The Old Brown Suitcase

Slava's Trilogy #1

by Lillian Boraks-Nemetz

At age fourteen, Slava comes to Canada with her parents and sister and a suitcase filled with memories of a lost childhood, memories that now haunt her new life. She cannot forget the hunger, stench and disease in the Warsaw Ghetto, nor the fear and humiliation of being incarcerated behind a high brick wall. She cannot forget her extraordinary escape from the Ghetto when she walked alone through the gate while the guards were looking the other way. Nor can she forget being swallowed up in a strange and unknown place to survive under a hidden identity.

The story juxtaposes heart-wrenching scenes from a child’s life in war-torn Poland with the life of a teenager trying to adjust to a new country in time of peace. In Canada, it is not easy for Slava to build a bridge between two cultures; nor is it easy to live with the turmoil of her immediate past. At the same time she must face the new challenges involved in being an immigrant, a Jew and a teenage girl.

This new edition appends notes on the Warsaw ghetto and a bibliography for future reading.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Audiobook, Young Adult, Historical, Fiction, Jewish, Holocaust

176 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 1994

Reviews

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author of this book personally lived through the atrocities of World War II as a child in Poland. Her family was Jewish and spent time in the Warsaw ghetto. These experiences are retold through her fictional character, who comes of age after escaping to Canada with the ghosts of Holocaust horrors following her.

Most of this book is a basic, if sometimes moving, look at the war that is acceptable for middle grade readers. There are only a few topics as Elizabeth moves into her teenage years that make this more of a YA read. Older teenagers will probably feel, like I did, that it is somewhat too simplistic.

The story flips back and forth between the main character attempting to create a new life in Canada after the war and her memories of the German occupation of Poland. With all the WWII novels out there, this one doesn't really have anything that makes it stand out, but it could be an introduction to the topic for younger readers.

I listened to this on audio, and the narrator did not particularly add to my enjoyment of the book with her stiff reading of the text.

[❤Marie Gentilcore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short book about a Polish girl named Slava who was a teen during WWII and who emigrated to Canada shortly after the war ended. I have a feeling I would have loved this story if I had read it in my teens because it had a youthful feel to it and covered the serious topics such as the Warsaw Ghetto, losing a sister, hiding from Nazis, etc. as well as less serious but still important topics about boys, dresses, makeup, strict parents, and school.

[Laurel Hicks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an excellent historical novel for young people.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story I would probably rate slightly higher but the audiobook slightly lower. Sofia Bunting-Newman did a great job with the Polish names and accents but she had a trick of audibly swallowing that I found increasingly disgusting as I progressed with this audiobook.

As for the story, I found the sections of the story set in Canada more interesting until it turned into a typical YA romance: does he like me? what if he likes her more? etc. etc.. But even that had its place and I guess it emphasizes the point that however different an immigrant teenaged girl might seem (appearance, accent or language, customs), teens are basically all alike!

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really unique to read a story about a Jewish family during WWII that didn� t actually practice Judaism, but were still persecuted. This award-winning story was written by British Columbian author, Lillian Boraks-Nemetz, who survived the Holocaust in Warsaw, Poland. It� s a straight-forward plot, but it is a story with a lot of power and emotion. I think this novel especially important for youth studying WWII to read as it relates directly to the humanist aspect of war-torn communities, not only the historic facts.

Highly recommended children� s literature.

http://www.monniblog.com/2009/05/the-...

[Arham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Jewish girl named Slava and her parents wanted to escape Poland and the wrath of Hitler, but there was a huge wall that was surrounding them in the little area. They were forced as slaves, so they had no choice, but to bribe them to let Slava escape and go to her grandmother's house. Slava was heartbroken, and her sister was lost somewhere in Poland. Then, one day, she saw 2 figures walking up to her grandmother's house. It was her parents. Later on in the month, she saw Germans, and was frightened, but her parents were celebrating. Her parents told her that the Germans were surrendering. Then, they went back to Poland, and lived their life normally again.

[Alfreda Morrissey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving story on a difficult subject. I listened to the audio book, and I find it makes it even more powerful. It follows a teenage girl throughout the war and after as she struggles to deal with the effects. It is written in the first person and She does an amazing job of describing events especially from her child's perspective. The details a child notices but does not quite understand really make those scenes stand out. This book is especially relevant now that we are hearing about the refugee crisis in Europe at this moment. The message is well delivered, be kind to refugees as you have no idea what they have been through to get here.

[Shaeley Santiago · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Jewish family from Poland immigrates to Canada shortly after WWII. The story is told from the point of view of the oldest daughter with flashbacks to life in Poland. Based on the events of the author's life, this story focuses on their struggles to adapt to life in Canada including learning English and passing classes in high school (due in part to the trauma of their previous life in the Warsaw Ghetto).
#syncya #bookaday

[Tracy Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, even though it is totally different from what I usually read. Told by a young Jewish girl, this story takes you on a journey from before WWII, during, and after, and how it impacted her and her family's lives. Take the trip with her and relive the good and tragic moments that she experienced along the way. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eye-opening story of Polish Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto in WWII. I listened to the audiobook and while the narrator did a good job, the editing could have been better, and I found it hard to follow the structure of the book as it jumped back and forth in time between the main character's time in Poland and Canada.

[Krystl Louwagie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an interesting premises and an important story, so I feel really bad giving it a low review, especially knowing that it's semi auto biographical. But there was just nothing here that really got to me and made me interested. My favorite part of the book was the afterward by the author, which I LOVED and every child or young adult should hear.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Jewish teen living in Canada reveals her war experience in Poland, first in the ghetto, then living in hiding. Once her family is united at the end of the war, they move to Canada. She deals with the fear of letting others know she is Jewish since this was essential to survive in Poland. As her English gets better and she starts making friends, her life gets better.

[Karam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an old book and it speaks about a 14 year olds old childhood and his life near war. In his suitcase that he carries is old memories of his childhood and his escape from ghetto i put this book under classics in dozen it rock to read.

[Ricki · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was nice to read a slightly different spin on a fictional holocaust story (mostly after the war and in Canada), but some of the story parts fell a little flat, mainly in characterization of Slava's family.

[Sylvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story about survival in Poland during WW2. A bit dry, with characters not developed too well, but good historical value.

[Elaine B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! a suggested read like " Hana's Suitcase"

[Literary Ames]

http://www.audiobooksync.com/books/th...

[Amy Oechsner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kids and I listened to this on audio. Great story! Kids really enjoyed it. I love when they get in the car and say "turn on the book!"

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

About a family of Polish Jews who eventually escape the war to Canada

[TheSaint · Rating 3 out of 5]

Add this to the long list of books that try to make sense of the war of German aggression.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent story of the Holocaust and life as a refugee afterwards that would be enjoyed by many.

[Roxanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

meh.

Pas mauvais mais j'aurais espérer mieux. C'était juste un peu trop maussade comme humeur et j'aurais cru qu'un livre comme telle aurais plus d'espoir.

[II•Amy•II · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a peek into the life of a teenage Polish girl struggling with her past. It tells a lot of her past struggles, and present also. She fights back against Jewish racism and defies death by escaping the camps.

However, the troubles in the camp follow her throughout her teenage years as her classmates harass her over her Jewish culture, and her family’s bond strains itself through these times. Can Slava become a ‘normal’ teen, or will she forever be judged of her culture? When she meets a new friend, Miriam, will her life change? For sure.

This is a beautiful book that shows how cruel the real world can be, but also how kind it can be. Definitely recommend it.

[CaeleighL · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rated The Old Brown Suitcase by Lillian Boraks-Nemetz a 3 because I did not enjoy the book. I did not enjoy it because because I found it not really interesting To be honest. Besides that the book was written very well and was extremely detailed in word choice.

[Liv Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not expecting this book to be as good as it was. I had to read it for an English class and I was willingly taking it home specifically to read it for my own enjoyment. The chapters are split between when she is in Poland and when she is in Canada. I personally preferred the ones in Poland but both were so amazing and insightful to what those people went through

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful little book well written by a polish girl in WW11
She recounts some horrible experiences as a Jew in the ghetto then escaping to her Babushka’s until her parents reclaim her. They come to Canada and her difficulties follow her through her teens.

[Rini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very strong. Tells a tenagers story and warms hearts 💞

[Ryley Balon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still an amazing read

I read this in high school and was filled with so much emotion. A decade and a half later it still does.

[Andréa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Il y a beaucoup qui se passe dans cette histoire. Certaines parties sont difficiles à croire.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read. (Juvenile Fiction). I am looking for a story about Janusz Korczak's orphanage.