Good-bye Marianne

Good-bye Marianne

Author: Irene Watts

Publisher: Tundra (1998)

ISBN: 088776830X

4 (out of 5) STARS

Summary: In 1938 Marianne's father has disappeared and she has been expelled from school because she is a Jew. As the Nazi's become more controlling and pervasive, Marianne's mother cannot longer keep her safe.

Review: Good-bye Marianne is a graphic novel done in shades of gray and white. The setting is Germany in 1938 when Hilter and the Nazi are beginning their takeover and genocide. It is becoming unsafe for Jews and many businesses are being closed. There are park benches for only Aryans and for only Jews. Marianne is expelled from school because she is a Jew.

This book is a good introduction to young tweens about World War II and the atrocities committed. As the Horn Book review said, “Good-bye Marianne assumes no knowledge of the historical background of Marianne’s situation, its focus is small and precise, and it becomes a meditation on sadness, not horror.” The sorrow and sadness of one little girl makes the story come alive.

Throughout the story Marianne makes two new friends but as soon as they find out she is a Jew they abandon the new friendship. Marianne is surprised and thinks, “We were almost friends for a little while.” Her second friend was able to think through his friendship with Marianne and realize that the friendship was still important no matter what race Marianne was.