Updated Edition of the extraordinary true story - with Author's Note & Bonus Materials
"How could we leave the only world we had ever known? Parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins - all were holding hands, clinging to one another, as if they'd never let go."
In 1938, twelve-year-old Edith is forced to leave everything behind-her parents, her tiny German village, and the only life she has ever known-to journey to a place that feels as foreign as the moon: Chicago, Illinois. And she must make this journey alone.
Inspired by the extraordinary true story of the author's mother, one of fourteen hundred children rescued from Nazi Germany through the One Thousand Children project, "Is It Night or Day?" weaves a powerful tale of courage, heartbreak, and resilience. Edith's escape from Hitler's Germany is both a personal triumph and a universal story of survival that echoes through history.
In a world still marked by conflict and displacement, this story resonates more deeply than ever. Perfect for readers who cherish historical fiction, especially fans of "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank and "Number the Stars" by Lois Lowry.
Praise for "Is It Night or Day?"
⭐ "Eloquent and powerful... As with the best writing, the specifics about life as a young immigrant are universal."
-Booklist (Starred Review)
⭐ "This book is an exceptional story of survival and devotion to homeland... Highly Recommended."
-Library Media Connection
⭐ "Chapman captures a plucky determination in Edith that readers will find endearing. There is no Cinderella ending,
but the honesty and hope in her story make this historical fiction well worth reading."-Publishers Weekly
Awards and Recognition
- A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year
- A YALSA Best Fiction Nominee
- A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best
- A Junior Library Guild Selection
- Booklist's 1000 Best Young Adult Books since 2000
Perfect for Readers Who Enjoy:
- A powerful and dramatic historical fiction for young readers.
- Stories of courage, hope, and survival during World War II.
- Discussion guides and bonus materials to explore history more deeply.
BONUS MATERIALS INSIDE!
Includes a discussion guide, an exclusive Q&A with the author, and insights into the remarkable true story as seen on the Oprah Network (OWN).
Don't miss Edith's unforgettable journey of hope and resilience. Click "Buy Now" to add this educational story to your bookshelf today!
Chapman, Fern Schumer: - Chicago-based author Fern Schumer Chapman has written several award-winning books. Viking/Penguin released her most recent work, BROTHERS, SISTERS, STRANGERS: Sibling Estrangement and the Road to Reconciliation, in 2021. She writes a blog for psychologytoday.com, and some of her posts are compiled in her latest work, THE SIBLING ESTRANGEMENT JOURNAL: A Guided Exploration of Your Experiences through Writing. Her memoir, MOTHERLAND, is a popular choice for book clubs, and IS IT NIGHT OR DAY? is read in many middle and high school classes. Twice, Oprah shows have featured her work.
