| When the Bolshevik Revolution erupts in 1917 persecuting Jews, murdering Mama's family, she and her six-year-old daughter, Raizle, flee to Odessa where her family is again attacked. Mama decides to leave for America to join her husband who left earlier. Sympathetic Christians assist them, but along the way to Romania, Mama is raped. Traveling to the Rothschild House in Paris, the train leaves without them and they board a cattle car for the trip. Paris is a time of stability and happiness while waiting for their visa to Cuba. During a turbulent ocean journey in steerage, Raizle develops the mumps and is allowed to remain in first class. In Cuba, Raizle creates relationships with shopkeepers and becomes fluent in Spanish. Raizle, a precocious and curious child narrates the story of their five-year journey, expressing feelings of anger and insecurity when repeatedly wrenched from people she grows to love and trust. Mama, a strong, determined woman deals with a multitude of life and death situations, driven by the desire to take Raizle to a land of safety. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book? - very sensitive (sigh) Time/era of story - 1900-1920's Ethnic/Regional/Religion Other aspects: Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book War/Revolt/Disaster on civilians Yes Ethnic/regional/gender life Yes Conflict: Main Character Gender - Female Age: - a kid Ethnicity/Nationality Main Adversary Identity: - an organization Age: - 40's-50's Profession/status: How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters Setting How much descriptions of surroundings? - 10 () Europe Yes European country: - Eastern Europe City? Yes Farm/Ranch? Yes Misc setting Writing Style Amount of dialog - mostly dialog |
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