Charles, Veronika The Land Beyond the Wall: An Immigration
Story, 20 pages. PICTURE BOOK. Nimbus,
2017. $23. 9781771084659
This book is the story of a girl who lived inside of a wall
and after her parents leave –she is given over to the care of a stern and
loveless aunt. She dreams of art and sneaks down to the harbor and sails away
with her only friend, a doll. They sail across an ocean and when they arrive –she
is still sad, and only her doll comforts her. Eventually she finds more color
and joy in life and especially artwork.
This is a story of the iron curtain, a topic which 5-6th
graders learn a bit about and are ready to understand –those same students will
have trouble relating to this vague story of a girl and her talking doll. I
would rather it be less dreamy and more factual –giving student readers
something to grasp onto. Not my favorite book about the Iron Curtain for
elementary readers. Younger readers who got a hold of this book would fret about
the girls parents, if the story was make believe –since the doll talks, and if
she ever found a family to live with. The illustrations become more vibrant as
the book goes on –reflecting the changing mood of the young girl.
EL – NOT RECOMMENDED Stephanie, Elementary School Librarian
& Author
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