Friends to the Rescue
When a major earthquake hits Luca’s town, everything is destroyed- including the tiny storage room where his grandfather Roberto hid a precious secret, decades ago. Will that secret be the key to saving their battered little town now?
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What the Book is About
Jewish Content and Values
Content Advisory
What the Book is About
This dual-narrative story set in Italy is inspired by actual events. In 2009, Luca and his grandfather, Roberto, survive an earthquake in their small mountain village. The narrative flashes back to 1943, as young Roberto’s parents shelter Sara, a Jewish girl, and her parents from the Nazis. Roberto and Sara become close friends, bonding over football and superhero comics. In 2009, aid workers arrive, along with a bus carrying older adults, including someone named Sara. A tearful reunion follows: Sara has returned with other Jews the town had hidden in order to repay their help from years before. Numerous illustrations accompany this heartwarming story in which Holocaust survivors get a chance to be heroic lifesavers.
Jewish Content and Values
- This story highlights core Jewish values, such as kindness and welcoming the stranger. In 1943, Roberto’s parents hide a Jewish refugee girl, Sara, and her parents; in 2009, Sara and other Jews the town had saved return to help in the aftermath of the earthquake.
- This is a Holocaust story that includes examples of antisemitism.
Content Advisory
A pet dog is found dead after the earthquake. A woman’s body is also discovered lifeless, under the rubble, triggering painful flashbacks for Luca (his parents died in a car accident five years earlier), but these emotions are an important part of his character development. A historical note discussing the Holocaust briefly mentions concentration camps.
What the Book is About
What the Book is About
This dual-narrative story set in Italy is inspired by actual events. In 2009, Luca and his grandfather, Roberto, survive an earthquake in their small mountain village. The narrative flashes back to 1943, as young Roberto’s parents shelter Sara, a Jewish girl, and her parents from the Nazis. Roberto and Sara become close friends, bonding over football and superhero comics. In 2009, aid workers arrive, along with a bus carrying older adults, including someone named Sara. A tearful reunion follows: Sara has returned with other Jews the town had hidden in order to repay their help from years before. Numerous illustrations accompany this heartwarming story in which Holocaust survivors get a chance to be heroic lifesavers.
Jewish Content and Values
Jewish Content and Values
- This story highlights core Jewish values, such as kindness and welcoming the stranger. In 1943, Roberto’s parents hide a Jewish refugee girl, Sara, and her parents; in 2009, Sara and other Jews the town had saved return to help in the aftermath of the earthquake.
- This is a Holocaust story that includes examples of antisemitism.
Content Advisory
Content Advisory
A pet dog is found dead after the earthquake. A woman’s body is also discovered lifeless, under the rubble, triggering painful flashbacks for Luca (his parents died in a car accident five years earlier), but these emotions are an important part of his character development. A historical note discussing the Holocaust briefly mentions concentration camps.
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