Hana’s Suitcase

Hana’s Suitcase, a book written by Karen Levine is a true, sad story about a nine year old Jewish girl named Hana Brady. Hana and her family lived in Nove Mesto na Morave, Czechoslovakia. She lived with her brother, her parents and their housekeeper Boshka, who was part of the family, and their loyal dog, Sylva.

Hana had a happy life. Hana often helped her dad in the family store. She also liked playing with her brother George. Hana enjoyed art and she loved to draw. Like many children her age she loved to play. She especially liked playing with her cousins at the ski lodge. She learned to ski at a very early age. Hana was the youngest of all her cousins, but she always lead the group. She also loved to ice skate.

Now her mother was a kind and joyous person who also helped at the family shop. Hana’s mother enjoyed making other people laugh. People would walk to the Brady family store just to hear one of her jokes. In the evening her parents would invite town guests to listen to the radio at their house. Sometimes Hana and her brother would quietly sneak in the hallway out of sight and listen to the radio or to the adult conversations.

However, one night a conversation took place that would change Hana’s world forever. It was like every other night, except the adults talked about a coming war. Mr. Rott, their neighbor told the adults in the room that war was arising and it was not safe for Jews in Czechoslovakia. He told them that they should go to America, Palestine or Canada. Czechoslovakia had been their home, and no one believed Mr. Rott.

However, war came to Czechoslovakia. Adolf Hitler and the Nazis took over Czechoslovakia and Jews were prohibited from many activities. For example, Hana went to the theater with her brother George to see Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. When they arrived, they saw a sign that said, “No Jews Allowed.” Hana and George went home very upset. They did not understand why they could no longer do the things that they once did.

Hana could no longer enjoy the things she liked. She lost friends and every day there were new limitations placed on the Jews, and the Brady family was no exception. Hana could no longer go to school, which made her furious because she liked school and enjoyed learning.

In 1941 Hana’s mother was arrested and sent to a concentration camp in Germany. Hana and George asked their dad when their mother would return home. Later that same year, Hana’s father was also arrested and sent to a concentration camp in Germany. Hana and George went to live with their uncle Ludvik. Uncle Ludvik was married to their father’s sister Heda. Uncle Lidvik was a Christian. He and his wife Heda took a great risk caring for them, because people were not allowed to help or take in Jews. Hana’s parents were killed at Auschwitz.

Lastly, Hana and George were also sent to concentration camps in Germany. Hana was killed in the gas chamber at Auschwitz. George, Hana’s brother was the only surviving member of Hana Brady’s immediate family. George Brady moved to Canada and started a very successful plumbing business, a profession he learned in the German concentration camp.

I dedicate this book review to Hana’s memory. I was assigned this book as a reading assignment and was inspired by Hana’s story. When I first started reading this book I thought it was very sad. The Holocaust was a horrible, sad part of human history. However, Hana’s story was used to teach children all around the world. Hana wanted to be a teacher when she grew up, by having her story told around the world, I believe her dream was accomplished. Hana’s story is about life, family, love, suffering, and survival. Hana’s Suitcase: The Quest to Solve a Holocaust Mystery, is a great read for all ages.

I give this book a thumbs up!