Silver Days

Following the story begun in Journey to America , this novel takes up the adventures of the Platts, a Jewish family that has escaped from Nazi Germany. In Brooklyn and, later, Southern California, the three girls adjust quickly to the U.S., each working toward her dream, even after World War II begins. They find anti-Semitism, experience kindness and realize the frightening parallel to Nazi Germany in the internment of Japanese-Americans on the West Coast. While there is little drama, and the story moves too quickly for readers to become involved fully in the lives of the characters, their day-to-day struggles and triumphs are lovingly and happily told. Although not as affecting as Aranka Siegal's Upon the Head of a Goat and Grace in the Wilderness , Levitin's novel offers a brief look into America of the '40s from an unusual perspective. Ages 10-up. (Apr.)