The Honey Jar: An Armenian's Escape to Freedom

by Joan Schoettler

Based on a true story, only some members of a family escape the Armenian genocide and one of them, just a boy during the flight, must return to find a sister who was left behind. “Fantastic reading, well covered, and beautifully presented.”―Varoujan Der Simonian, President, Board of Trustees, Armenian Museum of Fresno In 1920, eight-year-old Bedros fled Armenia with his young sisters, grandmother, and uncle to escape the Turkish soldiers invading their town. But in the confusion, Bedros lost sight of the adults and was left alone to protect his siblings. Hungry, cold, and overwhelmed with responsibility, Bedros failed to remember his promise to his mother…
Told in verse, suspenseful and heart-rending, The Honey Jar depicts a journey from desperation to freedom, anchored in Bedros’ promise to return to his native land and to find the one he left behind. His story will touch the hearts of families everywhere, especially those who have experienced the longing for a new life. More “My grandfather’s letting go of his sister is a pain still felt by many of us today. I often imagine the interchange and the feelings he experienced; the pain of loss and the hope in finding. I carry these feelings of great sadness and joy, as my father has before me. They are treasured possessions that we will always have, like a gold cross and a honey jar.”―Kalem Kazarian, the grandson of Peter Kazarian "I had the honor to read an ARC for this, and oh-my-God! Such a heartrending story of family love, loss, and an unbreakable will to carry on against all odds.  I can't wait till THE HONEY JAR hits the shelves!"―Astrid Kamalyan, author of  A Tale of Armeninan Rug-Washing Day "YOUR BOOK IS AMAZING! Thank you for publishing my nation’s tragedy and raising awareness. I read it yesterday with one breath. Very touching and poetic.”―Tamar Tufenkdjian, Board of Regents of Prelacy Armenian Schools “To truly understand history, events must be tied to the individual stories of those involved. All too often this standard is not met, leading to misinterpretation and misrepresentation. Joan Schoettler‘s, The Honey Jar , reaches this high standard. Her concise, stark, and captivating writing style, renders this story unforgettable.  Genocide’s generational effects can never ever be forgotten.  This book should be recommended reading for all ages.”―Andrew G Kumpuris M.D., F.A.C.C., Chairman, Arkansas Center for Health Improvement "What Schoettler has penned for young readers within these pages is nothing short of breathtaking. Her storytelling prowess is laced with love, hope, and resilience of the human spirit. As grandchild of a genocide survivor, I held on tight to every word and moment  ~ feeling both the courage and intensity of my own grandparents’ journey to freedom. Achingly beautiful and a must read for all Armenian children."―Armen Bacon, author of  An Intimate Portrait of Love, Loss, and Unlikely Friendship and  My Name is Armen “…you did a great job of touching the reader's emotions and raising awareness of important historical events in an age-appropriate way. It's a wonderful story, and knowing that it is based on real experiences makes the book even more poignant.”―Jerry Author of The Shadows of 1915, an Armenian novel “In spare but moving blank verse, author Joan Schoettler weaves in danger―the rat-a-tat of gunfire, bullets raining down―with homey thoughts of baba ganoush, honey dipped from a precious jar, and sisters sleeping like grape leaves, rolled and nestled together. These details set a particular scene, but readers anywhere, in any time, will understand dry throats, skin coated in dust, torn feet bandaged in rags, and a feeling of helpless terror.”―Angelica Shirley Carpenter, Curator Emerita, Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children’s Literature, California State University, Fresno

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Fiction, Novel In Verse

176 pages, Hardcover

First published April 4, 2023

Reviews

[Astrid Kamalyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written, heart-rending story of family love and hope
What a heart-rending story! So, so beautifully written! I could not put it down and cried so much as I read The Honey Jar! It made me recall moments of loss, connection, mutual care, and understanding. I loved how Joan was able to capture the nuances of Armenian family relationships with so much authenticity. While this is an important story of a young Armenian boy's escape from the Genocide, it is also a story of hope and commitment. I recommend the book to everyone, it's not just for middle grade readers.

[Lynn Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Honey Jar is a beautifully written and moving story of an Armenian boy’s flight to freedom. The pacing is quick, and the language is rich, in this novel written in free verse poems. “I push the cart / like Papa shouldered / his heavy wooden plough. / Everything hurts. / My back from pushing. / My heart at leaving. / But, America. / An uncle waits there, / writing of freedom / and a new life.” Tension builds as Bedros leaves Armenia with his relatives and makes heart wrenching choices when he becomes separated from his family. Based on a true story, this book highlights the upheaval of leaving a homeland and establishing roots far away. An author’s note gives more details about Bedros’s family and the genocide that led to them fleeing Armenia. This difficult subject is handled sensitively by the author. If you liked Inside Out & Back Again or Other Words for Home, The Honey Jar should be on your reading list, too!

[Claire Noland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on a true story, this novel-in-verse follows Bedros, an eight-year-old Armenian boy, as he and his family flee their home when Turks take over their city in 1920. Embarking on a dangerous journey, Bedros is responsible for his three younger sisters and, in the chaos, they are separated from the rest of the family. Bedros is faced with difficult decisions and choices which have life-long implications.
The Honey jar is a riveting tale which shines a light on the little-known history of the Armenian genocide and the unimaginable hardships faced by those escaping to freedom.

This is a heart-filled story of family love, hope, and the desire to be reunited. The author’s notes provide the background and inspiration as well as a brief history of Armenia and the genocide.

I highly recommend this book for children ages 8-12 but it will be of interest to adults as well.

[Maria Marianayagam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This stunning story, told in verse, follows eight-year-old Bedros as he flees Armenia with his three younger sisters. In the middle of their journey, he loses the uncle and aunt he's traveling with and must make a heartwrenching decision to help him find them. I read this stunning debut in a day! It brought me to tears. It's a true story, beautifully rendered, and it shines a light and raises awareness about a part of history that feels lesser-known. Although it's a specific tale, it touches on the experiences of so many refugees, even today. A must-read for all young readers!

[BiblioBrandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important and heartbreaking historical fiction novel-in-verse about the Armenian genocide (end note describes how the word genocide was first used to describe what happened to the Armenians in the 1920s). I have to admit that I knew little of this prior to reading this book so I imagine this will be new information for students. I don't think the writing is the best example of poetic narrative but it is a quick read. End matter has author's note describing the real family this novel was based on as well as some historical references.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the Turkish soldiers come to Armenia, Bedros must find the courage to flee with his three younger sisters, his grandmother, and his mother’s honey jar. His mother is too ill to travel and his father stays behind to take care of her leaving Bedros in charge. He tries to keep up with his uncle and finds it hard to go on especially when he is separated from some of his family members. A powerful verse novel that illustrates the impact of the Armenian genocide on one family. Based on a true story with an author’s note and photographs.

[Jennybeast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, powerful, and excellent at making the story of the Armenian genocide accessible. Bedros, 8, after being separated from his elders, after making a long trek on foot from Kars to Alexandros, after being shot at, after spending time in an orphanage and days searching for his Uncle, leaves one of his 3 sisters behind. Based on a true story, and the author has done a great job of representing it.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully written middle-grade novel in verse tells a difficult story in an approachable way. It would make an excellent introduction to the type of hardships faced by not only the Armenians but other persecuted groups.

Note: I received a free signed copy at the ALA conference but was under no obligation to leave a favorable review.

[Susan Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The United Nations recognizes April 24th as a day to commemorate the Armenian Genocide. The Honey Jar is the middle-grade story, honest yet hopeful that tells the story of one family fleeing (among countless others) Armenia to a safer place. But, not without loss and tragedy.
Written in verse, it's powerful.

[Hailey! · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book brings attention to other types of holocausts besides just the nazis I liked this but I also had to read it for class

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Holocaust that people try to forget. Well told middle grade story.

[Maria M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A harrowing and heartbreaking tale of Armenian refugees. Joan Schoettler expertly crafts a vivid setting populated by characters faced with impossible choices. The Honey Jar’s novel-in-verse format makes it a quick read—but one that will stay with you for a very long time.