The Year of Goodbyes

A True Story of Friendship, Family and Farewells

Contributors

By Debbie Levy

On Sale
Sep 24, 2019
Page Count
160 pages
ISBN-13
9781368054553

In Germany in 1938, life is dangerous. 

Like other twelve-year-old girls, Jutta Salzberg enjoyed playing with friends, going to school, and visiting relatives. In 1938 Germany, 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. 

This powerful story shows a world of change and chance, confusion and cruelty. It was a year of goodbyes.  

  • * "[A] poignant and chilling...[a]n immensely powerful experience.”
    Kirkus, starred review
  • * “Artfully weaving together her mother’s poesiealbum (autograph/poetry album), diary, and her own verse, Levy crafts a poignant portrait of her Jewish mother’s life in 1938 Nazi Germany that crackles with adolescent vitality.”
    Publishers Weekly, starred review
  • * “An outstanding and emotionally taut read.”
    School Library Journal, starred review

Formats and Prices

Price

$12.99

Price

$16.99 CAD

Format

Format:

  1. Hardcover $12.99 $16.99 CAD
  2. ebook $6.99 $8.99 CAD

Debbie Levy

About the Author

Debbie Levy (www.debbielevybooks.com) is the author of The Year of Goodbyes, Imperfect Spiral, Maybe I’ll Sleep in the Bathtub Tonight, and many other books for young readers. A former newspaper editor and lawyer, Debbie is a graduate of the University of Virginia and the University of Michigan Law School. She loves to read, kayak, fish, swim, and take long walks. Debbie lives in Maryland with her husband. They have two grown sons.

Learn more about this author