Hana's Suitcase

FROM the PUBLISHER of the BOOK

"In March 2000, a suitcase arrived at a children's Holocaust education center in Tokyo, Japan.

Fumiko Ishioka, the center's curator, was captivated by the writing on the outside that identified its owner -- Hana Brady, May 16, 1931, Waisenkind (the German word for orphan).

Children visiting the center were full of questions, such as:

• Who was Hana Brady?
• Where did she come from?
• What was she like?
• What happened to her?

Fueled by their curiosity and her own need to know, Fumiko began a year of detective work, scouring the world for clues to the story of Hana Brady.

Writer Karen Levine follows Fumiko in her search through history, from present-day Japan, Europe and North America back to 1938 Czechoslovakia and the young Hana Brady, a fun-loving child with a passion for ice skating.

Together with Fumiko, we learn of Hana's loving parents and older brother, George, and discover how the family's happy life in a small town was turned upside down by the invasion of the Nazis."




To learn more about Hana, you may want to visit the following websites:

1] HANA'S SUITCASE ~ a site created by her family. Her brother George was the ONLY member of her immediate family to survive and he moved to Canada.

2] HANA'S SUITCASE - CBC ~ a documentary by the author of the eventual book, Karen Levine in which Hana's own brother George also helps retell his and Hana's story. You can view photos from their family's life as you actually listen to George share their story!

The photo of the book cover is from the online Amazon bookstore and if you CLICK on it, you'll be taken there where you'll be able to read what others have said about this amazing story and how it has affected them.

Although written especially for the ages 10-14 reading audience, this compelling story will of interest to every age group since all will be interested in and be blessed by, reading it.