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What World is Left

What World is Left

Monique Polak (Author) See More (11)
CELA Library
YOUNG ADULT FICTION
Historical | Family | Social Themes
Holocaust , General (see also headings under Social Themes) , Values & Virtues
Orca Book Publishers
8 - 12
12 -
CELAAmazonIndigo
Braille
XXX0000419
$15.99 CAD
English
05/17/2022
EPUB [reflow]
9781459833050
$12.99 CAD
English
05/17/2022
PDF [Fixed Format]
9781459833043
$12.99 CAD
English
05/17/2022
Paperback
9781459833036
$15.95 CAD
English
05/17/2022
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Description

★ “Heartbreaking. An important addition to the Holocaust curriculum.”—Booklist, starred review

A pampered child used to having her own way, Anneke Van Raalte lives outside Amsterdam, where her father is a cartoonist for an Amsterdam newspaper. Though Anneke's family is Jewish, her religion means little to her. Anneke's life changes in 1942 when the Nazis invade Holland and she and her family are deported to Theresienstadt, a concentration camp in Czechoslovakia. Not only are conditions in the camp appalling, but the camp is the site of an elaborate hoax: the Nazis are determined to convince the world that Theresienstadt is an idyllic place and that European Jews are thriving under the Nazi regime. Because he is an artist, Anneke's father is compelled to help in the propaganda campaign, and Anneke finds herself torn between her loyalty to her family and her sense of what is right. What World is Left was inspired by the experiences of the author's mother, who was imprisoned in Theresienstadt during World War II.

The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Monique Polak

Author Bio

Monique Polak is the author of over 30 books for young people. She is a three-time winner of the Quebec Writers’ Federation Prize for Children’s and YA Literature, now called the Janet Savage Blachford Prize. Monique taught for 35 years at Marianopolis College in Montreal. Her previous nonfiction titles include I Am a Feminist and Why Humans Work.

Prizes

  • Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Award (MYRCA)Nominated 2010
  • American Library Association (ALA) Best Books for Young AdultsCommended 2010
  • Booklist Editors’ Choice: Books for YouthCommended 2008
  • Quebec Writers' Federation (QWF) Literary Awards - Janet Savage Blachford Prize for Children’s and Young Adult LiteratureWinner 2009
  • CCBC Best Books for Kids & TeensCommended 2022
  • CCBC Best Books for Kids & TeensCommended 2010
  • Resource Links, The Year's Best BooksCommended 2008

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"An excellent novel—a great tale of overcoming adversity in a time of such dark despair."

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"This book certainly holds its own in the canon of Holocaust-based fiction for the young adult audience...Polak balances this [dark reality] with uplifting moments of friendship, family tenderness and even romance."

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"The descriptive narrative is cohesive, well-constructed, and compelling and provides a different view of what a man deemed necessary to survive.

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★ "Heartbreaking. An important addition to the Holocaust curriculum."

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"The underlying truth of what happened and how her family survived is really what makes this utterly compelling fiction…I am so grateful to [Monique and other authors like her] who tackle these really difficult stories and write unflinching books for teenagers."

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"Recommended."

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"This book is well-written, the characters are developed so well you can relate to them, the setting is described such that you can picture it in your mind, and the action and suspense make you keep turning the pages."

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"Intriguing and quite unique...The reader will undoubtedly find much to think about. I would recommend What World is Left to anyone interested in this often-overlooked piece of history."

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"The pressure and urgency of inspiration, not to mention tears and blood, is palpable everywhere."

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"[Offers] a candid look at a father's presumed collusion, a perspective rarely seen in YA literature about the Holocaust."

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"Well written, thought provoking, and a solid addition to the canon of Holocaust fiction - perfect for reading lists and teens who enjoy historical fiction."

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"A very personal, thought-provoking and, ultimately, hopeful book."

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"This well-written, painful story is a good addition to the genre of Holocaust fiction… Recommended."

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"A powerful story of growing up in unspeakable conditions, of human suffering, loss and, ultimately, hope."

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"Through Anneke's eyes, author Monique Polak presents an astonishing and depressing event."

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"Polak's story breathes life into a period fading from memory."

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"[This] realistic novel, written in memoir format, raises questions of moral principles and beliefs while it portrays the horrors of the Holocaust."

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"Full of hope...This volume makes for great reading and an excellent resource for a school library."

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"Takes the reader to the heart of the horror by creating a character whose vivid confusion, disbelief, and innocence are immediate and powerful."

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“Polak writes authentically...An unusual Holocaust novel told through the eyes of a cognizant, questioning teen.”  — Kirkus Reviews

Biographical note

Monique Polak is the author of more than thirty books for kids and young adults and the three time winner of the Quebec Writers’ Federation Prize for Children’s and YA Literature. In addition to teaching at Marianopolis College in Montreal, Monique is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in Maclean’s Magazine, the Montreal Gazette and other Postmedia newspapers. She is also a columnist on ICI Radio-Canada’s Plus on est de fous, plus on lit! In 2016, Monique was the CBC/ Quebec Writers’ Federation inaugural writer-in-residence. Monique lives in Montreal.