Jul 9, 2009

T4 by Ann Clare LeZotte

What I Saw (From T4, Page 8)

My visual
Sense
Was so
Strong.

If
A breeze
Shook
The leaves
On
A tree
I

Would

Shriek
With
Delight.

If
People
Ran fast
Past me
It looked
Like
A tidal
Wave.

Even

The motion
Of
A hand
Waving
Goodbye
Startled
Me.

Ann Clare LeZotte's debut novel, T4, uses free verse to provide a powerful look into the impact of the Nazi regime on German nationals, particularly those deemed unfit to live. T4 (Tiergartenstrasse 4) or Action T4 was a Nazi euthanasia program between 1939 and 1941 to "eliminate" the disabled or mentally ill.

"I couldn't communicate./I was trapped in my silence,/As if under a veil.//This made me feel upset/And angry sometimes./I put my face in my pillow/And sobbed and sighed.//" (I didn't learn to speak, Page 7)


Paula Becker is a young girl living in Germany while the Nazi party is at war with the world and persecuting its own people. But she is not just a young German girl, she's also a deaf girl. T4 is a free verse novel that utilizes simple language and images to accurately portray the young narrator's voice. Paula is forced to leave her home and grow up on the run as the Nazi regime seeks out disabled and mentally ill patients for the T4 program. Only one or two poems in the novel seem out of order, but this coincides with the flitting mind of a young girl who is struggling to understand her world and find her place in it.

LeZotte's narrative poems create a cohesive novel for young readers interested in learning more about WWII and the Holocaust. Readers will enjoy the simple imagery and easy-to-read poems, which allow Paula's confusion, curiosity, and evolution to shine through. Some of the most poignant prose poems in this novel are "Poor Kurt," "I Put on Stephanie's Lipstick," "But the Killings Didn't Stop," and "Postscript." T4 is a novel for young readers and adults, which will easily generate discussion and pique children's interest in learning more about WWII and the Holocaust.

Also Reviewed By:
Diary of an Eccentric
Maw Books

Giveaway Reminder:

2-Year Blogiversary Quote Challenge here, here, here, and here.

9 comments:

Sandy Nawrot said...

Just saw Anna's review on this one too. I think it would be good for my daughter to read. Neither of us has had all that much experience with poetry, and it is a topic that we are both interested in. Thanks for bringing it to our attention!

Serena said...

This novel in free verse is a quick read and I really enjoyed it.

Anna said...

I told you it was a fast read! I'm glad you liked this one, too.

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

bermudaonion said...

I may have to give this one a try. It would help me learn more about poetry and count for the WWII challenge!

Serena said...

Bermudaonion: I think its a great little WWII challenge book and its a fast read. I read it in one bus/metro trip.

Julie said...

Serena - You won our Books, Books, and More Books Contest. Please email me at julie@girlsjustreading.com so you can get your prize.

Check out the link here.
http://girlsjustreading.blogspot.com/2009/07/and-winner-is.html

Toni said...

I really want to read this one. Great review. I need to go and check out Anna's review. Thank you.

Serena said...

You reminded me that I needed to add links to the other reviews I've seen of this book. Thanks, Toni!

Anna said...

We've posted your review on War Through the Generations.

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric