Tutti's Promise: A novel based on a family's true story of courage and hope during the Holocaust

By K. Heidi Fishman

Book Overview

Anne O'Malley of Booklist writes: "Fishman plots her family's gripping tale in stages-restrictions on Jewish businesses and school attendance; yellow stars and relocations; their removal to one work camp and then to the transport labor camp, Theresienstadt. The spirited, realistic dialogue brings the characters to life. . . . That the family survived to have this powerful, heartening tale told cannot fail to move readers."

In the early 1930s, life for the Jews is on the brink of ruin: Hitler has come to power, and the golden memories of happy times are fading fast.

One young couple, Margret and Heinz Lichtenstern, decide to flee Germany with their parents and young daughter, Tutti. They move to Amsterdam in 1936, where Heinz is able to continue his work and where there seems to be hope for the future. Two years later, Tutti's brother is born, and the family is prospering. But then Germany invades the Netherlands. And in the pre-dawn hours of May 10, 1940, the Lichtensterns suddenly learn that they have not moved far enough away from danger.

Tutti's Promise is the true account of the Lichtenstern family's unwavering quest to stay alive during the Holocaust while protecting others in harm's way. Filled with family photos and historical documents-including one vital Paraguayan passport-this multi-award-winning book is both poignant and gentle for young readers, age 10 and older, allowing them to step into Tutti's shoes as she and her family hold on to hope and each other's hands.

By sharing her story in classrooms and in interviews, Tutti has fulfilled her promise. And by inspiring her daughter, Heidi, to write this book, she has ensured that the world will never forget.

A promise kept is like the twinkling stars in the night sky . . . a constant reminder of something important that makes you who you are.

AWARDS

- Designated a Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People by the National Council for the Social Studies and the Children's Book Council

- Two Silver Medals from the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards:
-Best New Voice in Children's/YA
-Young Reader: Fiction (8-12 Years)

- Moonbeam Children's Book Awards:
Gold Medal Winner for Preteen Fiction

- Nautilus Book Awards:
Silver Winner: Middle Grades Fiction

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0990843017
• ISBN13: 9780990843016
• Release Date: March 2017
• Publisher: MB Publishing
• Length: 238 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.3" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 10 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 5 and higher