Good-bye Marianne: A Story of Growing Up in Nazi Germany

Escape from Berlin #1

by Irene N. Watts

A heartbreaking story of loss and love.

As autumn turns toward winter in 1938 Berlin, life for Marianne Kohn, a young Jewish girl, begins to crumble. First there was the burning of the neighbourhood shops. Then her father, a mild-mannered bookseller, must leave the family and go into hiding. No longer allowed to go to school or even sit in a café, Marianne’s only comfort is her beloved mother. Things are bad, but could they get even worse? Based on true events, this fictional account of hatred and racism speaks volumes about both history and human nature.


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Graphic Novels, Holocaust, World War II, Fiction, Historical, Childrens

Kindle Edition

First published March 16, 1995

About the author

Irene N. Watts is a German-born Canadian writer and educator. She was born in Berlin in 1931 and lived there for seven years. She moved to the United Kingdom by way of Kindertransport and was educated in England and Wales. Watts earned degrees in English literature and modern history at Cardiff University.

Reviews

[Kate Horan · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the beginning of this sensitive graphic novel about 1938 Berlin, eleven-year old Marianne Kohn has no idea how much danger she is in. First she is expelled from school for being Jewish and now she and her mother must find a new place to live. Through a twist of fate -- her mother calls it a miracle -- Marianne has an opportunity to escape as part of the Kindertransport, but how can she leave her beloved mother? It can be difficult to find a book about this dark period of history that conveys historical facts without causing unnecessary anxiety in children. Shoemaker's pencil drawings convey the narrative in fine detail and capture both the bravery and sadness of Marianne's situation. Adapted from a children's novel by Irene Watts, this graphic novel shines as an example of the delicate balance between words and pictures. Recommended for ages 8 and up, but may be appropriate for a thoughtful and inquisitive younger child.

[Toby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, but incredibly sad for a children's fiction. I guess that's understandable given the topic - Kindertransport, the traveling of Jewish children/orphans to England from Germany in 1938 and 1939 - but still, I almost teared up reading parts of it. Ms. Watts wrote clearly about Marianne's experiences, so that the reader could almost feel them for him- or herself, which is also understandable given that Ms. Watts lived through this time and was part of the Kindertransport.

Definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to a very quick, very interesting read about Kindertransport, something that I had not heard of until I read this book.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

There must be two versions of this book, because multiple reviews note it as a graphic novel. The version I read has this cover and is a slim, middle grade novel based on the author's own experiences during the Hitler era in Germany. It's well-written and hard to put down, taking readers on a journey they are likely to find disturbing but highly credible. Should be great for generating discussions, what-if scenarios, etc.

[Vanessah · Rating 4 out of 5]

As interested as I am in the holocaust, this book made me quite sad. I will never be able to grasp how someone can kill people simply because of their religion, let alone children. This book gave a big insight into what it was like being one of those Jewish children. This book is very small and quick to read, but still heart wrenching all the same.

[Hugh Mcdonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Good-Bye Marianne. Its a quick read middle grade graphic novel we are using as part of our Themed Literature on Persecution of Jews during the Holocaust. Throughout the book it shares the many challenges Jewish people faced in Germany & the desperate choices they were forced to make in order to help keep their families safe. My students are enjoying this one. #mcdreads

[Yeslech · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't realize this was 1 of 3 books which is why it felt too short and unfinished.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the novel version of this story and it was incredibly immediate and powerful. In 1938 the extent of persecution and open attacks on Jews led to the "kinderstransport" program, removing orphaned and other children from Germany to England prior to the declaration of war. Marianne's very personal view of those pre-escape experiences are vivid, harsh, and yet honest and moving.

The number of lives saved is impressive, but pales in comparison to the numbers of those lost in camps and other actions throughout Hitler's rein.

[Canadian Children's Book Centre]

This unusual and compelling graphic novel, an adaptation of Irene Watts’ earlier novel of the same name, opens in Berlin during the autumn of 1938. Marianne Kohn is Jewish and is beginning to feel the tension as the Nazi regime closes in on her. Expelled from school because she is a Jewish student, she remains stuck indoors while her mother works at a local orphanage and her father is “missing.” While her mother tells her to use her time to study, she cannot help but worry about the things she witnesses happening around her. When an opening on the Kindertransporte that would take Marianne to Britain becomes available, Mrs. Kohn makes the heartbreaking decision to send Marianne, knowing that the danger surrounding them may make it impossible for mother and daughter to ever meet again. Still, Mrs. Kohn does this with hope in her heart. While the text is compelling, the drawings are even more so. Beautifully done by Kathryn Shoemaker, the simple black and white pencil sketches evoke feelings of wistfulness and sadness. The reader feels as if they are suddenly immersed in a dark, cold and joyless world – an early December day without the promise of spring for months to come. The drawings suit the text perfectly. They are spare and simple, but command the reader’s interest. The publisher has suggested that this book is suitable for ages 8 to 11. However, this would be a completely foreign world for most eight-year-olds, without the accompanying explanations of an adult. Among the general population, an age range of 10 to 13 would be more suitable. This work certainly is excellent classroom and library material, and wonderful for a patient parent and child to pore through together.

Reviewed by Ann M. Shantz in Canadian Children's Book News
Winter 2009 VOL.32 NO.1

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Good-bye Marianne" is a very emotional and motivational book that was written base on a factual event of the "kindertransporte'' happened back in the 1938s. Marianne, a Jewish girl, grew up in a Nazis powered country, Germany. She and her family have experienced massive amount of stereotypes and have heard lots of hurtful comments about their race and culture. She was not allowed to go to school, the parks and she even had to disguise herself before walking on the streets alone. Her mother,mutti, didn't felt safe keeping Marianne in such a dangerous country, so finally mutti decided to send Marianne to England. Sadly, Marianne had to listen to her mother and left Germany to settle in England, a place where she is able to start a "new" life and have faith.

I picked up this book because i have read books from most of the other genres. Out of curiosity, I chose to read a book from the war genre.

I finished this book because this book really taught me something. I sometimes thought that i am one of the unfortunate children, but after i read this book, i was wrong. There many other children whom are more unfortunate than me.

I would recommend this book to Mr.annismov because he is a history teacher, and in this book there are many historical values in it.

Personal opinion on this book： Although this book described some of the most horrible and terrifying events that happened, i still really like this book because it taught me history in another way.

[Lisa Gricius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good-bye Marianne is an auto-biographical account of author Irene N. Watts experiences growing up in Nazi Europe when Jewish children were forced to leave school and could no longer attend with Aryans. Marianne's mother, concerned for the safety of her child as Hitler's devestation of Jews seems imminent, arranges for Marianne to become part of the Kindertransport in which thousands of Jewish children were taken by boat to safety in England. This graphic novel format of Irene Watts' original novel, illustrated by Kathryn E. Shoemaker is illustrated in pencil and charcoal, capturing the mood and emotion of Marianne and her family during this horrific time. The balloon-enclosed text is easy to read and comprehend against the illustrated panes. The illustrations were appropriate and matched the tone of the plot. Although the plot was limited and somewhat abrupt, this graphic novel could easily be partnered with other re-tellings of this time period. Reluctant readers, those who learn best in a visual format and those who are not ready to emotionally handle the events of this time will benefit from this work. Highly recommended, especially for those in grades 4-6. For those readers interested in learning more about the Kindertransport, this graphic novel will definitely pique there interest to learn and read more on the topic, including me!

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very readable story, perfect for elementary-age kids who are learning about the Holocaust and World War II. It is the story of how Marianne Kohn, an 11-year-old Jewish girl in 1938 Berlin, ends up on the first Kindertransport to England. That Kindertransport was taking orphans to new - and safer - lives in England, but through a series of unexpected events, Marianne's mother is able to secure a spot for her daughter. The various restrictions and hardships that Jewish citizens of Germany had to endure in this time are seamlessly integrated into the story, and you get a sense of the increasing danger and risk for these people.
The format of the book is on the larger side, and the panels are clearly drawn with lots of white space between and crisp lettering, so it is easy to know who is speaking, where they are, and who is who. As much as I love this format, that is not always the case.

[Lady Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very touching story of a young Jewish girl growing up in Nazi Germany. After being expelled from school, Marianne struggles to deal with being hated by Aryans who used to be her friends, missing her father (no one knows where he is, or if he's even alive) and trying to hide her Jewish heritage. But through it all her mother stands as a sort of shelter from the storm, and even though she doesn't want to, when her mother finds her a spot on a ship taking children to England, Marianne goes because she knows it is a sign of her mother's love.

Despite the often covered territory of the plot, Watts does a beautiful job and the graphic novel format allow the pictures to imply emotions that would take far too long to write out. Beautiful!

[Caroline]

This story follows Marianne, a 12-year-old jewish girl living in Berlin shortly after Kristallnacht. Things are changing quickly, and people she used to trust are no-longer interested in knowing any Jews. Marianne's mother struggles to keep her daughter safe and manage while Marianne's father is in hiding. Eventually, there is an opportunity for escape and Marianne must make a tough choice: leave her family behind, or stay in Berlin where her mother can no-longer keep her safe.

This historical fiction is great for children who would like to read about the Holocaust in a different way and wish to see things from the perspective of a child their age. I will recommend this to my young readers who are looking for graphic novels or stories about WWII.

[William Stanger · Rating 4 out of 5]

We bought this little graphic novel in a recent book sale at our local library. It's described as being 'a heartbreaking story of loss and love', which basically it is, being the story of a young Jewish girl growing up in Germany just before the outbreak of World War II. It's aimed at a younger audience, so it doesn't have too many of the more raw elements that other stories based on events during this time have. Having said that, there is enough drawn and written to show the sadness and pain of the times so that a younger person could understand what is going on and how wrong it all was. It's a well-drawn and written story. The art has a certain bleakness, which adds to what the story is all about. It would be a good starter for starting a conversation about the holocaust with children.

[A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully drawn graphic novel on an important topic. I enjoyed it, but I didn't find the story conclusion / context sufficient. For an adult who is very familiar with the history of Kindertransports, I knew what was going on, but a child (the book's audience) would need significant additional outside education to really grasp what this was all about. It felt like it ended abruptly and without a resolution (which--perhaps a tool of craft given the subject matter, but I do not think it's enough to work for children), and there was no afterward or author's note to explain what was going on. Even if the 'ending' were sad (and it likely would be), I think kids who finish this will just wonder what happened next.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mother-Daughter Book Club selection for September 2009. Very easy and quick read. Cute story, but very heavy and sad topic. Made me cry thinking of the poor mother having to send her daughter away in order for her to be safe. I only hope I would have the strength to do the same, but I can't imagine how hard it would be! And I hate not knowing at the end what happens to their family and if they ever see each other again. Still, I would highly recommend it. A good, not too heavy way to introduce the topic of Hitler's treatment of Jews during WWII.

[♥ Sandi ❣ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first of a 3 book trilogy. Altho seated in fact, this is a fictional trilogy, per the author.

Good-bye Marianne tells the story of a Jewish family at the beginning of the atrosities in Hitler's Germany. It is 1938 - before the war - as Jews were being beaten, imprisoned and losing all of their rights and securities as Hitler begins his persecution.

Mariannes father is on the run, Marianne has been banned from her school, and her mother fears for their lives.

Book 2 is Remember Me
Book 3 is Finding Sophie

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another compelling yet heart-breaking story about the Holocaust. This one is about 11 year old Marianne who is forced to leave home due to the Nazi attempt to kill all the Jews. Marianne is forced to look at friendships and relationships in a new light during these rapidly changing, trying circumstances. Well written and well-illustrated - but the abrupt ending left me hanging and feeling like something important had been left out.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sad and beautiful book. This is a wonderful way for a child (my 8 year old) to read about what it would have been like to grow up as a Jewish girl in Nazi Germany. It is a very small story of one little girl and because it is small, it is powerful. My daughter could relate to Marianne and really get a sense of what happened to real people on a very personal level. There have been lots of discussions stemming from this book.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this one up at the library to encourage my little readers. My oldest loves graphic novels and is also interested in Jewish people living in Nazi Germany. I thought the story was really good, although it seems to have a few gaps, as graphic novels are inclined to do. It seemed to not have a point, but I suppose it really shouldn't since those times didn't. The ending left me wanting to know more.

[Emilia P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somebody got into the Children's Comic Book section! This was a true three. It's lovely, it's well done, the text and the images are well-paired, and it's spooky in a real effortless way, but it doesn't pack an emotional punch. Which, it probably should, when you're sending your young child away from Nazi Germany, probably never to see her again. Also, So Long Marianne was in my head the whole time, and I think that was unintentional.

[Miss Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

gr 4-6 104pgs


1938 Berlin, Germany. 11 year old Marianne Kohn finds her world becoming smaller and emptier as the Nazis restrict where she can go and people, like her father, disappear. Her mother constantly reminds her not to draw attention to herself. Marianne misses her father and misses being able to play outside without fear. When space opens up on the kindertransporte, Marianne must decide should she go?

A prequel to "Remeber Me" and it's companion "Finding Sophie"

[Kate Forsyth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A novel for children inspired by the author’s own childhood, this is a beautiful and very moving account of life for a young Jewish girl in Berlin in the early days of World War II. Marianne, like the author, escapes on the Kindertransport to Great Britain, leaving her family behind, so the book does not contain any great atrocity, making it a perfect read for a thoughtful and sensitive child.

[Joanne L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although it was a graphic novel and being short, I enjoyed it and felt almost the same feeling as the main character. I think Marianne is a brave girl and even if the Nazis were basically everywhere, everywhere she went, Marianne had hid her fears and stood bravely at them. After reading, I realized what the title of the book really means.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The text and the art are spare, which is in keeping with the tragedy and loneliness of the time. And while Marianne's story is compelling--I'd be hard-pressed to find a Holocaust narrative that didn't move me in some way--I found this was sorely lacking. An author's note would have been nice, or even an end note about the historical context of Kindertransport.

[Yannick Serres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice faction story about a young girl being caught in the nazi propaganda. She will be one of the lucky in this conflict, but not as lucky as she would like. It is a nice short story, well told, well written.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

An important story to tell, but the poor lettering was distracting and the story a bit garbled. I think the book is intended for a younger audience but there is very little exposition or explanation to actually teach readers new to the subject about the historical period.

[Melinda Agnew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book for telling the story of an 11 year old girl's experience, but it is a very sad book for children of that age as well. I recommend that parents read the story with their child in order to answer any questions that may come up.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read about a girl living in Nazi Germany (1938). I found it lacking something, but overall a good introduction for a young reader learning about the beginnings of the Holocaust.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot is far from new, but the emotional impact is enhanced by the illustrated format. This might be a good introduction to the subject for children.