About This Book
Reach for this book when your child starts noticing that some people are treated differently because of where they come from or what they believe. It is a gentle yet profound tool for discussing empathy, the courage required to be a friend, and the reality of being a newcomer in a place that feels cold or even hostile. Through the eyes of twelve-year-old Sally, the story explores the budding friendship between a local girl and Rebecca, a Jewish refugee fleeing pre-war Germany. It tackles themes of loneliness, cultural displacement, and the quiet strength of standing up for a peer when others choose to exclude them. While the historical backdrop of 1938 is serious, the focus remains on the personal, human connection between the girls. It is a perfect choice for middle-grade readers who are developing a social conscience and need to see how small acts of kindness can bridge massive cultural divides.
