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Wonder
White Bird
A Wonder story
In R. J. Palacio's bestselling collection of stories, Auggie & Me, which expands on characters in Wonder, readers were introduced to Julian's grandmother, Grandmère. Here, Palacio makes her graphic novel debut with Grandmère's heartrending how she, a young Jewish girl, was hidden by a family in a Nazi-occupied French village during World War II; how the boy she and her classmates once shunned became her savior and best friend.
Grandmère's harrowing experience movingly demonstrates the power of kindness to change hearts, build bridges, and even save lives. As Grandmère tells Julian, "It always takes courage to be kind, but in those days, such kindness could cost you everything." With poignant symbolism and gorgeous artwork that brings Grandmère's story out of the past and cements it firmly in this moment in history, White Bird is sure to captivate anyone who was moved by Wonder.
In R. J. Palacio's bestselling collection of stories, Auggie & Me, which expands on characters in Wonder, readers were introduced to Julian's grandmother, Grandmère. Here, Palacio makes her graphic novel debut with Grandmère's heartrending how she, a young Jewish girl, was hidden by a family in a Nazi-occupied French village during World War II; how the boy she and her classmates once shunned became her savior and best friend.
Grandmère's harrowing experience movingly demonstrates the power of kindness to change hearts, build bridges, and even save lives. As Grandmère tells Julian, "It always takes courage to be kind, but in those days, such kindness could cost you everything." With poignant symbolism and gorgeous artwork that brings Grandmère's story out of the past and cements it firmly in this moment in history, White Bird is sure to captivate anyone who was moved by Wonder.
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 3, 2019
817 people are currently reading
17.3k people want to read
About the author
R.J. Palacio
21books7,760followersR.J. Palacio lives in NYC with her husband, two sons, and two dogs. For more than twenty years, she was an art director and graphic designer, designing book jackets for other people while waiting for the perfect time in her life to start writing her own novel. But one day several years ago, a chance encounter with an extraordinary child in front of an ice cream store made R. J. realize that the perfect time to write that novel had finally come. Wonder is her first novel. She did not design the cover, but she sure does love it.
Raquel J. Palacio / R. J. Palacio is a pseudonym of: Raquel Jaramillo
Raquel J. Palacio / R. J. Palacio is a pseudonym of: Raquel Jaramillo
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,620 reviews
November 26, 2019
The back matter from the author talks about this story and it's historically based, but it's still a fiction story. I was surprised. It felt so possible that I thought this was a non-fiction account.
The premise is that Julian, part of the Wonder gang, has an assignment at school to ask his grandmother to tell a story. He gets her on the phone and asks about her story and she then tells him of her time as a teen girl in southern France during WWII as a Jew and how she survived. It was such an engrossing story and I didn't want to put it down. The Nazi's came to her school and you know the atrocities they committed against people. She escapes, thanks to a boy with polio and his family hides her. I thought it was very well done.
The author does link this into the present. The grandmother talks about how terrible this time was and how it must never be repeated and she is heartbroken to read the headlines of children separated from their parents at the border and put in jail. It breaks her heart and it is something that Nazi's would do. It's terrible.
I felt this was so well done and it's a good book for any child curious about WWII and what was happening over there. It doesn't get too graphic, but there is enough to know that it was deadly. If you loved the book 'Wonder', the I think you will also enjoy this story too. R. J. is amazing at making you feel for the characters.
The premise is that Julian, part of the Wonder gang, has an assignment at school to ask his grandmother to tell a story. He gets her on the phone and asks about her story and she then tells him of her time as a teen girl in southern France during WWII as a Jew and how she survived. It was such an engrossing story and I didn't want to put it down. The Nazi's came to her school and you know the atrocities they committed against people. She escapes, thanks to a boy with polio and his family hides her. I thought it was very well done.
The author does link this into the present. The grandmother talks about how terrible this time was and how it must never be repeated and she is heartbroken to read the headlines of children separated from their parents at the border and put in jail. It breaks her heart and it is something that Nazi's would do. It's terrible.
I felt this was so well done and it's a good book for any child curious about WWII and what was happening over there. It doesn't get too graphic, but there is enough to know that it was deadly. If you loved the book 'Wonder', the I think you will also enjoy this story too. R. J. is amazing at making you feel for the characters.
July 14, 2022
I gasped.
I sobbed.
I declared it "best in show."
I sobbed.
I declared it "best in show."
November 30, 2020
”In these dark times, it’s those small acts of kindness that keep us alive, after all. They remind us of our humanity�.
Creo que esta es de las novelas gráficas más bonitas, duras y reales que he leído en mucho tiempo. Y sí, todos sabemos que hay muchísimas historias sobre la Segunda Guerra Mundial en formato gráfico, Maus siendo la primera, pero nunca van a ser suficientes. Además, creo que Pájaro Blanco es muy especial porque apela a un público muchísimo más joven, un público que quizá no sepa mucho de los horrores que se cometieron entre 1939 y 1945. Y si hay algo que no puede suceder es dejar que las nuevas generaciones ignoren la historia y, por eso mismo, la repitan.
R. J. Palacio, que es la misma autora de toda la serie Wonder, nos cuenta aquí la historia de la niñez de Grandmère, la abuela de Julian, el chico que le hacía bullying a August. Esta chica judía vivía en un pequeño pueblo del sur de Francia con sus padres durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Afortunadamente, cuando empezó todo, su pueblo quedó dentro de la Zona Libre de Francia, no la Zona Ocupada, así que durante un tiempo pudo seguir viviendo su vida normal. Sin embargo, con el paso de los años, los nazis llegaron también a la Zona Libre y el antisemitismo surgió como una ola. De un momento a otro, la separan de sus padres y empieza el horror de tener que esconderse para poder sobrevivir.
En esta novela gráfica podemos ver y sentir la angustia de una niña que no sabía lo que estaba sucediendo, que tuvo que vivir durante muchísimo tiempo en un granero oscuro y que dependía de la bondad de una familia que, al esconderla, estaba poniendo su propia existencia en riesgo. Y creo que esa es una de las cosas que más me impresionan de todas estas historias sobre la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Sí, hubo masacres, genocidios y torturas, pero también está la otra cara de la moneda. La de las personas que demostraban que aún quedaba algo de humanidad en medio de la guerra y ayudaban a desconocidos, los vestían, los alimentaban y mentían a los nazis para protegerlos. Cada que pienso en la valentía, la bondad y la humanidad de esas personas se me ponen los pelos de punta. Y por eso este tipo de historias son importantes, es vital que recordemos a quienes salvaron muchísimas vidas y permitieron que esas voces luego pudieran vivir más allá de la época más oscura de la humanidad.
Pájaro Blanco es eso, una historia que nos recuerda que, a pesar de que la humanidad pueda pasar por momentos horrendos como el Holocausto, los campos de concentración y los nacionalismos absurdos, siempre habrá personas que se esfuercen por mantener encendida esa luz que, al final, es la que le da otra oportunidad al mundo y a la historia de corregirse.
Creo que esta es de las novelas gráficas más bonitas, duras y reales que he leído en mucho tiempo. Y sí, todos sabemos que hay muchísimas historias sobre la Segunda Guerra Mundial en formato gráfico, Maus siendo la primera, pero nunca van a ser suficientes. Además, creo que Pájaro Blanco es muy especial porque apela a un público muchísimo más joven, un público que quizá no sepa mucho de los horrores que se cometieron entre 1939 y 1945. Y si hay algo que no puede suceder es dejar que las nuevas generaciones ignoren la historia y, por eso mismo, la repitan.
R. J. Palacio, que es la misma autora de toda la serie Wonder, nos cuenta aquí la historia de la niñez de Grandmère, la abuela de Julian, el chico que le hacía bullying a August. Esta chica judía vivía en un pequeño pueblo del sur de Francia con sus padres durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Afortunadamente, cuando empezó todo, su pueblo quedó dentro de la Zona Libre de Francia, no la Zona Ocupada, así que durante un tiempo pudo seguir viviendo su vida normal. Sin embargo, con el paso de los años, los nazis llegaron también a la Zona Libre y el antisemitismo surgió como una ola. De un momento a otro, la separan de sus padres y empieza el horror de tener que esconderse para poder sobrevivir.
En esta novela gráfica podemos ver y sentir la angustia de una niña que no sabía lo que estaba sucediendo, que tuvo que vivir durante muchísimo tiempo en un granero oscuro y que dependía de la bondad de una familia que, al esconderla, estaba poniendo su propia existencia en riesgo. Y creo que esa es una de las cosas que más me impresionan de todas estas historias sobre la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Sí, hubo masacres, genocidios y torturas, pero también está la otra cara de la moneda. La de las personas que demostraban que aún quedaba algo de humanidad en medio de la guerra y ayudaban a desconocidos, los vestían, los alimentaban y mentían a los nazis para protegerlos. Cada que pienso en la valentía, la bondad y la humanidad de esas personas se me ponen los pelos de punta. Y por eso este tipo de historias son importantes, es vital que recordemos a quienes salvaron muchísimas vidas y permitieron que esas voces luego pudieran vivir más allá de la época más oscura de la humanidad.
Pájaro Blanco es eso, una historia que nos recuerda que, a pesar de que la humanidad pueda pasar por momentos horrendos como el Holocausto, los campos de concentración y los nacionalismos absurdos, siempre habrá personas que se esfuercen por mantener encendida esa luz que, al final, es la que le da otra oportunidad al mundo y a la historia de corregirse.
January 2, 2020
WHAT A MARAVILLA
February 15, 2025
***NO SPOILERS***
White Bird is proof that a story about suffering is not only not held back by the graphic-novel format but could actually be at its best, most powerful told this way. Author R.J. Palacio used the format’s magic pairing of text and illustration to tell the story of Sara and how the Holocaust triggered her personal transformation when it upended her carefree life. Palacio put her exhaustive research to phenomenal use here, as Sara’s account could easily pass for a nonfictional survivor account. White Bird is actually a spin-off character story from Palacio’s acclaimed , in which Sara is the grandmother of Julian, one of that book’s main characters. However, the happenings in White Bird don’t reference the happenings in Wonder, so fortunately readers can understand and enjoy this on its own.
Sara’s story is an absorbing, intensely emotional journey with many moments of tension as one surprise after another pops up. As is to be expected for anything Holocaust-themed, it’s also unbearably sad. It opens with her as a teenager, recounting details of her comfortable life pre-Holocaust. Her biggest concerns are those typical of a child her age—friends, school, and material possessions. By her own admission, she’s a little spoiled and, in her immaturity, sometimes uncharitable. Her life takes a sharp downturn when the Nazis occupy the Free Zone in France, where she lives. In an inventive touch, Palacio had Sara’s vanity work in her favor when her desire to keep her favorite red shoes pristine saves her life. Later, a life-changing, unexpected friendship matures her and teaches her the importance of charity.
In these pages humans are shown at their worst but also at their best, and White Bird is a tear-jerker as much for its moments of sorrow as for its moments of loving kindness. Emphasis is on really showing the importance of never hesitating to speak up against injustice and helping others in need. That may sound maudlin, but White Bird balances the sweetness with enough grit to keep scenes from feeling emotionally manipulative. Nevertheless, for accounts about cruelties that humans inflict on other humans, capturing the emotion is paramount, and Palacio did that.
In an engaging note at the end, Palacio explained that this graphic novel resulted from her fascination with the Holocaust, starting just after learning about it as a young girl. Informed by her research, White Bird reads like a synthesis of some of the best parts of the most dramatic Holocaust accounts, strung together with an ample dash of her own imagination and expressive illustrations. The influence of Anne Frank’s diary is easy to see. Sara is a blend of three different women, and Palacio based some characters on specific people, whose photos she included at the end.
As time passes, and especially as the last of the Holocaust’s eye-witnesses die, the likelihood increases that this horrific event could be forgotten—or more easily denied—and subsequently repeated. In its accessible format, White Bird educates and brings this event to life for young readers especially, an essential first step in keeping the memory alive. But it also transcends the limits of its genre, and even topic, to appeal to readers of all ages who simply want stories that are well-told and pack a gut-punch. It’s impossible not to be touched by it.
White Bird is proof that a story about suffering is not only not held back by the graphic-novel format but could actually be at its best, most powerful told this way. Author R.J. Palacio used the format’s magic pairing of text and illustration to tell the story of Sara and how the Holocaust triggered her personal transformation when it upended her carefree life. Palacio put her exhaustive research to phenomenal use here, as Sara’s account could easily pass for a nonfictional survivor account. White Bird is actually a spin-off character story from Palacio’s acclaimed , in which Sara is the grandmother of Julian, one of that book’s main characters. However, the happenings in White Bird don’t reference the happenings in Wonder, so fortunately readers can understand and enjoy this on its own.
Sara’s story is an absorbing, intensely emotional journey with many moments of tension as one surprise after another pops up. As is to be expected for anything Holocaust-themed, it’s also unbearably sad. It opens with her as a teenager, recounting details of her comfortable life pre-Holocaust. Her biggest concerns are those typical of a child her age—friends, school, and material possessions. By her own admission, she’s a little spoiled and, in her immaturity, sometimes uncharitable. Her life takes a sharp downturn when the Nazis occupy the Free Zone in France, where she lives. In an inventive touch, Palacio had Sara’s vanity work in her favor when her desire to keep her favorite red shoes pristine saves her life. Later, a life-changing, unexpected friendship matures her and teaches her the importance of charity.
In these pages humans are shown at their worst but also at their best, and White Bird is a tear-jerker as much for its moments of sorrow as for its moments of loving kindness. Emphasis is on really showing the importance of never hesitating to speak up against injustice and helping others in need. That may sound maudlin, but White Bird balances the sweetness with enough grit to keep scenes from feeling emotionally manipulative. Nevertheless, for accounts about cruelties that humans inflict on other humans, capturing the emotion is paramount, and Palacio did that.
In an engaging note at the end, Palacio explained that this graphic novel resulted from her fascination with the Holocaust, starting just after learning about it as a young girl. Informed by her research, White Bird reads like a synthesis of some of the best parts of the most dramatic Holocaust accounts, strung together with an ample dash of her own imagination and expressive illustrations. The influence of Anne Frank’s diary is easy to see. Sara is a blend of three different women, and Palacio based some characters on specific people, whose photos she included at the end.
As time passes, and especially as the last of the Holocaust’s eye-witnesses die, the likelihood increases that this horrific event could be forgotten—or more easily denied—and subsequently repeated. In its accessible format, White Bird educates and brings this event to life for young readers especially, an essential first step in keeping the memory alive. But it also transcends the limits of its genre, and even topic, to appeal to readers of all ages who simply want stories that are well-told and pack a gut-punch. It’s impossible not to be touched by it.
November 13, 2019
Wow! I borrowed this today from the library. I was going to concurrently read it with the other two library books I have at home and other reading material too. I had three phone calls I meant to make today. I picked up the book to start it, and I didn’t put it down until I finished it. I did not expect that.
This is a Wonder story. I’d wanted more information about Julian and this book provides it. I love Holocaust stories and often enjoy graphic novels so when a GR friend recommended this book I was eager to read it.
This is a wonderfully done book. It’s fabulous. The story is amazingly great and the art is perfect. This author is also an accomplished artist. I was near tears during much of it. I read it easily in one reading session, including the 14 pages of non-fiction extras of text & photos at the end of the book. (I did note 2 minor(?) factual errors about Anne Frank and family. They were not in one tiny room and Anne’s mother never made it to Bergen-Belsen, but the gist of Holocaust details given is good enough!)
At the end of the graphic book proper I appreciated the tie in to the current refugee crisis.
The people and situations seemed so real I kept forgetting that this was historical fiction and not biography/non-fiction.
I’ve read other 2019 graphic books this year. Two are nominated for the ŷ Choice Awards. I just checked and this one isn’t there, or didn’t get to the semi-finals. That’s a shame. I’d happily voted for another and a third book I liked is also nominated. This one should be on the list too. It’s superbly done.
This book is powerful, meaningful, relevant, and entertaining too. For me it was nearly flawless. It’s one of the best graphic books and one of the best Holocaust books I’ve read.
The first paragraph of this review would probably have sufficed. I. Could. NOT. Put. It. Down! Highly, highly recommended. Lowest appropriate age for this book is a subjective decision. The friend who recommended it to me says for 9-year olds. I say 11 and up. The author probably says 8-12 as it is a book written for children. ETA: I guess I'm wrong. Kids 9 and up seem to love this book. It's a great book with a great message so I guess that is a good thing.
This is a Wonder story. I’d wanted more information about Julian and this book provides it. I love Holocaust stories and often enjoy graphic novels so when a GR friend recommended this book I was eager to read it.
This is a wonderfully done book. It’s fabulous. The story is amazingly great and the art is perfect. This author is also an accomplished artist. I was near tears during much of it. I read it easily in one reading session, including the 14 pages of non-fiction extras of text & photos at the end of the book. (I did note 2 minor(?) factual errors about Anne Frank and family. They were not in one tiny room and Anne’s mother never made it to Bergen-Belsen, but the gist of Holocaust details given is good enough!)
At the end of the graphic book proper I appreciated the tie in to the current refugee crisis.
The people and situations seemed so real I kept forgetting that this was historical fiction and not biography/non-fiction.
I’ve read other 2019 graphic books this year. Two are nominated for the ŷ Choice Awards. I just checked and this one isn’t there, or didn’t get to the semi-finals. That’s a shame. I’d happily voted for another and a third book I liked is also nominated. This one should be on the list too. It’s superbly done.
This book is powerful, meaningful, relevant, and entertaining too. For me it was nearly flawless. It’s one of the best graphic books and one of the best Holocaust books I’ve read.
The first paragraph of this review would probably have sufficed. I. Could. NOT. Put. It. Down! Highly, highly recommended. Lowest appropriate age for this book is a subjective decision. The friend who recommended it to me says for 9-year olds. I say 11 and up. The author probably says 8-12 as it is a book written for children. ETA: I guess I'm wrong. Kids 9 and up seem to love this book. It's a great book with a great message so I guess that is a good thing.
December 24, 2019
The Holocaust is in no way similar to what is happening at the US Southern Border. To link the two is an insult to those who suffered and died during the Holocaust. If that hadn’t been in this book, 5 stars. With it? 1 star. Not saying what is happening currently at the Border is a-ok, but it is NOT a concentration camp. It is NOT the attempted extermination of a people, or even of one person.
1, highly surprised and saddened by this book, star.
1, highly surprised and saddened by this book, star.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2020
Jednak zostają 4 ⭐️
February 17, 2025
This is the author of “Wonder.� If you haven’t read that book, I highly recommend it. Review here: /review/show...
Another ŷ friend recommended I read this one, too. This story is told as a graphic novel. The author is also the illustrator.
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.� � George Santayana
This beautifully illustrated graphic novel, tells the story of the author’s grandmother, Sara who survived WWII by hiding in a barn in rural France. As a child herself, she formed a bond with Julien, a polio victim. Readers begin with the grandmother telling her “grandson� this story as part of a project for his Humanities class. And, then readers are thrust back in time to live her story.
Each writing block presented captures the story artfully and sensitively. As readers travel back in time, we can’t help but relive the horrors of the Holocaust, from a child’s perspective. Including her dreams of missing her parents, and the “fairy tale� life she used to experience.
In her dreams, as she hides, Sara, flies as a white bird. (Hence: the title of the book.) It is hard not to experience the emotions shared as loss is felt deeply in this hidden life, without her parents or friends.
The story is rich in emotion and history. As well as having a way of presenting a magical and spiritual connection to something greater than us.
“What is done cannot be undone, but one can prevent it from happening again.� � Anne Frank
This book, supposedly meant for 8-12-year-olds, seems in its complexity, to be sharing an important message for adults. Will it be easy for young ones to comprehend the depth of what is being conveyed here? Will it inspire those who read it to become social activists? Maybe even helping others to acknowledge that antisemitism and hatefulness towards those that are “different� from themselves still exists in 2025 � 80 years later?
Interestingly enough, the author explores this in one of his writing blocks in Present day � 2019.
“Have we learned nothing?�
The grandmother shares those words, as she reads the headlines of the newspaper telling her that Trump is separating children from parents with his “zero tolerance� policy. (His first administration.) The author shows Sara’s obvious anguish. How can we not feel these emotions as we watch what is happening now in America?
“Never again.
#±.�
We can only hope.
It is recommended that readers also read the Afterward by author, Ruth Franklin and the Author’s Note. The author also provides a glossary, suggested reading list and organizations which will be helpful resources.
Reading Level: 8 � 12 years+ � Grades: 3rd � 7th
Another ŷ friend recommended I read this one, too. This story is told as a graphic novel. The author is also the illustrator.
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.� � George Santayana
This beautifully illustrated graphic novel, tells the story of the author’s grandmother, Sara who survived WWII by hiding in a barn in rural France. As a child herself, she formed a bond with Julien, a polio victim. Readers begin with the grandmother telling her “grandson� this story as part of a project for his Humanities class. And, then readers are thrust back in time to live her story.
Each writing block presented captures the story artfully and sensitively. As readers travel back in time, we can’t help but relive the horrors of the Holocaust, from a child’s perspective. Including her dreams of missing her parents, and the “fairy tale� life she used to experience.
In her dreams, as she hides, Sara, flies as a white bird. (Hence: the title of the book.) It is hard not to experience the emotions shared as loss is felt deeply in this hidden life, without her parents or friends.
The story is rich in emotion and history. As well as having a way of presenting a magical and spiritual connection to something greater than us.
“What is done cannot be undone, but one can prevent it from happening again.� � Anne Frank
This book, supposedly meant for 8-12-year-olds, seems in its complexity, to be sharing an important message for adults. Will it be easy for young ones to comprehend the depth of what is being conveyed here? Will it inspire those who read it to become social activists? Maybe even helping others to acknowledge that antisemitism and hatefulness towards those that are “different� from themselves still exists in 2025 � 80 years later?
Interestingly enough, the author explores this in one of his writing blocks in Present day � 2019.
“Have we learned nothing?�
The grandmother shares those words, as she reads the headlines of the newspaper telling her that Trump is separating children from parents with his “zero tolerance� policy. (His first administration.) The author shows Sara’s obvious anguish. How can we not feel these emotions as we watch what is happening now in America?
“Never again.
#±.�
We can only hope.
It is recommended that readers also read the Afterward by author, Ruth Franklin and the Author’s Note. The author also provides a glossary, suggested reading list and organizations which will be helpful resources.
Reading Level: 8 � 12 years+ � Grades: 3rd � 7th
May 23, 2023
Cut out the last 8 pages and this is a 5-star middle grade graphic novel. That's what I'll be doing when I share it with my nieces and nephews some day.
The illegal immigration issue in the United States is not in any way similar to the Holocaust. That someone could draw that comparison boggles my mind and dishonors the sacrifices and deaths of millions of Jews and those who helped them.
When people break the law of a country, they cannot expect that country to welcome them with open arms or to look the other way--whether they are citizens or not! Unfortunately, American policies on immigration were not enforced so there are thousands of people who illegally built a life here. It may look like the government is the bad guy in this situation, but the bad guy is the guy who breaks the law. And immigrating illegally is, by definition, breaking the law.
The United States of America does not have the responsibility or resources to host the entire world. We welcome those we can. But to improve the lives of millions and billions more, the governments of the countries people are fleeing need to change. And that change will be brought about best from the inside.
Don't be so arrogant as to assume that the United States is meant to be the savior of the world. That position is already taken.
The illegal immigration issue in the United States is not in any way similar to the Holocaust. That someone could draw that comparison boggles my mind and dishonors the sacrifices and deaths of millions of Jews and those who helped them.
When people break the law of a country, they cannot expect that country to welcome them with open arms or to look the other way--whether they are citizens or not! Unfortunately, American policies on immigration were not enforced so there are thousands of people who illegally built a life here. It may look like the government is the bad guy in this situation, but the bad guy is the guy who breaks the law. And immigrating illegally is, by definition, breaking the law.
The United States of America does not have the responsibility or resources to host the entire world. We welcome those we can. But to improve the lives of millions and billions more, the governments of the countries people are fleeing need to change. And that change will be brought about best from the inside.
Don't be so arrogant as to assume that the United States is meant to be the savior of the world. That position is already taken.
April 20, 2024
bigger than the whole sky
"you were more than just a short time"
"I've got a lot to live without"
₊ˡ🕊️ˡ⊹˚�
� the epilogue of this book compares the holocaust to illegal immigration but other than that there aren't any issues. it doesn't take away from the beauty of the story.
₊ˡ🕊️ˡ⊹˚�
this is a middle grade graphic novel about the holocaust and a girl who is hidden in her classmate's house. it's a very sweet and emotional story and I cannot recommend it enough
₊ˡ🕊️ˡ⊹˚�
just leaving some quotes here :)
🕊 "Evil will only be stopped when good people decide to put an end to it. It is our fight, not God's."
🕊 "It doesn't matter how you used to be. It only matters how you are now."
🕊 "Time passes. That is the only thing one can be sure of in life: time does not stop. Not for anyone. Not for anything. Time marches on, oblivious to all."
🕊 "The best friendships are the ones in which words are not needed."
🕊 "'I haven't even asked the question yet.'
'But I know the answer. Yes.'"
🕊 "How high will you fly?
As high as the sky.
How fast will you go?
As fast as a crow.
Then close your eyes.
Time to rise."
🕊 "You may forget many things in your life, but you never forget kindness."
🕊 "But in those days, when such kindness could cost you everything-your freedom, your life-kindness becomes a miracle. It becomes that light in the darkness that Papa talked about, the very essence of our humanity. It is hope."
please go read this :)
"you were more than just a short time"
"I've got a lot to live without"
₊ˡ🕊️ˡ⊹˚�
� the epilogue of this book compares the holocaust to illegal immigration but other than that there aren't any issues. it doesn't take away from the beauty of the story.
₊ˡ🕊️ˡ⊹˚�
this is a middle grade graphic novel about the holocaust and a girl who is hidden in her classmate's house. it's a very sweet and emotional story and I cannot recommend it enough
₊ˡ🕊️ˡ⊹˚�
just leaving some quotes here :)
🕊 "Evil will only be stopped when good people decide to put an end to it. It is our fight, not God's."
🕊 "It doesn't matter how you used to be. It only matters how you are now."
🕊 "Time passes. That is the only thing one can be sure of in life: time does not stop. Not for anyone. Not for anything. Time marches on, oblivious to all."
🕊 "The best friendships are the ones in which words are not needed."
🕊 "'I haven't even asked the question yet.'
'But I know the answer. Yes.'"
🕊 "How high will you fly?
As high as the sky.
How fast will you go?
As fast as a crow.
Then close your eyes.
Time to rise."
🕊 "You may forget many things in your life, but you never forget kindness."
🕊 "But in those days, when such kindness could cost you everything-your freedom, your life-kindness becomes a miracle. It becomes that light in the darkness that Papa talked about, the very essence of our humanity. It is hope."
please go read this :)
December 13, 2019
is a gorgeous graphic novel in the same genre of where we learn the backstory of Julian (and in so-doing, grant some humanity back to this character from Wonder who was the bad guy in that story). Julian needs to do a report for school about his family and he asks his grandmother about her story. We then go back to Occupied France where she spent the war like Anne Frank in hiding. She falls in love with a polio victim who saves her life. It is a moving story using the image of a white bird as a metaphor for love and freedom. It is HIGHLY educational about the plight of Jews during WWII and the Holocaust. My daughter was moved and was so happy that Julian shows himself to have a soul after all. Absolutely recommended.
November 3, 2019
Would have been great if the author eliminated the last few pages which took a beautiful story about a horrific time in history, and used it to make an anti-Trump comparison to the border situation. Which the author should have known better. To compare the rounding up and extermination of legal citizens who broke no laws, simply because of who they are, to illegals breaking into a country, breaking laws, and being rounded up to be returned (not killed) is despicable. Outrage that was never there when other presidents did the same thing.
Now if the author compared it to true genocides going on now, like The Rohingya in Myanmar or The Nuer and other ethnic groups in South Sudan, then I would have had more respect for the book.
A shame that a few pages ruined an otherwise great story.
Now if the author compared it to true genocides going on now, like The Rohingya in Myanmar or The Nuer and other ethnic groups in South Sudan, then I would have had more respect for the book.
A shame that a few pages ruined an otherwise great story.
June 23, 2020
Overall the story was good until the author tried to mix her current political ideology into the story right at the end of the book. She should have left it out and let the story become a timeless history lesson for children of all generations. There are so many applicable situations around the world that could have been used; instead the author choose personal politics to influence children.
By the way, R.J. Palacio, the United States of America did rise up to fight the injustice. It is recorded that 183,588 Americans gave their lives on the European theatres, and over 500,000 where wounded and over 100,000 where POWs. Maybe you should have mentioned these numbers into your story. Unfortunately children that read this book will assume nobody helped during the Holocaust.
By the way, R.J. Palacio, the United States of America did rise up to fight the injustice. It is recorded that 183,588 Americans gave their lives on the European theatres, and over 500,000 where wounded and over 100,000 where POWs. Maybe you should have mentioned these numbers into your story. Unfortunately children that read this book will assume nobody helped during the Holocaust.
March 18, 2023
He had become my best friend, my confidant, and my co-conspirator. We had in common one crucial thing: we were different from other children. This is what cemented our friendship. What gave it depth. What made us understand each other.
(PG 94)
I really enjoyed the story. It could be read in one sitting of an hour or between housework or laundry.
It was a beautiful story told in the form of kindness and life risk. I will say it was a watered down version of the Holocaust but again kindness prevails here. I teared up a bit throughout the story because of Julian and his parents. I have also, recently, finished reading 'Night' by Elie Wiesel and found it to be fictional, as his background story seems to be buried, so I felt disillusioned with the Holocaust theme. Crazy how one bad apple can ruin something so significant for someone.
For me, I always love themes that are Christian in their actions. Julian and his family risked their lives to save one single person, and a very spoiled and entitled main character at that. I have found that in this life we really do nothing on our own. There is always someone out there helping and watching out for us. Without the help of the revolutionaries, gentiles, priests, everyday people, Hitler would have succeeded in killing more than is the count.
Now the one star knockoff? Well R.J Palacio ruined the book on the last chapter. Whether I am aligned to the authors political views or not is not relevant. Trump is mostly a distraction to what really is going on in Washington D.C. I absolutely hate when authors insert their political views unless it's a political novel, obviously. Or make it more in line with the story if you're going to do this. The Native Americans and the Armenians had their own genocides and mass killings. How many countries in Africa are going through this even now? I know how people feel about Trump but, to me, the headlines do not equal one another and to say "Well this is just a precaution because Hitler started in the same way" is just an opinion, not fact, at this point. I think this ending is WHY people in this country of the USA are divided in the first place. This ending does not bring unification which I thought was the point of this beautiful story. United We Stand only if we have the same political views?
There are other little, tiny grievances I had pertaining to the main character but I am focusing on how the story made me feel and if I would let the kids read it and it made me feel happy/sad and I would happily make/let my kids read it.
(PG 94)
I really enjoyed the story. It could be read in one sitting of an hour or between housework or laundry.
It was a beautiful story told in the form of kindness and life risk. I will say it was a watered down version of the Holocaust but again kindness prevails here. I teared up a bit throughout the story because of Julian and his parents. I have also, recently, finished reading 'Night' by Elie Wiesel and found it to be fictional, as his background story seems to be buried, so I felt disillusioned with the Holocaust theme. Crazy how one bad apple can ruin something so significant for someone.
For me, I always love themes that are Christian in their actions. Julian and his family risked their lives to save one single person, and a very spoiled and entitled main character at that. I have found that in this life we really do nothing on our own. There is always someone out there helping and watching out for us. Without the help of the revolutionaries, gentiles, priests, everyday people, Hitler would have succeeded in killing more than is the count.
Now the one star knockoff? Well R.J Palacio ruined the book on the last chapter. Whether I am aligned to the authors political views or not is not relevant. Trump is mostly a distraction to what really is going on in Washington D.C. I absolutely hate when authors insert their political views unless it's a political novel, obviously. Or make it more in line with the story if you're going to do this. The Native Americans and the Armenians had their own genocides and mass killings. How many countries in Africa are going through this even now? I know how people feel about Trump but, to me, the headlines do not equal one another and to say "Well this is just a precaution because Hitler started in the same way" is just an opinion, not fact, at this point. I think this ending is WHY people in this country of the USA are divided in the first place. This ending does not bring unification which I thought was the point of this beautiful story. United We Stand only if we have the same political views?
There are other little, tiny grievances I had pertaining to the main character but I am focusing on how the story made me feel and if I would let the kids read it and it made me feel happy/sad and I would happily make/let my kids read it.
October 8, 2023
4,5 �
Un libro realmente necesario, sobre todo por ser un tema tan peliagudo, y siento que la autora ha sabido llevarlo muy bien explicando los acontecimientos a pesar de ser todo ficción (aunque al final sabemos que varias situaciones o personajes fueron inspiradas de la vida real)
Hay muchas personas que se han enojado un poco con la comparación final, a mi no me molestó, porque aparte de todo lo que sucedió con los Nazi, el libro también habla sobre la amabilidad, el ser buenas personas, el ayudar a los demás y creo que va más por ahí la situación final con la que se compara que con todo lo ocurrido en los campos de concentración.
En fin, para mi ha sido un libro muy bueno, muy explicativo, buenas ilustraciones, una historia muuy conmovedora, quizás en algunos momentos es exceso de drama, pero sabemos que esas cosas sucedieron, esas y muchas peores.
Reseña completa:
Un libro realmente necesario, sobre todo por ser un tema tan peliagudo, y siento que la autora ha sabido llevarlo muy bien explicando los acontecimientos a pesar de ser todo ficción (aunque al final sabemos que varias situaciones o personajes fueron inspiradas de la vida real)
Hay muchas personas que se han enojado un poco con la comparación final, a mi no me molestó, porque aparte de todo lo que sucedió con los Nazi, el libro también habla sobre la amabilidad, el ser buenas personas, el ayudar a los demás y creo que va más por ahí la situación final con la que se compara que con todo lo ocurrido en los campos de concentración.
En fin, para mi ha sido un libro muy bueno, muy explicativo, buenas ilustraciones, una historia muuy conmovedora, quizás en algunos momentos es exceso de drama, pero sabemos que esas cosas sucedieron, esas y muchas peores.
Reseña completa:
September 22, 2021
Great book to introduce kids to the horrors of WWII and the Holocaust, but I didn’t like the epilogue. The author inserts her own views of politics into the book and compares Trump’s “zero tolerance� immigration policy to Hitler and the Holocaust. Children’s books aren’t the place for slipping in your own political opinions.
November 21, 2019
4,75⭐️
He acabado llorando. Ha sido una historia muy emotiva, que empieza explicándote la vida de la protagonista desde el principio, así que poco a poco te vas dando cuenta de los cambios y lo que ello implica. Me ha encantado, con los múltiples mensajes que hay en sus páginas, muy importantes todos ellos, pero que destacaré el de que debemos aprender de los errores del pasado.
He acabado llorando. Ha sido una historia muy emotiva, que empieza explicándote la vida de la protagonista desde el principio, así que poco a poco te vas dando cuenta de los cambios y lo que ello implica. Me ha encantado, con los múltiples mensajes que hay en sus páginas, muy importantes todos ellos, pero que destacaré el de que debemos aprender de los errores del pasado.
January 30, 2020
Phenomenal historical fiction graphic novel re: the Holocaust. And yes there’s a sticker saying it’s a Wonder story but it’s really not related to Wonder at all besides being 100% Julian’s grandmother’s history. I’d put this at an older level than Wonder for sure not because of reading level but simply because of the deeper topics of war, genocide, death, etc. I’ll be putting it in my elementary and middle school libraries but selling it way harder at the MS level.
May 3, 2021
Pierwsze czytanie: 4,5⭐️/5
Drugie czytanie: 4,5/5⭐️
Powieść graficzna z pięknymi rysunkami i ilustracjami. Pomysł na skonstruowanie fabuły jest ciekawym i dobrym zabiegiem w opowiedzeniu tej historii.
Jest to ważna, wzruszająca powieść. Przemiana głównej bohaterki z egoistycznej, zapatrzonej w siebie dziewczyny w pomocną, empatyczną jest super zabiegiem, nie działo się to wszystko za szybko.
Ta książka nas uczy i pokazuje, ze nie możemy powtarzać naszych błędów.
Idealny komiks do przemyśleń i różnorakich rozważań.
Końcówka najbardziej łamie serduszko z wszystkich sytuacji. Plus za słownik na końcu, w którym wyjaśnione są różne pojęcia.
Książka z wydawnictwa Albatros, kupiona na Świecie książki.
Drugie czytanie: 4,5/5⭐️
Powieść graficzna z pięknymi rysunkami i ilustracjami. Pomysł na skonstruowanie fabuły jest ciekawym i dobrym zabiegiem w opowiedzeniu tej historii.
Jest to ważna, wzruszająca powieść. Przemiana głównej bohaterki z egoistycznej, zapatrzonej w siebie dziewczyny w pomocną, empatyczną jest super zabiegiem, nie działo się to wszystko za szybko.
Ta książka nas uczy i pokazuje, ze nie możemy powtarzać naszych błędów.
Idealny komiks do przemyśleń i różnorakich rozważań.
Końcówka najbardziej łamie serduszko z wszystkich sytuacji. Plus za słownik na końcu, w którym wyjaśnione są różne pojęcia.
Książka z wydawnictwa Albatros, kupiona na Świecie książki.
March 12, 2021
Am observat că suntem tot mai asaltați de cărți despre acest subiect care devine din ce în ce mai comercial. Nici Pasărea albă nu aduce informații noi, căci e foarte greu să mai facă vreo carte asta, dar mie mi-a plăcut foarte mult. În schimb, m-a deranjat epilogul în care autoarea face trimitere spre politica lui Trump și situația refugiaților de la acea vreme. Am înțeles că acesta completează mesajul general al cărții, care susține că nu trebuie să ne lăsăm înfrânți, oricât de copleșitor ar fi, ci să luptăm împotriva nedreptății, dar tot mi s-a părut o mârșăvie din partea ei să se folosească de Holocaust pentru a-și exprima o părere politică și a instiga la revoltă. Din fericire, epilogul nu afectează restul cărții, așa că poate fi omis pentru a rămâne cu o poveste care exprimă în fiecare pagină emoție, gingășie, căldură, generozitate, prietenie și solidaritate. Ca bonus, la final veți găsi un glosar care cuprinde diverse informații istorice interesante. Recenzia aici: .
,,Timpul trece. E singurul lucru de care poți fi sigur în viață: timpul nu se oprește. Pentru nimeni. Pentru nimic. Timpul merge înainte, orb la orice.''
,,Timpul trece. E singurul lucru de care poți fi sigur în viață: timpul nu se oprește. Pentru nimeni. Pentru nimic. Timpul merge înainte, orb la orice.''
June 9, 2023
I’m so glad I’ve discovered the works of this wonderful author!
“White Bird� is a graphic novel of the story told by the grandmother of Julien, in the book “Wonder�. It is historical fiction, based on the experiences of many children who had to go into hiding during WW2, simply because they were Jewish.
Memorable Quotes:
(Pg.38)-“Why do they hate us? Because they cannot see our light. Nor can they extinguish it. As long as we shine our light, we win. That is why they hate us. Because they will never take our light from us.�
(Pg.210)-“The millions of innocent people who died were the ultimate victims, but it was humanity itself-the very essence of who and what we are as human beings-that was attacked.�
Every classroom should have a copy of this beautiful book.
“White Bird� is a graphic novel of the story told by the grandmother of Julien, in the book “Wonder�. It is historical fiction, based on the experiences of many children who had to go into hiding during WW2, simply because they were Jewish.
Memorable Quotes:
(Pg.38)-“Why do they hate us? Because they cannot see our light. Nor can they extinguish it. As long as we shine our light, we win. That is why they hate us. Because they will never take our light from us.�
(Pg.210)-“The millions of innocent people who died were the ultimate victims, but it was humanity itself-the very essence of who and what we are as human beings-that was attacked.�
Every classroom should have a copy of this beautiful book.
April 19, 2020
I love R.J. Palacio's books. She does such a great job at telling everyone's stories and connecting them to each other. I was extremely impressed with this story because she taught about the holocaust, but didn't make it gory. This is definitely a book that I plan on reading with my students in the future.
Also, they should turn this story into a movie.
"A Wonder story. In R. J. Palacio's collection of stories Auggie & Me, which expands on characters in Wonder, readers were introduced to Julian's grandmother, Grandmère. This is Grandmère's story as a young Jewish girl hidden away by a family in Nazi-occupied France during World War II told in graphic novel form."
Also, they should turn this story into a movie.
"A Wonder story. In R. J. Palacio's collection of stories Auggie & Me, which expands on characters in Wonder, readers were introduced to Julian's grandmother, Grandmère. This is Grandmère's story as a young Jewish girl hidden away by a family in Nazi-occupied France during World War II told in graphic novel form."
October 24, 2024
this book was truly amazing. (sorry i forgot to add it when i first got the app). it’s a comic and it literally made me CRY. the characters were so well
written and i loved so many of them. this takes place during wwii and ofc there was some death. the drawings were AWESOME and so detailed i loved this so much. i really hope a ton of people read this book because it made me so happy and emotional and i hope people read it.
REREAD:
FINISHED IT AGAIN AND NO DIFFERENT EMOTIONS IM ACTUALLY SOBBING WHYYYYY
written and i loved so many of them. this takes place during wwii and ofc there was some death. the drawings were AWESOME and so detailed i loved this so much. i really hope a ton of people read this book because it made me so happy and emotional and i hope people read it.
REREAD:
FINISHED IT AGAIN AND NO DIFFERENT EMOTIONS IM ACTUALLY SOBBING WHYYYYY
October 16, 2024
Pájaro blanco, una historia de romance juvenil ambientada en la segunda guerra que sin duda te va a sacar unas cuantas lágrimas.
La verdad es que no esperaba que me impactase tanto como lo hizo. Cómo toda persona lectora promedio he tenido mi momento de obsesión con algún período histórico y mi necesidad de querer comprenderlo a partir de un montón de novelas.
Podré haber leído muchas historias que transcurran en la segunda guerra mundial y aún así siento que siempre logran impactarme.
En este caso la narración está dada en el formato de novela gráfica y seguimos una historia muy lineal que no necesita condimentos.
Conocemos a Sara, una adolescente francesa cuya vida gira en torno a que tan bonitos se ven sus zapatos nuevos o si el chico que le gusta se fijó en ella o no. Pero su vida cambia repentinamente cuándo ella pasa a ser buscada por judía y termina teniendo que escapar de los nazis.
Mucho más prefiero no contarles, la novela se Lee muy rápido y me gusta que lo disfruten como una primera experiencia. Creo que es una muy buena opción de lectura para recomendar a chicos que quieren conocer sobre el tema. No deja de ser una historia juvenil, de romance, amistad y adolescencia, sin dejar de lado el contexto histórico.
Sin duda me cayeron un par de lágrimas, tanto con el libro como con la película que vi posteriormente.
La película es una muy buena adaptación y la disfruté muchísimo, para llorar.
Yo leyendo pájaro blanco: 😔🥺🥲
La verdad es que no esperaba que me impactase tanto como lo hizo. Cómo toda persona lectora promedio he tenido mi momento de obsesión con algún período histórico y mi necesidad de querer comprenderlo a partir de un montón de novelas.
Podré haber leído muchas historias que transcurran en la segunda guerra mundial y aún así siento que siempre logran impactarme.
En este caso la narración está dada en el formato de novela gráfica y seguimos una historia muy lineal que no necesita condimentos.
Conocemos a Sara, una adolescente francesa cuya vida gira en torno a que tan bonitos se ven sus zapatos nuevos o si el chico que le gusta se fijó en ella o no. Pero su vida cambia repentinamente cuándo ella pasa a ser buscada por judía y termina teniendo que escapar de los nazis.
Mucho más prefiero no contarles, la novela se Lee muy rápido y me gusta que lo disfruten como una primera experiencia. Creo que es una muy buena opción de lectura para recomendar a chicos que quieren conocer sobre el tema. No deja de ser una historia juvenil, de romance, amistad y adolescencia, sin dejar de lado el contexto histórico.
Sin duda me cayeron un par de lágrimas, tanto con el libro como con la película que vi posteriormente.
La película es una muy buena adaptación y la disfruté muchísimo, para llorar.
Yo leyendo pájaro blanco: 😔🥺🥲
February 7, 2025
“You might forget many things in your life, but you never forget kindness.�
RTC
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[2019] [220p] [Middle Grade] [3.5] [Recommendable]
-----------------------------------------------
★★★★� # 1 Wonder
★★★★� 1.5 Julian
★★★★� 1.6 Pluto
★★★☆� 1.7 Shingaling
★★★★� White Bird [3.5]
-----------------------------------------------
“Podés olvidar muchas cosas en la vida, pero nunca olvidás la amabilidad.�
RTC
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[2019] [220p] [Grado Medio] [3.5] [Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
RTC
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[2019] [220p] [Middle Grade] [3.5] [Recommendable]
-----------------------------------------------
★★★★� # 1 Wonder
★★★★� 1.5 Julian
★★★★� 1.6 Pluto
★★★☆� 1.7 Shingaling
★★★★� White Bird [3.5]
-----------------------------------------------
“Podés olvidar muchas cosas en la vida, pero nunca olvidás la amabilidad.�
RTC
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[2019] [220p] [Grado Medio] [3.5] [Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
April 20, 2024
Sarah never thought the war would happen. But it did. She never thought she would talk to that ill boy next to her. She did. Amazing friendship-love story during WW2
Yea, nothing too surprising or good, but still liked it. A new WW2 story, from a new perspective (jewish-french), loved the simple way everyting is told.
🎨 no happy ending
👵 war story
🎨 friends to lovers
👵 R.J. Palaiko who wrote "Wonder"
Yea, nothing too surprising or good, but still liked it. A new WW2 story, from a new perspective (jewish-french), loved the simple way everyting is told.
🎨 no happy ending
👵 war story
🎨 friends to lovers
👵 R.J. Palaiko who wrote "Wonder"
June 29, 2019
I got the arc of this at the ALA conference, and it was amazing! The story was so sad, but it was really really good. In fact, I was so desperate for it not to end that I read all the way into the authors note and the research, which was very interesting. I especially appreciated the tie in to today, which was very important and moving.
March 7, 2023
I will start by saying that I have my own issues with R.J. Palacio, primarily that she wrote a book about what life must be like having a facial deformity after she saw a young child (3 years old?) with a facial deformity and literally ran out of the store with her own children after they got scared. For me, the audacity to then think, “gosh, I wonder what that must feel like to deal with every day, I’ll write a book about it� sits heavily in my mind, so I want to be upfront about that before I begin.
This book is called “a Wonder story� and it’s about the ‘bully� character in the novel Wonder learning that his grandmother had to hide from the Nazis during WWII in France. I have not read Wonder, so I’m not sure if the character identifies as Jewish, or if he was even aware of this during the Wonder story, but I do find it slightly interesting that the Jewish Holocaust survivor’s entire role in this character’s life is to be a learning opportunity. “Don’t be a bully because your grandma had to deal with some of the worst bullies in history� sure does reduce a lot of self into one learning moment (though it does seem as though the Wonder books are all about marginalized characters fulfilling the role of learning moments for the privileged, aren’t they?).
One of the first things I was truly interested in seeing in books written from a Jewish perspective by people who were not Jewish is how Judaism as a religion and as a culture is done. For WHITE BIRD, I can give those scores an absolute resounding zero.
On page 36, when the parents of our main character Sara are arguing about the Nazis, the mother literally says they have nothing to worry about because the Nazis are only interested in ‘Foreign Jews! And religious Jews! That’s not us. We don’t even go to temple.�
So much to unpack here.
I’ll speak first of the non-Jewish author’s ability to write themselves off from having to touch on any religious aspects by simply saying ‘we don’t even go to temple.� Is it true there are Jews who aren’t observant? Absolutely. But then why even WRITE about Jewish characters? Why USE Jews as a teaching point for another character decades removed from this story and not actually include ANYTHING Jewish? This single sentence is used a brilliant stroke of erasure � making sure the author doesn’t actually have to include any Judaism thanks to falling on a technicality (yes, there are unobservant Jews) while still being able to tell a “Jewish story.� (the author also claims she felt like she was allowed to tell this story because she’s married to a Jewish person and her children are raised Jewish � and that in my opinion makes it worse. Again, why write a Jewish story about Jewish persecution when you never actually include anything Jewish except for exclaiming multiples times on multiple pages just how the character is just so Jewish!)
At least in NUMBER THE STARS, Lowry included Shabbat observances and Rosh Hashanah (though the celebration of Rosh Hashanah is tied to the historical event where the Rabbi of Denmark told all of the synagogue members to go into hiding that evening). Sara in WHITE BIRD doesn’t even wear a Magen David necklace that she needs to rip off and hide to save herself from the Nazis.
Instead, she’s portrayed as popular, selfish, spoiled and a brat. Her biggest crime is ignoring the boy who sits next to her � Julian, who has been crippled due to contracting polio. She doesn’t actively bully him, and when she’s silent when a vocally pro-Nazi bully teases him, it’s portrayed as selfish (instead of uuhhhh, maybe not wanting to draw attention to herself for being Jewish and like, one of those people Nazis like to physically hurt?) No other character defends Julian, yet it’s Sara alone who is burdened with the label of selfishness. Holy shit.
Even the scene where Sara’s mother declares their safety in the form of not going to temple is clearly at dinner and yet clearly not observing Shabbat. Although wine sits on the table, there is clearly no challah, no candles burning. And although there could have been a discussion on how assimilation is often offered by oppressors as a safety net (then going back on those promises once power is secured), no further discussion is ever brought up. Sara doesn’t get enraged that her own Jewish-less-ness didn’t end up offering protection. Sara doesn’t get confused as a gentile. It’s all so... empty. Her Jewishess ends up not mattering to the narrative, despite the constant mentions of just how much it should matter in text.
If it weren’t for the author’s constant mention of her Jewishness, Sara is coded as Christian. Even her beliefs fall more in line with Christianity than with Judaism.
There’s a scene, where she is being chased by the main bully-turned-Nazi. And despite not knowing for sure the fate of her maman, Sara prays to her (?!) to save her from her impending death. This would be heresy in Judaism, where no one comes between a person and G-d.
This was set up SO easily to have the character of Sara come full circle. To have Sara draw upon the Judaism (whose estrangement from was supposed to protect her from Nazism) during her time of need and it’s tragic to see this opportunity missed. Instead, her maman, now called upon by the power of Christian prayer, comes in the form of a white bird-turned-wolf who slaughters the Nazi for her daughter.
Later, when Julian is targeted by Nazis for his polio injuries (an odd omission seeing that the disabled were some of the first people to be removed from society, but of course we have to use the disabled to make the main characters learn a lesson), Sara thinks further thoughts that aren’t inline with Judaism.
“I don’t know exactly how he died,� Sara muses. “All I know is what I believe, that his soul rose up that morning, free of his body, free of all his earthly limitations. Free as a bird.�
I’ll address the ableism in that line of thinking in a moment, but generally, Jews don’t have a concept of souls ‘rising up� � again, this is more in line with Christian ideas of a heaven that the pure and good head to.
But the ableism here is the worst part. The idea that freedom can only be reached for the disabled through death, this line of thinking frames Julian’s death as a blessing in disguise. Now that he’s imparted Sara with the lessons of kindness, he’s no longer important to the story except as a tragic death to cry over.
His death is utterly meaningless. He dies for nothing other than to demonstrate the cruelty of the Nazis and to show the audience that dying while disabled is seen as a kindness.
And then, when we return to the modern world, Julian-the-bully-of-Wonder-fame decides he’s going to start protesting against fascist acts in the United States... because? Marginalized characters were able to be teaching moments for an apparently privileged kid.
Ableism. Julian fulfills the role of the ‘pure cripple� who, despite being bullied, is always pure of heart and does the right thing, placed upon a pedestal of perfection that the other characters constantly marvel at because how could he be so nice when everyone is just so darn mean to him? Yet, the irony is that if Julian acted in any way like any able bodied person is allowed to act, the narrative shatters. He’s not allowed to be angry (except at Sara for her ‘selfishness� of trying to protect him because in that moment she didn’t realize that revealing herself would spell certain doom for all Julian’s entire family).
So much depends on him fulfilling this archetype. Read DISFIGURED by Amanda Leduc for a disabled perspective on the ‘pure disabled character� trope. (literally Julian dies the second he’s taught his lesson).
All in all, there was nothing inherently Jewish about the Jewish characters. If you remove all teh Jewishness of your Jewish characters, why are you even telling a Jewish story?
0/5 -- not a great book about the Holocaust. Jews and the disabled do not suffer injustices in order to be teaching points for the privileged.
This book is called “a Wonder story� and it’s about the ‘bully� character in the novel Wonder learning that his grandmother had to hide from the Nazis during WWII in France. I have not read Wonder, so I’m not sure if the character identifies as Jewish, or if he was even aware of this during the Wonder story, but I do find it slightly interesting that the Jewish Holocaust survivor’s entire role in this character’s life is to be a learning opportunity. “Don’t be a bully because your grandma had to deal with some of the worst bullies in history� sure does reduce a lot of self into one learning moment (though it does seem as though the Wonder books are all about marginalized characters fulfilling the role of learning moments for the privileged, aren’t they?).
One of the first things I was truly interested in seeing in books written from a Jewish perspective by people who were not Jewish is how Judaism as a religion and as a culture is done. For WHITE BIRD, I can give those scores an absolute resounding zero.
On page 36, when the parents of our main character Sara are arguing about the Nazis, the mother literally says they have nothing to worry about because the Nazis are only interested in ‘Foreign Jews! And religious Jews! That’s not us. We don’t even go to temple.�
So much to unpack here.
I’ll speak first of the non-Jewish author’s ability to write themselves off from having to touch on any religious aspects by simply saying ‘we don’t even go to temple.� Is it true there are Jews who aren’t observant? Absolutely. But then why even WRITE about Jewish characters? Why USE Jews as a teaching point for another character decades removed from this story and not actually include ANYTHING Jewish? This single sentence is used a brilliant stroke of erasure � making sure the author doesn’t actually have to include any Judaism thanks to falling on a technicality (yes, there are unobservant Jews) while still being able to tell a “Jewish story.� (the author also claims she felt like she was allowed to tell this story because she’s married to a Jewish person and her children are raised Jewish � and that in my opinion makes it worse. Again, why write a Jewish story about Jewish persecution when you never actually include anything Jewish except for exclaiming multiples times on multiple pages just how the character is just so Jewish!)
At least in NUMBER THE STARS, Lowry included Shabbat observances and Rosh Hashanah (though the celebration of Rosh Hashanah is tied to the historical event where the Rabbi of Denmark told all of the synagogue members to go into hiding that evening). Sara in WHITE BIRD doesn’t even wear a Magen David necklace that she needs to rip off and hide to save herself from the Nazis.
Instead, she’s portrayed as popular, selfish, spoiled and a brat. Her biggest crime is ignoring the boy who sits next to her � Julian, who has been crippled due to contracting polio. She doesn’t actively bully him, and when she’s silent when a vocally pro-Nazi bully teases him, it’s portrayed as selfish (instead of uuhhhh, maybe not wanting to draw attention to herself for being Jewish and like, one of those people Nazis like to physically hurt?) No other character defends Julian, yet it’s Sara alone who is burdened with the label of selfishness. Holy shit.
Even the scene where Sara’s mother declares their safety in the form of not going to temple is clearly at dinner and yet clearly not observing Shabbat. Although wine sits on the table, there is clearly no challah, no candles burning. And although there could have been a discussion on how assimilation is often offered by oppressors as a safety net (then going back on those promises once power is secured), no further discussion is ever brought up. Sara doesn’t get enraged that her own Jewish-less-ness didn’t end up offering protection. Sara doesn’t get confused as a gentile. It’s all so... empty. Her Jewishess ends up not mattering to the narrative, despite the constant mentions of just how much it should matter in text.
If it weren’t for the author’s constant mention of her Jewishness, Sara is coded as Christian. Even her beliefs fall more in line with Christianity than with Judaism.
There’s a scene, where she is being chased by the main bully-turned-Nazi. And despite not knowing for sure the fate of her maman, Sara prays to her (?!) to save her from her impending death. This would be heresy in Judaism, where no one comes between a person and G-d.
This was set up SO easily to have the character of Sara come full circle. To have Sara draw upon the Judaism (whose estrangement from was supposed to protect her from Nazism) during her time of need and it’s tragic to see this opportunity missed. Instead, her maman, now called upon by the power of Christian prayer, comes in the form of a white bird-turned-wolf who slaughters the Nazi for her daughter.
Later, when Julian is targeted by Nazis for his polio injuries (an odd omission seeing that the disabled were some of the first people to be removed from society, but of course we have to use the disabled to make the main characters learn a lesson), Sara thinks further thoughts that aren’t inline with Judaism.
“I don’t know exactly how he died,� Sara muses. “All I know is what I believe, that his soul rose up that morning, free of his body, free of all his earthly limitations. Free as a bird.�
I’ll address the ableism in that line of thinking in a moment, but generally, Jews don’t have a concept of souls ‘rising up� � again, this is more in line with Christian ideas of a heaven that the pure and good head to.
But the ableism here is the worst part. The idea that freedom can only be reached for the disabled through death, this line of thinking frames Julian’s death as a blessing in disguise. Now that he’s imparted Sara with the lessons of kindness, he’s no longer important to the story except as a tragic death to cry over.
His death is utterly meaningless. He dies for nothing other than to demonstrate the cruelty of the Nazis and to show the audience that dying while disabled is seen as a kindness.
And then, when we return to the modern world, Julian-the-bully-of-Wonder-fame decides he’s going to start protesting against fascist acts in the United States... because? Marginalized characters were able to be teaching moments for an apparently privileged kid.
Ableism. Julian fulfills the role of the ‘pure cripple� who, despite being bullied, is always pure of heart and does the right thing, placed upon a pedestal of perfection that the other characters constantly marvel at because how could he be so nice when everyone is just so darn mean to him? Yet, the irony is that if Julian acted in any way like any able bodied person is allowed to act, the narrative shatters. He’s not allowed to be angry (except at Sara for her ‘selfishness� of trying to protect him because in that moment she didn’t realize that revealing herself would spell certain doom for all Julian’s entire family).
So much depends on him fulfilling this archetype. Read DISFIGURED by Amanda Leduc for a disabled perspective on the ‘pure disabled character� trope. (literally Julian dies the second he’s taught his lesson).
All in all, there was nothing inherently Jewish about the Jewish characters. If you remove all teh Jewishness of your Jewish characters, why are you even telling a Jewish story?
0/5 -- not a great book about the Holocaust. Jews and the disabled do not suffer injustices in order to be teaching points for the privileged.
February 1, 2021
A-Z Challenge Character Edition 2021: M.
¿Como explicar el dolor que se siente al acabar esta historia?
No tengo palabras para para expresar lo que me ha hecho sentir. Fue una historia tan maravillosa, por los personajes bondadosos, y tan desgarrador, por lo que cuenta.
Julien. Oh, Julien.
Qué personaje más hermoso y conmovedor.
Vuela hasta el cielo más rápido que los cuervos, siempre Julien.
Si hubiese sabido de qué iba la historia, no lo hubiese leído y no porque fuera una mala historia (todo lo contrario), solo que son temas muy delicados que me hacen muy mal. En pensar todo lo que pasaron y tuvieron que pasar muchísimas familias y personas, es demasiado para mí. Muy fuerte.
"La maldad solo se detendrá cuando las buenas personas decidamos acabar con ella."
¿Como explicar el dolor que se siente al acabar esta historia?
No tengo palabras para para expresar lo que me ha hecho sentir. Fue una historia tan maravillosa, por los personajes bondadosos, y tan desgarrador, por lo que cuenta.
"El tiempo pasa. Es de lo único de lo que podemos estar seguros en la vida: el tiempo no se detiene. Para nadie. Para nada. El tiempo avanza, ajeno a todo."
Julien. Oh, Julien.
Qué personaje más hermoso y conmovedor.
Vuela hasta el cielo más rápido que los cuervos, siempre Julien.
Si hubiese sabido de qué iba la historia, no lo hubiese leído y no porque fuera una mala historia (todo lo contrario), solo que son temas muy delicados que me hacen muy mal. En pensar todo lo que pasaron y tuvieron que pasar muchísimas familias y personas, es demasiado para mí. Muy fuerte.
"Lo hecho no se puede deshacer, pero se puede evitar que vuelva a suceder." - Ana Frank.
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