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Odette's
Secrets
by Maryann Macdonald
TLA Bluebonnet Nominee
2014 Kids Wings Award Book
Odette,
a young Jewish girl living in Paris in 1940, tells the story of her life
in a small apartment with her mother and father. She is cared for after
school by her wise and kindly godmother Madame Marie. When the German
Nazi troops invade her country, she is swept up into the horror of World
War II. Her father enlists in the French army and is soon captured and
sent to a French concentration camp. Her mother secretly joins the French
Resistance but makes elaborate plans to send Odette to a countryside safehouse
when the Nazis enter Paris.
Normal
activities such as going to the park and school soon change for Odette
as Jewish children are banned from parks, libraries, and other public
places. Jewish citizens are required to wear yellow stars sewn onto their
clothing to make them easily recognized. When the Nazis troops begin to
sweep Paris, destroying Jewish businesses and taking Jewish families prisoner,
the plans to hide Odette and hurry her to the countryside kick into gear.
Her godmother quickly rips the yellow star from her clothes and helps
her pack. Resistance fighters escort her to the railroad where she joins
other Jewish children on their way to safety, but her safety depends upon
her keeping secrets. "How many lies would you tell to stay alive?"
Arriving
in a small French village, she joins a family group, learns Catholic prayers,
and blends into her new life as a Christian. Will she be able to keep
the secrets upon which her life depends? Will someone suspect that she
is really is a Jewish child? Will she be turned over the Nazi soldiers
and taken to a concentration camp? Will she ever see her father, mother,
or Madame Marie again? Will Odette survive?
In Odette's
Secrets,
the reality of war focuses on the real life experiences and trials of
this young, courageous Jewish girl. Told in free verse in the present
tense, first person by Odette, readers will find themselves drawn into
her struggles. It is but a small piece in an enormous puzzle, but many
questions and research possibilities arise as readers follow in her footsteps.
Odette's
Secrets
provides youngsters a taste of the fear and horrors experienced by a child
during World War II. It bears witness to the results of mindless
prejudice that transforms into the limitless power of hate. Odette's
Secrets will
remind readers that the Holocaust must never be repeated and never forgotten.
---------------------------------------------------------
Research
Links for
Odette's
Secrets by Maryann Macdonald
Odette's Secrets
Book Trailer
Interview
with Author Maryann Macdonald
Paris under Nazi
Occupation
The
Holocaust Museum for Students
Nazi Influence in World War II
The Third Reich in
Pictures
Map of
Nazi Conquests in World War II
Map
of Europe in World War II
Interactive Map
of Modern Europe
Modern
Map of Europe
Eye
Witness to History
A
Teacher's Guide to the Holocaust: Quizzes
The
United States and the Holocaust
The
Path to Nazi Genocide--Video
from the Holocaust Museum
Recommended for upper grades only.
Who
were the Catholic Saints who Madame Marie sewed into Odette's blanket?
Saint
Michael
Saint Christopher
Translate
into Other Languages
Related
Literature
Someone Named Eva
Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot
The Greatest Skating Race
On the Wings of Heroes
The Yellow Star: The Legend of King
Christian X of Denmark
Passage
to Freedom
The
Butterfly (Thanks to Sandy Lewis
for suggesting this picture book!)
=========================================================
The
Kids Wings literature guide PLUS interactive Jeopardy-type game, perfect
for lesson plans, handouts, or projection on your SmartBoard for Odette's
Secrets is
now available!
This
Kids Wings Activity Guide Contains:
Pre-Reading Discussion Cards
Anticipation Guide
2-Page Readers Theater Script: Building Background on World War Ii
Map Skills: Where is France? Where is Europe in France
Map Skills: Europe Today
When Was This War: A Timeline and Math Activities
Background for World War II
2-Page Readers Theater Introduction for Odette's Secret
Vocabulary List and Activities
Making Connections: Pre & Post Reading Discussion Guide, Chapter
Questions
Odette's Secrets: Taking Notes in a Table
Visualizing the Story: Pages 1-23
Big6 Research: Who Was Saint Christopher?
Crossword Puzzle: Escape from the Soldiers
Big6 Research: What Were the
Holocaust? Third Reich?
Multiple Choice Comprehension: Pages 88-108
Visualizing Village Traditions: Pages 109-117
Multiple Choice Comprehension, Page 25
Writing Prompt: My Home
Writing Prompt: Remember Our Soldiers
Big6 Research: Who Was Joan of Arc?
Logic Puzzle: A Quote about the Holocaust
Discussion and Writing Prompts
Answer Pages
Plus, a BONUS Interactive Jeopardy-type Game
Extend
this story with the story of an American mime, Marcel
Marceau
http://suzyred.com/2014-Monsieur-Marceau.html
********************************
Odette's
Secrets is included in
the Kids Wings' Trials and Courage Collection
of literature guides for award-winning novels and intermediate-level
picture books all on one convenient CD. Included are 848
pages of activities
in 22 titles
PLUS 18 "Jeopardy-type"
games!
You can purchase a literature guide individually for around $17.95,
but if you order Trials and Courage Collection,
you can get 29 literature guides for only $25, or less than $1 each!
This is probably the greatest bargain in the USA, as long as quantities
last!
********************************
More
Award-Winning Books for 2014-2015
Buy
Odette's
Secrets
NOW!
---------------------------------------------
A special
thank you to the superbly talented Jalal
Ali of Syria for allowing us to use his original composition posted
on Laura's
Midi Heaven, "Winter Song" as our background music.
Your purchases through the Kids Wings and Amazon Links help to
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Disclaimer:
The links here have been scrutinized for their grade and age appropriateness;
however, contents of links on the World Wide Web change continuously.
It is advisable that teachers and parents review all links before allowing
student use. Please contact us immediately
if you find any inappropriate links.
Disclaimer:
Texas Bluebonnet AwardSM
is a service mark of the Texas Library Association,
which is in no way affiliated with Kids' Wings or Suzy Red. Use of the
Texas Bluebonnet Award mark in these materials does not imply any endorsement
of any kind on behalf of the Texas Library Association.
The
Texas BluebonnetSM
Book Master List was selected by the Texas BluebonnetSM
Award Committee of the Texas Library
Association.
©
2014, Suzy Red, Lockhart, Texas
All Rights Reserved
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