Four Perfect Pebbles

by Lila Perl, Marion Blumenthal Lazan

The twentieth-anniversary edition of Marion Blumenthal Lazan's acclaimed Holocaust memoir features new material by the author, a reading group guide, a map, and additional photographs. "The writing is direct, devastating, with no rhetoric or exploitation. The truth is in what's said and in what is left out."--ALA Booklist (starred review)

Marion Blumenthal Lazan's unforgettable and acclaimed memoir recalls the devastating years that shaped her childhood. Following Hitler's rise to power, the Blumenthal family--father, mother, Marion, and her brother, Albert--were trapped in Nazi Germany. They managed eventually to get to Holland, but soon thereafter it was occupied by the Nazis. For the next six and a half years the Blumenthals were forced to live in refugee, transit, and prison camps, including Westerbork in Holland and Bergen-Belsen in Germany, before finally making it to the United States. Their story is one of horror and hardship, but it is also a story of courage, hope, and the will to survive.

Four Perfect Pebbles features forty archival photographs, including several new to this edition, an epilogue, a bibliography, a map, a reading group guide, an index, and a new afterword by the author. First published in 1996, the book was an ALA Notable Book, an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, and IRA Young Adults' Choice, and a Notable Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies, and the recipient of many other honors. "A harrowing and often moving account."--School Library Journal

Genres: History

160 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2016

Reviews

[Mazie (Dorian's Version) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Glad it ended the book and the Holocaust

[Jennifer Keaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving and personal account of a Jewish family during the Holocaust. A story of hope and survival.

[Molly Kremer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a quick read. This author had very similar experiences to the author of the last book I read, My Friend Anne Frank. In fact, she also stayed with the Birnbaum family at a similar time. I enjoyed looking at the photo inserts and thought those enhanced the book.

[Aquaticpop · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve not read a memoir like this one. I learned a lot in such. Short time with this book, throughout its 143 pages. As someone who has been fascinated, saddened, confused and taken back with the Holocaust and World War III ever since I was in middle school and visited the Museum of Tolerance. I thought I knew a lot, after reading this book, I found that there was certain details. I had no idea such as page 24. Among many other pages.

[Kristen Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every single person needs to read this book. We know the atrocities that took place at the hands of the Nazis during World War 2, but we don’t often want to fully know the details. This book shares exactly what everyone needs to read. It carefully explains the horrors that we all need to know and remember, but it’s fast-paced and filled with the hope of survival. In a genre filled with books where you know how it ends before it begins, this one keeps you on the edge of your seat.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This firsthand account was moving, informative, and easy to read. The pictures and prose from Marion and her mother roped you in. I learned more from this book than I did in school about this horrific time.

[Kristen Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of hearing Marion speak (virtually at the school I work at). I was moved to tears, I giggled, my heart was warmed. This story of her family’s experience of the Holocaust needs to be shared.

[Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

i hope that everybody reads this book one day

[Keshia Burchette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot imagine what Marion and her family as well as so many others went through. This story is heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time.

[bex ✯ mizi’s wife ✯ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book, but I read it for school, so the way I was forced to read it/test on it was irritating. But no hate for this book will be accepted ✋

[Dakota237 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of strength and determination. A great short read.

[Amy Ski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth the read!

[Owen Dodd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great. Would this qualify as historical fiction? Been a very long time since I've read this one.

[Shelby Theut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me forever to finish lol, I have a habit of starting too many books, so now no more than 3 at a time, lol

It was a good read, though! Very educating on the Holocaust.

[lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

i feel like this book was lacking more details to help us feel how the author was feeling in that moment and really connect to the story. it’s very objective and the author seems detached from it.