Debbie Levy’s narrative in verse is built around her mother’s poesialbum —a traditional friendship album that was popular among girls in Germany at the time of Hitler’s rise. Actual entries from her mother’s friends and classmates form the epigraph for each chapter as twelve-year-old Jutta (Levy’s mother) describes how life for Jews becomes more and more restricted and dangerous. Her father is desperately trying to obtain permission, and then visas, for their family to emigrate to America. Eventually they are able to escape the dangers in their homeland. Blending fact and fiction, Levy is able to convey the monumental events taking place in Germany through the eyes of a girl whose life revolves around family and friendships, all of which become more and more cherished as time goes by and dangers increase. In addition to photographs, a timeline and bibliography, Levy’s afterword offers brief accounts of what happened to her mother’s friends and classmates whose names and words are part of Jutta’s poesiealbum , adding additional depth to this fascinating story. (Ages 10–13)

Like other girls, Jutta Salzberg enjoyed playing with friends, going to school, and visiting relatives. In Germany in 1938, these everyday activities were dangerous for Jews. Jutta and her family tried to lead normal lives, but soon they knew they had to escape???if they could, before it was too late. Throughout 1938, Jutta had her friends and relatives fill her poesiealbum???her autograph book???with inscriptions. Her daughter, Debbie Levy, used these entries as a springboard for telling the story of the Salzberg family's last year in Germany. It was a year of change and chance, confusion and cruelty. It was a year of goodbyes