Silver Days

Journey to America #2

by Sonia Levitin

Silver Days is Sonia Levitin's story of a Jewish family—escaping from Hitler's Germany—that moves from New York City to California.

In this sequel to Journey to America , the reunited Platt family works hard at settling in to America, but the spectre of the war in Europe continues to affect their lives.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Jewish, Childrens, Young Adult, World War II, Middle Grade, Fiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1989

About the author

Sonia Levitin is a German-American novelist, artist, producer, Holocaust Survivor, and author of over forty novels and picture books for young adults and children, as well as several theatrical plays and published essays on various topics for adults. Her book Incident at Loring Groves won an Edgar Allan Poe Award.

Reviews

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was well-written and entertaining, and its emphasis on the challenges of being a German Jewish immigrant was educational, but unlike its predecessor, this book was overly fixated on teenager interests. Published nineteen years after "Journey to America," this book has a more modern tone, and is not suitable for the target audience of the first. I found the sexual references jarring, because even though they were not graphic, or horrible in and of themselves, they seemed very out of place in a juvenile novel narrated by a thirteen-year-old Jewish girl who lived in a more innocent age. If not for that, I would have given this book another star.

[Whitney Dodds · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was among my childhood favorites. It's about German-Jewish family who has fled to America during WWII. There are three daughters, and this is told from Lisa's perspective (she's the middle child), with excerpts from her diary sprinkled throughout. While I don't know that I would have liked this book as much as an adult without the nostalgia factor, it was a lovely read for me in middle school.

[The Nutmeg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite some content issues (brief discussions about sex, some swearing/taking the Lord's name in vain), this was well worth a read.

[Kayleen Reusser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this tremendously. I learned much about the plight of German Jews coming to America during the war. This author always produces good quality books.

[Kari McDowell · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a rough one. For me, very dark and sexual themes. But everyone has a different tolerance level for those things.

[Angelina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good, in my opinion, as Journey to America, but again, Levitin does a beautiful job of highlighting through her fiction what life was like for the refugees of Nazi persecution, such as the hand-me-down clothes and menial labor.

[Priscilla Herrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lisa's family managed to leave Germany to join their father who had gone to America to make a place for them. This is the story of adjusting to life in a new country immediately before and during World War II.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I'm afraid I have let us wander too far away from our beginnings," Papa murmured. "We must find our way back."
"Back? To the Past?"
"No," Papa said. "But our future must have room in it for the past. For the good things from the past. Like faith."

[Emily]

I love love loved this book when younger!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really different kind of book. Its about a Jewish girl that moves to America during WWII.

[Maeve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all this book three times(2008,2010,2013) It is awesome. I love the 2 other books associated with it too!

[Dawn Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as appropriate for young readers as the first book in the series, but still a lot of great, unique elements to this story of a young girl living through WWII.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 2 of a series - of a Jewish family's experiences after emigrating to America during World War 2. A little predictable.

[Bookishlyinclinded · Rating 2 out of 5]

A harsh look into history reality. Realistic and sadly without much hope.