Lost in America

Nicole Nieman #2

by Marilyn Sachs

"'You need to learn to smoke,' Anne-Marie said firmly. 'It makes you look sophisticated. Humphrey Bogart smokes, Lauren Bacall smokes, and all the famous artists, like Picasso -- at least I think he smokes. We have to make a real American girl out of you.'"

Seventeen-year-old Nicole wants nothing more than to be a "real American girl," but the memories of her family, taken by the Nazis and killed at Auschwitz, continue to haunt her as she struggles to make a new life for herself in a strange land. Noted author Marilyn Sachs tells the story of a determined, resourceful girl, based on the life of her own rel-life friend. By turns funny and poignant, Lost in America is a book you will long remember.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Middle Grade, World War II, Holocaust, Childrens

160 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2005

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Struggling to find your place and fit in is never easy as a teenager, and it is even harder for Nicole who has just lost her family in WWII. Now she must use her strength, bravery, and determination to adjust to a new way of life in America. This coming-of-age story offers a different perspective on life after WWII.

[Suebee · Rating 1 out of 5]

French schoolgirl Nicole Nieman loses her mother, father, and younger sister to Auschwitz during WWII (she escapes capture by not being home the night the Gestapo raid her home). At 17, she moves to Cousin Jake's house in New York City, where she struggles to get along with Jake's wife Harriet and Jake's daughter Evvie. She struggles with being an "American girl," but finds her friends among some French girls, also survivors of the war. She and her friend Simone move into an apartment together at the end. (Strangely, Simone is escaping her own family. Her parents and younger brother had moved to America 6 years earlier, sending her to live in the south of France until they were reunited in the USA, and their relationship is strained.) Pedantic, simple writing with one-dimensional characters. Based on a true story.

[Jessie]

I wonder where the editor hid the last third of this book. It was REALLY good, and just as I was starting to love the main character, it ends. WHAMMO. It could have used at least five to ten more chapters. Nothing was really tied up at the end, and the biggest bandage in Lost was the fact that only half of the book takes place in America. They should have named it something different.

All in all, the style was nice, the characters interesting, but not a very satisfying read. AND COUSIN HARRIET IS A JERK!

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought I'd learned plenty about WWII but to learn that there were French Jews embarrassed me, as I should have known that already. And it was also fascinating to see what could happen to a survivor who was without a good support network.

The blurb says 'funny and poignant' but it's also got horrifying bits. I would not recommend the book for sensitive readers under 14 (the age of the girl at the beginning). Otoh, anyone who is aware of all the horror in the world, and wants a short novel that addresses how to move forward from trauma and forge a new life, that also has humor in it, is likely to feel enriched, satisfied, and even delighted by this mostly true story.

(I need to reiterate how wonderful it is to find historical fiction with humor. Not only does it make the themes more palatable, but it's accurate: people will find opportunities to smile and chuckle even in the bleakest times.)

No need to read the first in the series; I didn't know until I read the author's note that there was another, and I'm not interested in it now.

Btw, the cover is fascinating.

[Xiao Yan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lost in a America mainly talks about the life and growing experiences of Nicole Nieman during World war 2. From her home she travels to America after the devastating death of her family ,to seek a better life. But when she arrives at her relatives' house, she feels unwanted and unwelcome. AS she continues to live in America, she faces many problems but she is able to over come it. Throughout the whole book, Nicole learns how to be a more independent and mature person. I thought that this book was okay, not really that interesting though. It would be a good book for those that like hope and survival also growing up issues.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won't recap this story, I'll just give my opinion. I really liked this book, and I was surprised at the end to read that Marilyn Sachs also wrote A Pocket Full Of Seeds, which I didn't really like. (I can't remember why.) I thought this story was well written, interesting and thoughtful. I liked that the main character, Nicole, was always respectful to others and put herself in their shoes. It served Nicole well in her life and made this story worth telling.

[Amanda R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of a young Jewish French girl who came to America following the war to live with some relatives - showed her adapting to life in America, trying to find her home there. I thought this was kind of fluffy, not bad. Actually would rate about a 3.5 or 3.75. Didn't really feel all that much of a connection to Nicole even though she's based on a real person in the author's life.

[Olivia H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lost in America is about this girl named Nicole in Germany. She is a Jew. One day she comes home from school for lunch and find that her family is gone. Taken by the Nazi. So after about a year, she gets her chance to go to America with her fathers cousin. When, she gets there the title of the book really comes out. I am glad I read Lost in America again.

[Victoria Odessky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is about a girl named Nicole who comes to NYC from France after WWII. She lost all of he family because they were killed by the Nazis simply for being Jewish. She struggles to find a job and to adapt to living in the US where everything is unfamiliar to her.

[Camryn Keppler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. I liked learning about the time period and how immigrant teenagers adapted to American living. It was a good book but it didn't have many complex terms or in other words it wasn't a challenging book to read whatsoever. However i did enjoy the story and the characters.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

French survivors of the Holocaust adjust to a new life in New York City.

[Lacey]

This is an awsome book but if you cry dont blame me

[Sara Paulsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was fine end got a little boring

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good. Sad, but a different point of view of post WWII in America with a slightly older main character than most.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a really good story line although it does not have much of a plot. I was entertained throughout the whole book!

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of a young French girl whose family was all killed by the Nazis first year in New York.