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evarano's review
5.0
Maurice and His Dictionary tell the story of Maurice, a young Jewish boy living with his family in Belgium with World War 2 begins. Luckily, him and his family flee,, moving from country to country to maintain their safety. They end up in Jamaica in a refugee camp where Maurice makes a real attempt to pursue his education and eventual dream of becoming a lawyer.
What an amazing story and book. The illustrations were beautiful. The true story is truly incredible, it was presented in an easy to read and understand fashion, with the right amount of history thrown in. The story is extremely interesting and highlights many important concepts, such as perseverance, the importance of family, education and using whatever resources are offered to you. Maurice's story shows how important it it to never give up on your dreams, no matter what difficulties are thrown your way. I would absolutely use this in a classroom, it is a great story to introduce World War 2 or to show where some individuals ended up. It can also be used in multiple other ways as the story shows very important character traits that are often highlighted in schools. Will absolutely read again and recommend!
Thanks to NetGalley for the free preview in exchange for an honest review.
What an amazing story and book. The illustrations were beautiful. The true story is truly incredible, it was presented in an easy to read and understand fashion, with the right amount of history thrown in. The story is extremely interesting and highlights many important concepts, such as perseverance, the importance of family, education and using whatever resources are offered to you. Maurice's story shows how important it it to never give up on your dreams, no matter what difficulties are thrown your way. I would absolutely use this in a classroom, it is a great story to introduce World War 2 or to show where some individuals ended up. It can also be used in multiple other ways as the story shows very important character traits that are often highlighted in schools. Will absolutely read again and recommend!
Thanks to NetGalley for the free preview in exchange for an honest review.
geekwayne's review
3.0
'Maurice and His Dictionary' by Cary Fagan with illustrations by Enzo Lord Mariano is a picture book based on a true story full of survival and persistence.
Maurice and his family live in Belgium during World War II. Maurice wants to become a lawyer, but his family is Jewish and on the run. When they move to France, then Jamaica, Maurice still keeps trying to find ways to study.
I like this true story of a family enduring through some pretty hard times. I especially liked the photos and story at the end of the book.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Owlkids Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
Maurice and his family live in Belgium during World War II. Maurice wants to become a lawyer, but his family is Jewish and on the run. When they move to France, then Jamaica, Maurice still keeps trying to find ways to study.
I like this true story of a family enduring through some pretty hard times. I especially liked the photos and story at the end of the book.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Owlkids Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
mattyb's review
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, War, and Xenophobia
Minor: Police brutality, Violence, and Vomit
simoneclark's review
5.0
Thank you, Netgalley, for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!
This is a wonderful nonfiction graphic novel for children! This is not your typical story about Jewish refugees during the Holocaust/WWII. This story shows you a different kind of refugee, one family who lived because they made it to Camp Gibraltar in Jamaica. To be honest, I had never heard of Camp Gibraltar before, but this book peaked my interest, so I will definitely try to learn more about that. And I think that is what this book is all about ... it shows human fate, but also makes you want to know more.
This is a wonderful nonfiction graphic novel for children! This is not your typical story about Jewish refugees during the Holocaust/WWII. This story shows you a different kind of refugee, one family who lived because they made it to Camp Gibraltar in Jamaica. To be honest, I had never heard of Camp Gibraltar before, but this book peaked my interest, so I will definitely try to learn more about that. And I think that is what this book is all about ... it shows human fate, but also makes you want to know more.
heetlibrarian's review
5.0
A graphic novel that tells the story of one Jewish family escaping the Nazis and how the young boy doesn’t give up on his quest for an education.
internationalkris's review
5.0
A fantastic short graphic retelling of the experience that the author's father had as a Jewish refugee. There are a lot of events in the story as the family had to move many times, there is also a nice amount of humor and hope.
dawnoftheread's review
4.0
I honestly had not known some Jewish families ended up in Jamaica during WW2!
ljrinaldi's review
5.0
Well researched, and written story of the author's father's escape from Belgium, during World War II. Maurice's family were Jews, and they had to make their way across the continent where they finally fled to Jamaica.
Through it all Maurice wanted to be a lawyer, because only as a lawyer, could all be equal. Sounds as though it was impossible feat, considering he was in a refugee camp, but still he manages to do so, and ends up emigrating to Canada to complete his studies.
Lovely pictures, the story flows well, and bonus, we get to see pictures of the real Maurice, as well as his English dictionary that he used to learn English.
Highly recommend this book, told so simply, yet powerfully, about the determination and luck of this young man, to achieve his dream in the face of all the world threw at him.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
Through it all Maurice wanted to be a lawyer, because only as a lawyer, could all be equal. Sounds as though it was impossible feat, considering he was in a refugee camp, but still he manages to do so, and ends up emigrating to Canada to complete his studies.
Lovely pictures, the story flows well, and bonus, we get to see pictures of the real Maurice, as well as his English dictionary that he used to learn English.
Highly recommend this book, told so simply, yet powerfully, about the determination and luck of this young man, to achieve his dream in the face of all the world threw at him.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
panda_incognito's review
4.0
This juvenile nonfiction graphic novel follows the experiences of a Jewish family that must flee Belgium when the Nazis invade. Maurice, the main character, is the author's father, and this book is based on his stories and outside research. I found this story very interesting and learned a lot, especially since the family's travels ultimately landed them in a Jamaican refugee camp. I had no idea that some European Jews escaped to Jamaica, and it intrigued me to learn more about this.
This story works well as a graphic novel, and the colorful panels clearly differentiate between what is happening in real life versus what the main character is imagining. I liked this touch, especially since it shows how natural it is for people in difficult situations to dream of the future. The dictionary mentioned in the title helped Maurice learn English and gain the education that he longed for, and it is now an heirloom that the author keeps on his desk. The author's note includes a photo of the now-battered dictionary, along with historic photos and additional details about this true story.
This is a great educational resource, but it is also a gripping and well-presented graphic novel, and I would definitely have enjoyed this a kid. I'm glad that I got to read it now, and recommend this to schools, libraries, and families. This is an inspiring and informative story about a lesser known refugee experience in WWII, and stands as a testament to how hard people throughout history have fought to gain their educations.
I received an advance copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This story works well as a graphic novel, and the colorful panels clearly differentiate between what is happening in real life versus what the main character is imagining. I liked this touch, especially since it shows how natural it is for people in difficult situations to dream of the future. The dictionary mentioned in the title helped Maurice learn English and gain the education that he longed for, and it is now an heirloom that the author keeps on his desk. The author's note includes a photo of the now-battered dictionary, along with historic photos and additional details about this true story.
This is a great educational resource, but it is also a gripping and well-presented graphic novel, and I would definitely have enjoyed this a kid. I'm glad that I got to read it now, and recommend this to schools, libraries, and families. This is an inspiring and informative story about a lesser known refugee experience in WWII, and stands as a testament to how hard people throughout history have fought to gain their educations.
I received an advance copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
libraryrobin's review
3.0
Interesting true story of a Jewish family's journey from Belgium, through France and Portugal, to a refugee camp in Jamaica, and the boy who worked hard to maintain his education and become a lawyer.