Star of Fear, Star of Hope

Product Information

The morning after Helen spends what happens to be her last night with Lydia, and the last time they're together, she is confused about witnessing the folks with suitcases and stars on their clothes being led out in filed lines by the French police. We may not experience the same things as our friends, we have our differences, which we should learn to appreciate.

Star of Fear, Star of Hope - Jo Hoestlandt - Google Books Star of Fear, Star of Hope - Jo Hoestlandt - Google Books

Helen tells the story reflecting on the time she was a young girl who at the time didn’t fully understand the events that led to her friend’s disappearance. She never sees Lydia again but, in all the intervening years, sustains hope (``with all my heart'') that Lydia has survived. But hardly is he out of sight before Doug is meeting Mohammad, a new neighbor from Syria who (along with further diversifying a cast that began as mostly white but has become increasingly multiethnic over the years) will also be starting fourth grade at summer’s end, and planning a written account of his “horrible” buddy’s exploits.She never sees Lydia again but, in all the intervening years, sustains hope ("with all my heart'') that Lydia has survived.

STAR OF FEAR, STAR OF HOPE | Kirkus Reviews STAR OF FEAR, STAR OF HOPE | Kirkus Reviews

Then later another knock and a male voice said that he was the Midnight Ghost but again the girls did not answer the door. As for writing, this book could serve as a mentor text on how to capture a memory and turn into a more elaborate story. After exploring their desires and identities, the recovered puppets put on the older sister's play, a story that, though she couldn’t have known it, has beautiful symmetry with the puppets’ adventures. However, it could send a very powerful message to my older students both about the Holocaust as well as how important it is to not say mean things to our friends because we never know when we may see them again. Secrets and lies abound in Echenoz's latest wry sendup of the spy thriller, which features a mysterious colonel, a reluctant secret agent, a magnetic beauty and a vanished husband.I also appreciate Johanna Kang, the illustrator, for incorporating simplistic pictures that relate well to the story. French-Vietnamese–born Lê (Slander) weaves a dense, lush tale exploring the chasm between West and East, between the lives of pampered immigrants and the family left behind. This frightening, heartbreaking story of friendship between a Christian girl and a Jewish girl during WWII is a lesson in regret and hope. Fluidly written and centered in events a child can comprehend, the book is an ideal starting point for serious discussion about the Holocaust.

Star of Fear, Star of Hope by Jo Hoestlandt | Goodreads Star of Fear, Star of Hope by Jo Hoestlandt | Goodreads

From his desk he pulls a burned hot dog and other items that featured in past episodes, says goodbye to Song Lee and other classmates, and even (for the first time ever) leads Doug and readers into his house and memento-strewn room for further reminiscing. The students can make a connection to WWII and Hitler through the perspective of Helen’s unintentional interrupted sleepover. I liked that the story included Madam Eleven O'Clock and the Midnight Ghost who were Jews trying to hide using code names, adding fear and tension to the story. The simple storyline brings together a complex combination of elements—ghost stories and fights between friends who suddenly find themselves in the context of war—all of which are penetrated by an equally complex narratorial voice, capable of differentiating among subtle shades of emotion. Set in Northern France when the Nazis invaded, nine year old Helen learns about the yellow star her friend, Lydia, has to wear.

I appreciate that this book is written from the viewpoint of an elderly lady reflecting on her experience as a young child. This narrative is about two young girls, Helen and Lydia during the time of the Holocaust in France. It's an informational book for younger aged students to think about events that happened during a time where Jews were being arrested and distinguished by yellow start sewn on their clothes, like her friend.