Good Night, Maman: A Historical Novel About Jewish Siblings Escaping Occupied Paris During WWII

by Norma Fox Mazer

Young readers who have loved and mourned Anne Frank's Diary of a Young Girl may take solace in the more hopeful ending of Good Night, Maman, Norma Fox Mazer's tender story of a brother and sister's escape from the Holocaust. Like all Jews in France during World War II, Karin and her older brother Marc are on the run from the Nazis. At first the siblings and their strong and gentle mother hide for more than a year in a tiny storage closet in a neighbor's house. But when the Jew Searches are intensified, they must leave, traveling on foot and only at night. At last Karin and Marc are lucky enough to find places on a ship bound for the United States, but Maman is too ill for the journey and must stay behind. At the refugee camp in Oswego, New York, Karin takes comfort in writing unmailed letter after letter to her mother, as she and Marc struggle to adjust to a new country, a new language, and each other's changing needs. Marc finally reveals that Maman is dead, a sad fact he has kept to himself to shelter his sister--to allow her to increase her own strength with the support of her mother's remembered presence.

Mazer based her novel on historical fact--the camp at Fort Ontario in Oswego was the only official shelter offered to European Jews by the United States. For a contrasting treatment of this same setting, teens will want to read Two Suns in the Sky, by Miriam Bat-Ami. (Ages 10 to 14) --Patty Campbell

Genres: Historical Fiction, Holocaust, Young Adult, World War II, Historical, Childrens, Fiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Norma Fox Mazer was an American author and teacher, best known for her books for children and young adults.

She was born in New York City but grew up in Glens Falls, New York, with parents Michael and Jean Garlan Fox. Mazer graduated from Glens Falls High School, then went to Antioch College, where she met Harry Mazer, whom she married in 1950; they have four children, one of whom, Anne Mazer, is also a writer. She also studied at Syracuse University.

New York Times Book Review contributor Ruth I. Gordon wrote that Mazer "has the skill to reveal the human qualities in both ordinary and extraordinary situations as young people mature....it would be a shame to limit their reading to young people, since they can show an adult reader much about the sometimes painful rite of adolescent passage into adulthood."

Among the honors Mazer earned for her writing were a National Book Award nomination in 1973, an American Library Association Notable Book citation in 1976, inclusion on the New York Times Outstanding Books of the Year list in 1976, the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award in 1978, an Edgar Award in 1982, German Children's Literature prizes in 1982 and 1989, and a Newbery Medal in 1988.

Mazer taught in the Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children & Young Adults Program at Vermont College.

For more information, please see http://www.answers.com/topic/norma-fo...

Reviews

[The Bookworm Girl Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was moving and sobering. I didn’t know anything about the Oswego immigrants, so this was quite interesting. I’ve read other World War II books that were more my cup of tea, but this book is a good coming-of-age story.

Content warnings: two mentions of “Go to h*ll”, one male character looks at a female’s chest, and necking is mentioned at one point (but only as a question).

[Rebecca Tabish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this book is on the topic of World War II, it's heart-wrenchingly BEAUTIFUL! I definitely recommend this for anyone that likes a good tear-jerker.

[Cael Ormsby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I enjoyed that they showed a realistic view of how some families actually ended up during the holocaust. My personal favorite character was Peggy, she was so nice to Karin and took her under her wing when Karin got to the U.S. and was always defending her from people like Zoey. There was one aspect of the book that made me emotional and that was the fact that whenever we saw one of Karin's various letters to Maman, we could infer that she was probably dead, but Karin had no clue and then when she finally did find out at the end of the book, my heart broke for her. However, Karin and her brother Marc, did have a happy ending and I enjoyed that. Overall, I loved the book and I recommend this book to everyone because it's a short read, but it has a great story.

[SuperAWESOMEAnnie.5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Night Maman is about how two kids are going to go on an adventure to America. The main characters were Karin Levi, Marc Levi, and Maman they were important because this was their experience in WWII. My favorite character honestly would be Karin because even though she was slowly going farther away from her Maman she wrote letters to her even though they couldn’t be sent.

I could relate to Maman because I had to let my cousin go back to Wichita and I was really going to miss him. She had to let her children go because she knew it was the best for them.

I loved this book because it’s so interesting and I think this is probably my favorite book ever. My favorite part of the book was when Karin started going to school. It was fun to see how she talked to others when she’s not that good at English. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading fiction books about other people’s experiences.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminds me of Elie Wiesel’s Night because it’s about the Holocaust except this time, they are leaving for America instead of trying to leave the concentration camps. It is a very touching book because although Karin and Marc (who are brother and sister) are able to escape the events of World War II, they have to leave Maman (their mother) behind due to an illness. Later on, when the children are finally in America, they know that they are safe. From that point on, the events that are written during the war are presented from the American point of view. Although Karin and Marc are safe, they still realize that everything isn’t alright until they get their mother back. At the end of the book they find out something extremely sad and it almost makes you want to cry because most of the journey was about that one thing.
I think that the letters Karin kept writing to Maman were about hope. It was partially about missing her mother, but the letters were what kept Karin going throughout her journey to America. I recommend this book for people who want a good read because this is the book to do it. It’s a book with a bittersweet ending and it makes you realize that you have the strength to move on from something harsh that might eventually happen to you someday.

[Angie Fehl · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Germans occupy Paris in the summer of 1940, Karin Levi's father is killed, her mother falls sick, and Karin's family is forced to go into hiding with several other Jewish families in the area. When the family is evicted from their first hiding place, they flee to Italy, where they are taken in by Monsieur Taubert, until it becomes too unsafe for everyone to stay. Taubert arranges travel for Karin and her brother, and a false ID for their mother, allowing her to stay with him. It is recommended that the siblings travel to Naples where they can board the American ship Henry Gibbons. Karin and her brother gain passage on the ship, knowing they have no choice but to leave their mother behind, at least for the time being. They make it to the States, where they begin to build a new life at a refugee camp at Fort Ontario in Oswego, NY.

It's inspiring to see American characters of this era, which not much to their names, still coming together to help comfort and offer support to scared immigrant children.

[Abby James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Night Maman was a captivating story about a girl and her brothers journey in WWII. Karin Levi, her brother Marc Levi, and their mother have to travel far distances finding food and shelter whenever they can. They have to live with the constant fear of being caught simply because they are Jewish. There mother ends up getting sick, and they must leave her behind, and continue there journey. Finally, they make it to the American Ship, the Henry Gibbins. They travel to America, and adjust to there new lives which contain, American schools, and new friends. Karin holds on to Maman by writing her letters that she will never get to see. I enjoyed this book, and would recommend it. It shows a brand new side of WWII, and keeps you on your toes. I loved how Karen learned to persevere despite all of the challenges that were thrown at her.

[Andi Masdon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written underdog story!

A very well written and believable underdog story of a young Jewish girl and her brother trying to escape the horrors of the Holocaust and hold on to each other as they lose everything else. Even against all odds, young Karin clings to hope and tries to remain optimistic through her tribulation. Her story is beautifully written through first person narrative and the sweet letters she writes to her mother. It made me smile and cry and hope...and everything in between. An excellent read for anyone, boy or girl, age 10 and up.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Clunky, dry story of a Jewish French girl who goes to America with her brother during World War II. Character development was nearly zero, the dialog was stilted, and the plot just seemed boring to me. I can't really imagine children finding much to interest them in this book either. There were a couple of things that seemed inappropriate for children also, which was weird (swearing incident for one).

[Alaina · Rating 3 out of 5]

We read this for school. Good parts: it was a good picture into the life of what a young refugee might think and feel with war and all the change of loss of home would be like. I had to skip over a few lines here and there as my listeners are young and there was some talk about girls coming of age and relationship details that we didn't need. But over all it is a good sad story based in reality for than happy endings.

[Judine Brey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept of this novel was great - utilizing a little-known World War II event of Jewish refugees coming to America. However, I'm not convinced this was effective as a young adult novel; many of the passages were too simplistic. I could see a more To Kill a Mockingbird style novel accomplishing what the author was trying to do more effectively.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this up off the adult shelf at a Little Free Library and was disappointed once I started reading it because it lacked nuance and seemed extremely juvenile. Turns out it was misshelved. Totally a kid’s book. Overly sanitized in my opinion, even for the intended age range.

[Shawna Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

My heart hurt for the sweet littles in this book that lost all. Their story was one of endurance that had me cheering loudly at each obstacle they overcame. While their story did not have a happy ever after......they found meaning in new things and an abundance of love from others.

[Meghan Szady · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very unique perspective of the Holocaust. It was about Jews in France and their experience. It provided a historical explanation at the end. It was from a girl perspective, which makes it relatable to younger readers.

[Jenny Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sad book, but et with an underlying message of hope.

[Amanda Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a good book! It shows life during the Holocaust from the point of view of a girl who fled to America.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, that I finished it in one sitting

[Melanie R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simplistic book regarding immigrants during WW2 that come to America while the war rages in Europe .

[Esmeralda Monreal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Good Night, Maman is about a girl named Karin who goes across a long journey with her mom and her brother Marc. The main character is Karin the 12 year old girl who does anything for her mom and brother to stay alive. My favorite character is Marc because after they leave their mom he still stays strong and takes care of his little sister through all the trouble they get into.
I can relate to this book because I have to take care of my little sibling and it does take lots of responsibility. In a part of the book Karin has to make a decision of leaving her mom or staying with her. I'm pretty sure that was one of the hardest thing she has ever tried to do.
My opinion on the book was a 5 star because I really like how the author shows what everyone is feeling and it make you fell like you were their with her. I would definitely recommend this book to a person who like to read about WWII and the perspective of others.

[Margo Tanenbaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

This moving novel by award-winning children's novelist Norma Fox Mazer (who sadly passed away in 2009) tells the story of Karin Levi, a 12-year old girl whose comfortable life is overturned when the Nazis occupy Paris in 1940. Karin, together with her mother and older brother, flee Nazi-occupied Paris and start a new life of constant fear, as they are first hidden in the countryside, and later escape into American-occupied Southern Italy (without their mother, who by this point in the narrative is too ill to travel).

The two children manage to secure passage on the Henry Gibbons, an actual ship filled with European refugees which came to the U.S. in 1944. Although the United States, like other countries around the world, largely turned its back on the desperate Jews of Europe, in 1944 FDR decided to permit transport of 1,000 refugees from Italy to the United States. Many but not all of those who sailed were Jews, as Roosevelt did not want the venture to be perceived as a "Jewish project."

The ship's occupants were sent to Fort Ontario in Oswego, New York, where they were put in a refugee camp surrounded by barbed wire. Mazer explains in an afterword that the 982 people on this ship, who came from 15 countries and ranged in age from an infant to an 80-year-old man, were the only group of refugees brought to America by the U.S. government during World War II. When the war ended, those "guests" were allowed by President Truman to stay in the United States.

As one might expect, Karin's adjustment to life in the refugee camp is not easy. Karin, who believes her mother may still be in hiding in France, pours out her heart in letters to her dear maman that she is unable to mail, not knowing where her mother might be. Her older brother Marc "became Maman," trying to provide routine and structure for his younger sister. But he doesn't want to talk about the past. He asks her "Why are you always thinking about things that are done with, Karin? It only makes you feel weak and unhappy." Gradually Karin begins to make friends with other girls at the camp, as well as an older couple, Mr. and Mrs. Stein, who remind her of her grandparents. Soon a girl named Peggy from the other side of the fence befriends her as well, helping her to learn to sound American, and when Karin finally is allowed to start school, Peggy is in her class. Karin is even able to spend her first American Thanksgiving at Peggy's home. But will Karin ever be reunited with her beloved mother?

This novel, published in 1999, would be an excellent book to read in conjunction with Is It Night or Day?, since both deal with young girls about the same age who leave Europe without their parents to begin life as refugees in America--one at the refugee camp in Oswego, the other with relatives in Chicago.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodnight Maman was about this Japanese family that had to go into hiding because of the Germans invading their home town. At first Maman was working for Madame Zetain because she could hide Mark Levi and Karin Levi(her children) up in the attic, but they had to evacuated because the Germans were coming along the way their was A guy who help Maman,Karin, and Mark to get to New Jersey so that they could be safe but Maman fell very sick and she could not travel with them so they had to leave her.Karin Levi and Mark Levi got to America safe while Maman Was back in Valence.The main characters would be Karin Levi, Mark Levi, and Maman because they were the ones who experience the whole thing. Karin is the daughter of Maman she was mostly worried because of Maman, mark and school but at the end she found hope. Mark is Maman’s son and he knew that they wouldn't get to see Maman aging but he wanted to protect his little sister from all the pain even though she find out on here own but he was mostly quiet and kind to people, and then there’s Maman she was mostly kind and caring to their children but she never got to see them again.My favorite character was Karin because the things she said I really comprehended what she was trying to say and because of all the actions/emotion she did/she felt.

I could really relate to Karin because of all the emotions she felt when she was worried and I sometimes feel all those emotions too.Also because of the things she did/say because she had some very good quotes that really hit me because I knew about what she was talking about.

I really liked that book because of it’s topic and how people felt throughout this horrible time and I could really connect to the characters in this book.

My favorite part of the book was where it was close to the end to the war and Karin knew that she was never going to see Maman aging but she still felt hopeful when a lady told her to remember in this special day because there won’t be another like this one in Karin’s Life.

I would absolutely recommend this book to other people because it would be a great book about the holocaust and events that happened throughout WW2.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a unique story in the YA Holocaust literature cannon. So many books focus on the victims, the survivors, the witnesses, and the resistors. This one book is a fictional account based on the real experiences of people who escaped to the U.S.

The history: In June 1944, FDR realized that the US had not been very good to those trying to escape Hitler, and he sent a large boat to Naples to pick them up. On the boat, about 1,000 came to America and spent the rest of the war in the old army base at Lake Oswego. The idea was to hold them safely, and then send them back to their countries, but Truman decided to give them legal visas and allow them to stay in the US.

The fictional story: In the first third of the book, Karin, her mother, and her older brother are in France, hiding from the Nazi's in a woman's attic. Eventually, they are forced from there, running from town to town as best they can. When news comes of FDR's ship, Karin and her brother get on board. The next third is their trip on the boat, and the final third is about living in the camp and getting used to English and the American people.

I liked this book. It's an easy read, with some funny parts, especially when Karin and her brother are learning English. There is some action in the first third, but it slows down considerably in the rest of the book, when the focus becomes drama with friends and her brother. Karin continues to look to the past, which is rarely happy, and to the future, which also slows down the book for a page or two at a time. However, I'd definitely recommend it to my students and would keep it in my classroom library.

[Casandra Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Night Maman, is about a Japanese family during the Pearl Harbor attack. They had to hide in different house for them not to get caught. A man helped the mom, sister (Karin), and the older brother (Marc) go to a camp in New Jersey. Before they went to the USA, their mom was too sick to go with her children. They left their mom behind and went to the United States of America by themselves. The main character were Karin, the mom, and the older brother Marc. They were important because they were talked about in the whole story. Karin was probably my favorite character because she always thought about all of her family members.

I can relate to the character Karin because when she was in New Jersey and her mom was back home sick, she always thought about her mom. I can relate to her because I always like to make sure my parents are good.

Good Night Maman is a good book. I like reading books about wars, so maybe that’s why I really liked it. My favorite part about the book was when Marc told Karin that their mom was no longer alive because Karin stressed too much over how their mom was doing back home. I would recommend this to another person because you can learn different perspectives of how everyone dealt with the Pearl Harbor attack.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

As her home land is taken under the control of the Nazis, Karin Levi, her older brother Marc Levi, and their Mother (Maman), all have to go into hiding due to the fact that they are Jewish. They stay in Madam Zetain's house, until being suspected. Then they move to yet another home,where Maman gets ill. So ill that when it is time to move on yet again, she is unable to travel with her children. Finally, Marc and Karin find out they will be safe in America. They go on a long boat ride to Oswego, where they are put is a special camp. But it is not anything like a concentration camp, because they are cared for, even though they are in quarantine. When quarantine is lifted, and they are allowed to leave, Karin finds herself facing a world of friends, enemies, a new school with different customs,her brother going through changes, and all she has to keep her going is her journal of letters to Maman. But when even that may be taken away from her, she must find a way to carry on.

[Anna Rubaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the beginning of Good Night, Maman Marc, Karin, and their mom are hiding from the Germans and they have to move around to many different places. Then their mom gets too sick to travel anymore so the kids have to leave her behind. Marc manages to find two open spaces on the Henry Gibbins, a ship going to America. While the distance between Karin and Maman grows, Karin wonders if she'll ever see her Maman again. Good Night, Maman was an average book. It was well written, however I think the ending was boring. All of the action happened in the beginning and then faded so that the end had very little exciting things happening. Overall it was okay and interesting to learn more about the Holocaust. I would recommend it to people who like to read about the Holocaust and the journeys that people had to overcome to survive. It is a good book for teenagers who are looking for a quick read and who are able to understand the events that are hapening.

[Huiling_mei · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes place in the 1940 in Germany and America. It revolves around twelve-year-old Karin, and her older brother Marc, and their mother (Maman). They had to leave their mother behind because she was ill. They were fleeing from Germany taking over Paris to America. It is the time of World War II, not only are they trying to flee, but so are many others. Karin and her brother ends up in a refugees during World War II in a camp in Oswego, New York. It was a really touching story. What makes it very interesting is putting both history and a person's life together. Also, I think people from other countries who came to America can relate a bit because Karin and Marc had to adjust to the new world. It reminds me of the book Elie Wiesel’s Night, because the time periods are the same and the situations are similar.

[Dotty · Rating 4 out of 5]

During the World War II 982 refugees, people who were targeted by Hitler for imprisonment, came to the United States. They were brought by the U. S. government and housed at Fort Ontario, near Oswego, New York. Two of the refugees, siblings, Karin and Marc, are French Jews, from Paris. In the summer of 1944 they boarded a ship in a convoy headed to the States. The two are adjusting to life in the fort, where first they are in quarantine. Later they will attend school in the nearby town.

The Mother of these two was too ill to travel and did not come to the United States. Karin, misses her mother terribly, even though her older brother Marc tries to comfort and support her, but he is just 14 himself. In hopes that her mother is still alive, Karin is writing letters to her mother who she calls Maman.

[Rachel DeStefano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Night, Maman by Norma Fox Mazer is about a family living through the holocaust. They get kicked out of many different "hiding spots" along the way. Karin is the youngest child and her brother Marc is the oldest, he finds them a boat to escape to. Their mother gets sick and can not continue the journey to find safety, and tells them to continue without her. The kids go on with hopes to escape the horror meet up with their mother when the war is over. The book keeps the reader guessing by always moving them to a different setting. However, the author ends the book with very little detail of where everyone ended up and the relationship between the characters. Overall, it was a good book for anyone interested in the holocaust, because it is not filled with historical statistics that drowned out the plot.

[Sandy]

This book was the choice book I picked out last year when we were learning about the Holocaust. I liked it because I learned many things, including that there was a refugee camp in Oswego, New York. I also enjoyed reading it because there were a lot of suspense, especially in the beginning/middle part of the book that made me want to keep reading it. I liked that the story was about the experience of the character Karin and her brother having to leave to the US because it gave a little known event of the WWII. It was a sad story, but overall it was a nice book and I would recommend it to anyone.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very good way to explain to kids the experience of Jewish refugees during World War II. It also tells the story of the 982 refugees brought to America aboard the Henry Gibbins, the ONLY refugees brought to the US during the war. Having gone to college in Oswego (and in the history program, no less) I'd studied about this a lot, heard Ruth Gruber speak, and even got to do some research in the college's archives about the experience.

I'd recommend this for any school library, or for any kid with an interest in this time period.