Greenhorn [Hardcover]

In Anna Olswangers Greenhorn, a young Holocaust survivor arrives at a New York yeshiva in 1946 where he will study and live. His only possession is a small box that he never lets out of his sight. Daniel, the young survivor, rarely talks, but the narrator, a stutterer who bears the taunts of the other boys, comes to consider Daniel his friend.The mystery of whats in the box propels this short work, but its in the complex relationships of the school boys that the human story is revealed. In the end, Aaron, the stutterer, finds his voice and a friend in Daniel, and their bond offers hope for a future life of dreams realized, one in which Daniel is able to let go of his box.Greenhorn is a powerful story that gives human dimension to the Holocaust. It poignantly underscores our flawed humanity and speaks to the healing value of friendship. Families will want to read Greenhorn together. A book to be read by adult and child together. Kirkus Reviews
Olswangers tale evinces a fine ear for the rough-and-tumble speech of city kids and an eye for detail. Publishers Weekly
Daniel arrives at a yeshiva in Brooklyn in 1946, an orphan from the Holocaust. He carries a box with him everywhere, inviting the taunts and curiosity of his fellow students. When its revealed that the box contains soap made by the Nazis, who used human fat in their recipe, the young boys experience a life lesson in cruelty and faith that transcends their differences. Julie Eakin, ForeWord Reviews
Anna Olswanger, author of the award-winning Shlemiel Crooks, handles the material deftly, allowing the loyal friendship of the two boys to set a redemptive tone, while Miriam Nerloves delicate watercolor illustrations evoke the vulnerability and sweetness of childhood, even as the text exposes the cruelty of which human beings are capable. Profoundly moving and filled with accurate historical detail, Greenhorn is an extraordinary book. Rebecca Migdal, Bank Street Books
Quiet and deeply lc)