Review: Just a Girl
Just a Girl: A True Story of World War II by Lia Levi, translated by Sylvia Notini, illustrated by Jess Mason HarperCollins, 2022 Category: Middle Grade Reviewer: Rinat Hadad Siegel Buy at Bookshop.org Just a Girl was first published in 1994 as a memoir for adults, written in Italian. It won the Elsa Morante First Novel Prize and was Lia Levi's debut novel. In its new adaptation for young readers the memoire is a remarkable read for children ages 8-12. The story is based on Lia's personal experience during World War II, and is told from the point of view of a child. Lia is a shy young girl living in Turin, Italy, when the world starts changing rapidly around her, but not in a good way. Lia’s voice throughout the story is innocent yet striking, simple yet captivating. Lia is asking the right questions, at the right time, about war, hate, discrimination and loyalty. The reader experiences the uprooting of Lia’s world while she learns to adapt to new homes, new schools, new restr