October 45, Childhood Memories of the War by Jean-Louis Besson

Grade:  4-8

Summary: In September 1939, seven-year-old Jean-Louis and his family find themselves caught up in the invasion of France by the Germans. Unlike other autobiographical books of World War II, this is a recounting of the experiences of a Catholic boy living through very troubled times.

His father joins the French army and the family is first evacuated to Brittany, only to later return home to Paris.

Through wonderful illustrations and simple clear text, we see the war and its effects through the eyes of a child as he describes day-to-day life over the next six years: listening to Uncle Albert's stories of World War I, watching the Germans' trucks and motorcycles roll into town, learning to ride a bicycle, hating the look and smell of gas masks, making do when the only plentiful food is rutabagas, wondering what has happened to the Jewish students taken away one summer vacation, faking ration tickets, watching planes being shot down over Paris, and receiving chewing gum from the American soldiers who liberate the city. and the family goes to live with relatives in Brittany to escape Paris.

Book Details
Format: Hardcover with dj
Condition :very good; book is like new; dj has edge wear and curling

Publisher: Harcourt, Brace & Co.

ISBN:9780152009557