Hana's Suitcase

Levine, K. (2002). Hana's suitcase. Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman & Company.

Author:
Karen Levine

Summary:
A suitcase belonging to Hana Brady was one of the artifacts at the Tokyo Holocaust Education Resource Center that fascinated the visitors. The children always wanted to know more about Hana, who was 13 when she was sent to Auschwitz. Through the perseverance of the Center’s director, Fumiko Ishioka, and an international search, Hana’s brother, George, was found alive and living in Canada. The book is told switching back and forth between the childhood and life of Hana and George Brady and the search effort of Ishioka.


Response and Reaction:
This book is sad and touching and beautiful. Both my husband and I cried when we read it, and thinking about it still brings a tear to my eye. This is an excellent way for young adults to feel a personal connection to the Holocaust rather than simply facts and figures. As the generation who lived through these monstrosities fade, it is as important as ever to make sure that the stories of the Holocaust continue to be told.


Format:
Juvenile Non Fiction

Age Range:
9 and up

Themes:
Holocaust, history, children, international, education

Awards:
Norma Fleck Award for Children's Non-Fiction (NOMINATED) 2002
Governor Generals Literary Awards (NOMINATED) 2002
Sydney Taylor Book Award (WON) 2002
Silver Birch Award (WON) 2003
CLA Book of the Year for Children Award (WON) 2003
National Jewish Book Awards (WON) 2003
Information Book Award (WON) 2003
American Library Association Notable Books for Children (WON) 2004
Prairie Pasque Award (NOMINATED) 2006
Great Lakes' Great Books Award (WON) 2006
Great Stone Face Children's Book Award (NOMINATED) 2006
Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award (NOMINATED) 2007
IODE Violet Downey Book Award (WON) 2003