The Wildcat Behind Glass

On the 50th anniversary of the original publication, Emmerich (Good Will Come from the Sea, for adults) offers an approachable translation of this 1936–set historical novel by Zei (Tina’s Web), which takes place on a small Greek island as authoritarianism overtakes the country. Second grader Melia narrates in innocuous first person, chronicling her close relationship with older sister Myrto and their homeschooling by their grandfather, whom islanders call “the Wise Man” and who can recite Homer by heart, and shares myths about his old Greek books, which he calls his “ancients.” Intertwined throughout are elaborate tales of a stuffed wildcat who sends Melia secret messages from behind the window of their great-aunt Despina’s house. As the sisters chafe against “boring Sundays” and their father’s strict rules, and look forward to their summers of freedom, increasingly tense but seemingly far-off politics on the mainland become personal when their idealistic cousin Nikos must flee persecution. Things worsen when Myrto begins reporting on her own family. Via Melia’s recounting of her experiences, Zei presents a child’s viewpoint into life under creeping dictatorship. A beginning “Note for Curious Readers” places the narrative in context, including defining fascism and explaining Greek philosophers such as Plato. Ages 9–12. (May)