Book Descriptions
for Emil and Karl by Yankev Glatshteyn
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
From The United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY)
This book, originally written in Yiddish for children who attended Yiddish-speaking schools in the United States, makes a distinct contribution to Holocaust fiction for middle school readers. Set in Vienna in 1940 prior to the U.S. entry into World War II, the story revolves around the friend ship of two young boys, one Jewish and one non-Jewish. Separated from their families, the boys must survive alone amid the terrifying events that are occurring. This book presents a balanced perspective, with the victims including both Jews and non-Jews and several Austrian characters assisting the two boys. ebf
Originally published as Emil un Karl in Yiddish by Farlag M. Translated by Jeffrey Shandler.