One thousand tracings: healing the wounds of World War II by Lita Judge. New York: Hyperion Books for Children, 2007. ISBN: 9781423100089

  Annotation: Based on a true story, German friends, suffering deprivation, hunger, and cold, in the aftermath of WWII, request and receive aid for themselves and others from American friends.

  Media: watercolour, collage, b&w photos

  Rating: 4Q/4P

  Curricular connections: History, World War II, Civilian relief

  Grade level: Upper elementary

  Theme: Friendship, generousity, and teamwork, people working together for a common goal are demonstrated in this true story where a community come together, spreading the word with letters, and canning and selling beans for money to prepare and send care packages to needy people overseas after WWII, including shoes, soap, clothes, and toys. More subtly, is the theme of the aftermath of the war, desperation, starvation, cold, and worry over missing loved ones.

lss 31/7/09

One thousand tracings: Healing the wounds of World War II, by Lita Judge. New York: Hyperion, 2007.

ISBN: 978-1423100089

Annotation: Based on the true story of Lita Judge’s grandparents’ humanitarian efforts to help their European friends and acquaintances survive the grueling months following the end of WWII.

Curricular Use: 5^th-7^th grades; History

Illustrations: watercolor, period photos, clippings of letters and memorabilia belonging to the author’s family

4Q/4P

DM 6/20/09

Judge, L. (2007). One thousand tracings : healing the wounds of World War II. New York:  Hyperion Books for Children.

Artwork:  Watercolor paintings and collage

ISBN-13: 978-1-42310-008-9

Prompted by the discovery of letters and foot tracings in her grandparents’ attic, the author recounts the post-WW II relief efforts of her own mother and grandparents as they organize shipments of care packages to ease the suffering of thousands of Germans and other Europeans.  Food, clothing, and shoes are sent, and friendships develop through correspondence.  Scrapbook-style collages of letters, tracings, and photographs enhance the feel of the period.

Curricular connection:  WWII / Grade 10/ CA HSS 10.8 

Subjects: WW II; Civilian relief; Charity

Themes: Generosity is its own reward. When someone is need, regardless of who or where, we must all pitch in and help.

Category: Non-fiction 940.53

Age Level Recommendation: Upper Elementary

Rating: 4Q/3P

AAS 5-4-08