regime. All of the things written by her friends in her poesiealbum take on a seriousness that would not have been present had they been penned in another time and place. One friend writes, “Always honor your elders,” leaving Jutta to wonder whether she should honor Herr Wall, a family friend who cut his ties to the Salzbergs because they are Jewish.
In The Year of Goodbyes, Jutta’s poesiealbum is reproduced and translated into English. Accompanying each entry is a verse written by Levy to echo her mother’s experiences and feelings about a very tumultuous and heartbreaking time in her childhood. The title of the book indicates the many farewells that occurred in Jutta’s life that year, as many of her friends and their families left Germany while they still could. In fact, after losing his job as a successful merchant, Jutta’s father spends his time trying to secure the documents needed for the family to immigrate to the United States.
After Jutta’s poesiealbum ends, Levy lets readers know what happened to her mother when she came to America, offers some family photos, and explains how an article she wrote for the Washington Post eventually led to a reunion with a handful of her former classmates. While Jutta’s family was fortunate to have left Europe before the war started, many of the girls and relatives whose words and artwork grace the pages of the poesiealbum were not so lucky. From the records of Yad Vashem and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Levy learned the fate of some of the young girls and includes this information at the end. Although the book is just over 100 pages long and written almost entirely in verse, it packs a punch. These girls in 1938 were about the same age as my daughter is now, but their carefree childhoods — and in many instances, their lives — ended so abruptly at the hands of madmen. Pondering this brought tears to my eyes.
Levy does a wonderful job bringing her mother’s story to life, showcasing the hardships Jutta endured in a way that will teach young readers a bit of history without overwhelming them and encourage them to think about the friendships they have made and the farewells that have been said. I wasn’t able to read The Year of Goodbyes with The Girl, as she was working on her summer reading requirements, but you can bet I will be adding this to her shelf and recommending that she read it on her own.
Disclosure: I received a copy of The Year of Goodbyes at Book Expo America 2010. I am an Amazon associate.
© 2010 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
Awesome review, Anna! It’s going on my wishlist!
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Wow, sounds really touching. What a treasure for her to share.
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This sounds like a very powerful read, I’ll definitely be on the lookout for a copy.
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The posie album sounds a lot like the autograph books that were popular when I was growing up. Thankfully, there was no reason for mine to take on any special significance. This book sounds fantastic!
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In the introduction, Levy says they most closely resemble autograph books, but there are some differences.
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This one makes me wonder where my poesialbum is..
And it must be a sad book since not all those little girls will have made it
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It’s so neat that you actually have a poesialbum! If you find it, it would be neat for you to share it with us. 🙂
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Oh, Anna, I think I would really enjoy this book. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. Great review!
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Lovely review, Anna. I would like to read this as well, and share it with my daughters.
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What a unique book! Thanks for the suggestion.
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Lovely review Anna. I wonder if you have read this book? The author is the mother of a friend of mine, and her tale is harrowing indeed yet her capacity for forgiveness is extraordinary and inspiring.
Here’s a link to a brief review:
http://www.independentweekly.com.au/news/local/news/entertainment/book-review-fifty-years-of-silence-jan-ruffoherne/1268847.aspx
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Thanks, Kate. I haven’t read that one, but I’m adding it to my to-read list. Thanks for the recommendation!
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I love the cover! And I love the quote you have included! This is such a great book, and i definitely want to read it!
great review!
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I have this book as well. I picked it up because it was in verse. I wonder why lots of children’s books are written in verse, but not many adult books. I think this is a powerful combination.
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I wonder if there are adult books written in verse? I’ve come across so few novels in verse that I have no idea.
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Sounds like a wonderful way to teach young people about this part of history without overwhelming them.
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I love reading free verse novels! The Year of Goodbyes sounds like a book for my daughter and I to read together. Great review Anna, thanks!
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[…] The Year of Goodbyes by Debbie Levy, which I made a point to obtain at BEA this year due to Becky’s favorable review. […]
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Thanks, everyone! I hope you all get a chance to read it.
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[…] Trust by Kate Veitch 69. A Hidden Affair by Pam Jenoff 70. Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott 71. The Year of Goodbyes by Debbie Levy 72. The Kulak’s Daughter by Gabriele Goldstone 73. Come Sunday by Isla Morley […]
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[…] The Year of Goodbyes by Debbie Levy After Jutta’s poesiealbum ends, Levy lets readers know what happened to her mother when she came to America, offers some family photos, and explains how an article she wrote for the Washington Post eventually led to a reunion with a handful of her former classmates. While Jutta’s family was fortunate to have left Europe before the war started, many of the girls and relatives whose words and artwork grace the pages of the poesiealbum were not so lucky. From the records of Yad Vashem and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Levy learned the fate of some of the young girls and includes this information at the end. Although the book is just over 100 pages long and written almost entirely in verse, it packs a punch. These girls in 1938 were about the same age as my daughter is now, but their carefree childhoods — and in many instances, their lives — ended so abruptly at the hands of madmen. Pondering this brought tears to my eyes. […]
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