Skating with the Statue of Liberty

Gr 4–7—In this follow-up to Black Radishes (Delacorte, 2010), Meyer continues the story of a French Jew named Gustave, now 12, who emigrates with his parents to safety in the United States during World War II. Based on memories from the author's father, the story rings true as Gustave starts school at the Joan of Arc Junior High in New York City. His challenges learning English and navigating American culture make for a difficult start for the protagonist, along with his worries about his best friend, Marcel, whom he left behind in France to an uncertain fate. His friendship with September Rose, an African American girl at his school, makes his life easier in some ways, but he also encounters threats for being friends with someone of a different race. Eventually, he joins a French Boy Scout troop, which bring him pleasure, and he begins to fit in at school as his English improves. Letters from a friend in France, though censored by the Nazis, bring news from home and help Gustave appreciate the freedoms he now enjoys. Meyer brings in some very realistic details to the story, such as Gustave's mother's struggle at the grocery store, where bargaining is not customary as it was in France; the family's first experience with a banana; and Gustave's negative reaction to police officers. Gustave is disappointed to encounter racism and religious intolerance in America, where he finds "liberty and justice for all" is not always the case. September Rose has a teenage brother heavily involved in the Double V Campaign against racial segregation. The interaction between black teens and the New York City police is disturbingly similar to current newspaper headlines. Despite the heavy topics covered, the everyday details of the story guide readers, allowing them to enjoy following Gustave's entry into the United States and his growth toward appreciating all that's ahead for him in his new home. Meyer doesn't try to pretty up Gustave's experience, lending this work a strong note of authenticity.