Maurice and His Dictionary: A True Story

By Cary Fagan

Book Overview

This is the story of one refugee family's harrowing journey, based on author Cary Fagan's own family history. The graphic novel follows a young Jewish boy, Maurice, and his family as they flee their home in Belgium during the Second World War. They travel by train to Paris, through Spain to Portugal, and finally across the ocean to Jamaica, where they settle in an internment camp.

All the while, Maurice is intent on continuing his education and growing up to be a lawyer. He overcomes obstacles to find a professor to study with, works toward a high school diploma while in the camp, and is ultimately accepted to university in Canada. His English dictionary becomes a beloved tool and beacon of hope through the danger and turmoil of the family's migration.

Moments of lightness and humor balance the darkness in this powerful story of one refugee family's courage and resilience, and of the dictionary that came to represent their freedom.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1771473231
• ISBN13: 9781771473231
• Release Date: October 2020
• Publisher: Owlkids
• Length: 56 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 9.1" x 11.1"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Non-Fiction Middle Grade

This is a non-fiction children's graphic novel about a Jewish refugee family’s flee their home in Belgium during the Second World War. I found the graphic novel to have good pictures and a great story line. I think kids around 5 grade and up would be the best fit for the book. I think the graphic novel was written in away that kids could easy follow the book. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.