I Am Lubo: The incredible story of a child's struggle to survive

by Lou Pechi

This is a true story of growing up, before, during, and after the Holocaust. It tells about his struggle, not only to survive, but also to keep his true identity throughout those difficult years. This is also an inspirational story that needs to be told. The story narrated through the eyes of a young boy, fascinated by the all the happenings yet unaware of the dangers that surround him. Despite all the fear, humiliation, difficulties of constant movement, changes of identity, separation from his parents, Lubo remains upbeat and positive. The German bombing of Belgrade, and the brutal prosecution of the Jews in Croatia that followed, shatter Lubo’s pre-war idyllic life in Zagreb, Croatia. To save their lives Lubo’s parents flee to Italy. Not knowing what awaits them, they leave seven year old Lubo with his aunt, married to his Catholic uncle. Two years later, at the age of eight someone informs the Nazis and he is arrested and ready to be sent to the concentration camp in Germany. Through intervention of friends and relatives he is released six hours before the scheduled convoy departure and smuggled to his parents in Italy. The family’s relative safety in Treviso, Italy is broken by the German invasion that forces them to flee again to Rome, where the Allies eventually liberate them. After the liberation, Lubo returns to Communist Yugoslavia, emigrates to Israel, and finally arrives to the United States.

Genres: Nonfiction

293 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 7, 2012

Reviews

[Gsmyles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am definitely biased because I have met Lubo! But this book is a very easy fast read that is eye opening to what it was like to be a young child shuttled back and forth to "safety" during WWII in Yugoslavia. There are not so many accounts of the Holocaust from this region and after having visited both Zagreb and Belgrade- it was fascinating to read about Lou's past. Lou is so charismatic, charming, and funny. He actually lights up a room- and I felt his book semi-explains why he is so able to do so. When you perpetually have to make new friends or fit in- you either become an extreme introvert- or you figure out a way to get people to like you and embrace you! And he definitely has that talent. What I most took away from this read is that if you were Jewish - you had to perpetually hide who you were. It wasn't like Lubo was living in an Orthodox household where Judaism was embedded into all action, daily routine, and decision making-- so many Jewish people were non-practicing or just culturally celebrating their identity which I can relate to today. So many times Lubo had to move, live with relatives for years, travel pretending to be someone else, make new friends, learn new languages, etc. His flexibility and adaptability likely was a great gift. To be honest, I was disappointed in his parents- and am still grappling to understand how they could leave him for long periods of time- or fail to bring him with them when there was no "danger" left. Mutika baffles me- as she ends up in San Diego with a new family and doesn't see her son for 10 years. What type of Mother really does that? I am waiting to read her story next (Book 2) to better understand her character and to withhold judgement. With three kids of my own- the thought of not acknowledging them or being with them during 10 years of their young lives is unthinkable and selfish. And Kolega kind of acts similarly with Mija when he departs Israel to return to Italy leaving Lubo there alone. Anyhow, well written, a good read for upper elementary or teens as it is not violent or graphic- I AM LUBO is well worth your time!

[cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully Written!

A very interesting book. It was hard to put it down. A very sad story of a very young boy and his family. Before the war, they had a beautiful life. Once the war started, he was left with family and friends. His parents trying to get to safety in Italy. They would send for him. They move several times. He never really laid down roots until he was much older and married. Very sad but true story. One you will want to read.

[Marilyn Friedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book

I found the lives of Luby’s family and friends very interesting.

The escapes and adventures tell quite a story. Thanks Lou

[Barbara Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is not simply another holocaust survival tale, but rather a journey of one child’s struggle to discover his true identity. The story begins in June, 1938 in Zagreb with a young boy named Lubo who sketches a happy, carefree life including imitating a traffic policeman and going to the barber shop with his father, Kolega. His mother Mutika adores him; the only thorn in his side is his mean governess, “Fraulein.” Lubo’s carefree life of playing with tin soldiers, trains and cars is shattered on April 6, 1941, when he is trapped in the air raid on Belgrade while visiting his grandmother. His mother takes him on a desperate journey by rail, boat and foot in an attempt to return home, only to find Nazi soldiers in their living room upon their arrival. With a child’s simplicity, Lubo is delighted to see real soldiers carrying real guns visiting his home. Soon Lubo’s parents are required to wear badges indicating that they are Jews, and Kolega joins the army. Conditions rapidly deteriorate; Lubo’s parents decide to convert to Catholicism and flee to Italy.

Lubo embarks on a lifelong quest to find his identity. His journey will include living with aunts, uncles and cousins,staying with his mother in Italy, narrowly avoiding being sent to a concentration camp in Germany, and getting back to Yugoslavia with his father for a short time. Lubo just wants to be back living a normal child’s life with his parents, but their lives keep taking separate turns. Lubo will even find himself on a kibbutz in Israel living with other children of foreigners who also see themselves as outcasts. When Lubo is finally nearing his eighteenth birthday, he decides to join the Israeli Air Force so he can use the technical knowledge he enjoys. Again he is frustrated because he does not have a high school diploma; so he pleads with his mother, who is now living in America to send for him. Lubo finds another roadblock when he arrives in America. He will encounter new forms of discrimination and frustration in America as well. Despite all obstacles, Lubo eventually succeeds in discovering his path to success and happiness.

I am truly impressed with the honestly and sincerity of this memoir which took the author much of his life to write. He writes from the perspective of a frightened child who through no fault of his own has been placed in the path of overwhelming roadblocks to his success. The events of the holocaust are cast in historical perspective seen through the eyes of a young child who had to constantly rearrange his life to suit them. Adding to the uniqueness of the story are the personal photographs of people, places, and events that the author has managed to acquire. It is a powerful read that I think tweens and teens as well as adults will find compelling. Pechi includes an epilogue revealing what happened to each of the major characters. Another bonus feature is a list of questions that the reader should be able to answer after reading the book that will guide classroom or seminar discussion groups on the holocaust. A highly recommended read!

[Ruby Tuesday · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read lots of Holocaust memoirs and this one is very different in the sense that it is written from the perspective of a young child. It's quite comical in places and it's clear that Lubo doesn't understand the grave danger that he is in during the war years. I felt that Lubo's parents put their own needs before his. They moved him around alot once the war was over and his father took him to Israel from Zagreb, only to decide to leave Israel a few years later and work in Italy. It is clear that having to lie about his identity as a child had an impact on him into his adult life especially when his mother asks him to lie about his religion and the fact that he is her son when he emigrates to American and lives with her new family (he hasn't seen her for 10 years). A good read.

[Kathy DeShong · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I Am Lubo" was a true story and an excellent read. It was a little simplistic at times, but then, it was supposed to be the story as told by a child, from the age of 4, until he became an adult at the age of 20. It is the story of growing up Jewish during the Holocaust and WWII. I particularly liked the way he tod the story, but then at the end, he told what happened to everyone he had been involved with during this time. It wasn't the usual savageness of most Holocaust stories but how it was perceived by a child. I actually finished this book 6/19/2014 but couldn't update due to poor internet.

[Marlene · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very briefly told story of a Jewish boy growing up in WWII era Croatia. There are few details of the war because the focus is on Lubo being moved from place to place to protect him. Little details from after the war when his experiences should have affected him most. The worst part was the editing. Many pages had sentences jumbled throughout the paragraphs, making it difficult to follow. I had the Kindle version and this has happened before.

[Teresa Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is unlike other Nazi Holocaust survivor stories I have read and as such, it showed me other ways individuals had to survive WWII.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to see the story of a young boys evading the death camps and to understand that through his lung years he led a lie and had to lead the same lie on different levels

[Eleanor Yoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holocaust stories are all unique and yet so very similar. This young boy was spared death but you never really escape memories like that. A powerful story.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are so many missing words and sentences that it is sometimes hard to follow. A decent enough book though and an interesting life story.

[Vicki]

Very touching, thought provoking book. Worth a read

[Doug Kale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much different perspective on the war - through a kids eyes.

[Patricia Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

It a good story

I like the story. it was a good book. tell the story of a boy growing up in war time and having to hide almost his whole life......sad..

[Eoin Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very moving sad story.