International Published

Star of Fear, Star of Hope
By: Jo Hoestlandt
Translated from French by Mark Polizzotti

This book is sad, but teaches a good point, and would be wonderful for students to read! This is a story about two friends who face the harsh realities of war at a young age. Helen is turning 9 years old and is unaware of the dangers that occur with being Jewish in a Nazi occupied country. Lydia is Jewish and is forced to wear a yellow star. Helen can’t understand why Lydia must wear the star. On the night that Helen has her birthday party for her ninth birthday, the two girls hear news that Jewish families are being arrested. Lydia becomes panicked and wants to leave immediately to warn her parents. Helen gets upset and declares to Lydia that she is no longer her friend. The two girls never see each other again.