Absolutely fantastic! Could not put the book down. Going to recommend to everyone to check out this book!

Maurice and His Dictionary by Cary Fagan

4 stars

This is a great illustrated story about Cary Fagan's grandfather and his family's escape away from the occupation of the Nazi's during WWII and their escape to Camp Gibraltar located in Jamaica. I appreciated this look into history and it was wonderful to see another part of history. I also enjoyed that this is told from the perspective of Fagan's grandfather. It was a great children's story to teach and inspire hope.



Whimsical Writing Scale: 4

Art Scale: 4

Plotastic Scale: 4

Cover Thoughts: Sweet illustrations.

Than you, Netgalley and Owlkids Books, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Picture book based on the author's life experiences being a part of a Jewish family fleeing WWII. Recently I was participating in an author interview where the point was made that just about all Jewish fiction for young people is focused only on WWII & the Holocaust -- obviously both important parts of history, though it would be nice to see the focus shift some.

I loved this book written about survival for Jews during WWII. It’s written in a positive way and from a different perspective which is wonderful!! The illustrations in this graphic novel picture book fit the text so well. What an inspiring story. Thank you for giving it to us! I received a copy of this book from NetGalley to read.

Education and perseverance through trials describe this picture book about the author's personal family experiences during WW2. Finally arriving in Jamaica, young Maurice yearns to continue his education. The dictionary he receives is a symbol of his perseverance and hope to be better. I wish the dictionary was illustrated throughout the book which would allow a younger audience to remember the importance of it, the few pictorial references must suffice. The illustrations are darker and muted.
Recommended for younger audiences, teens, anyone interested in reading, the importance of continuing your education, life-long learning, WW2, immigrant stories, refugees, and anyone who shares the passion of journaling your family history.

The story of the book is based on the author's own family history. The journey of Maurice and his family from Belgium to Jamaica is really beautiful, although painful, due to Second World War. Maurice wishes to become a lawyer and goes on an educational trip, that begins from Belgium, and covers Spain, Portugal and ends at Jamaica at a internment camp. There, he discovers the way to his educational freedom in a dictionary. And his life changes for good when he is accepted in Canada for higher studies.
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The illustrations were really simple and meaningful. The emotions expressed by each character were on point and heart touching. Alongside Maurice's journey, we get to see the hardships faced by common people during the Second World War. The fear of being caught by enemies, continuous migration and fearful lives for Maurice and his family weave the story in a emotional, yet splendid manner. I loved how Maurice never lost hope to study and become a lawyer amongst the instability in the world given by the WW2. And the dictionary that plays the spotlight role in the book is the spark that Maurice needed to get ahead and go to Canada.
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I wholeheartedly recommend this beautiful book for everyone, for the story and illustrations are too gripping and enjoyable! ❤️

Maurice and His Dictionary is a picture book for older readers told in graphic format, an homage based on the true story of the author's father's experience during the Holocaust. While this book may lack some of the hair-raising details of how Jews were treated by the Nazis and even the French, it is definitely a survival story, and the Fajgenbaum family proved to be very resourceful, especially Max, and they were lucky enough to meet enough kind people to help them escape the Nazis and Europe just in time.

The story is also a homage to Maurice's perseverance. He never wavered in his desire get an education and become a lawyer. And despite all the setbacks Maurice faced, he always followed his father's motto "Solve one problem, then the next, and then the next" which is how he finally finished high school.

The stylized illustrations, in sepia tones giving them a feeling of age, are simple but if you look closely you will discover all kinds of interesting details. The illustrations and the wide white borders around each page provide readers with lots of space to extend the story.

This is such an inspiring story, all the more so because it is a true story. Be sure to read the Author's Note for more information about Maurice, including photographs (there's even one of his dictionary).

And there is a Teacher's Guide that can be downloaded courtesy of the publisher, Owlkids Books.

This book is recommended for readers age 8+

This graphic novel is so well researched, the art fits the mood, and the characters are so well done. A poignant tale, one that fits in with other literature from the same era.

This book shows the power of words. Words connect us and give us a sense of power. We are reading books about refugees in class and this book will be a great addition to the texts we are already involved in. Graphic novels have a way of reaching kids that chapter books sometimes don't and heavy topics put in picture form help soften the blow a bit.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The pictures were stunning and what really brought the story to life. I think that younger readers will really enjoy the book. As an educator, I am excited to read this story aloud and have meaningful discussions with my students.

This short graphic novel can be read in one sitting, but it will stay with you much longer.

The story follows a young Jewish boy, Maurice, and his family as they escape from Belgium during the Second World War and eventually find a temporary home in a Jamaican internment camp.

Overall, Maurice's story is simple and direct, but his courage and determination to overcome any obstacles set in his way are inspiring. Bonus: it's quite unexpectedly funny at times. Very moving and well done.

I loved this books the illustrations the story and the authors notes and pictures at the end. It is a great story about being resilient. You could do so much with this book in a classroom setting. A must read.

Through wonderfully drawn illustrations and thought provoking narrative, Maurice and His Diary is based off a true story about a family during the Holocaust. It's an incredibly well narrated story that captures the hardships during WWII in a way that's appropriate to younger audiences. It's a beautifully written book that I think all classrooms should have!

A fascinating piece of history. This family’s story is one that will stay with me. I can’t wait to share this graphic novel with students.

A very good young graphic novel, featuring a lad and his family fleeing Nazi Europe – first from Brussels to Paris, then to Lisbon, then elsewhere in the world – only to end up in a camp as a DP. Luckily the young lad, our main character, can fulfil some of his dreams, for they are to be educated enough to become a lawyer, and despite being homeless there were enough people around to teach him what he needed to know. Based on the author's own father's young life, I can't say the artwork appealed with its ugly representation of the human face, but it's an interesting story, and the location of their internment camp still makes for a novel look at the Holocaust, however many books on the subject you've read. It has the right moral for the target schoolchild audience, too – namely, "get out there and learn stuff!"

Maurice and His Dictionary is the story of a Jewish family that flees Belgium as the Nazis are coming in during World War Two. Written in a graphic novel type of style it traces the family as they struggle to find a safe place to live, and then as they struggle to make something productive of their lives once they are safe. Maurice, the youngest of the children, manages to get his hands on a dictionary and that changes the course of his future. This was a great read, and perfect for the older elementary school grades. If I were teaching I would add this to my classroom library in an instant.

SO GOOD! My kids loved it, I liked it, and it's one I will be looking to put in our local library history section. I think it is an excellent book.

We get a fair number of books about people displaced by the rise of the Nazis. Refugees or concentration camp victims. Sometimes they can begin to blend together, so its noteworthy when one finds something that distinguishes it. In this case, that focus is education. We see Maurice with a thirst for knowledge, a desire to make more of himself. Circumstance and bureaucracy seem to constantly conspire to hold him pack. It's a prime example of how once a person falls into a hole it can be nearly impossible to get back out.. Maurice has to find creative ways to improve his life. A short book but one well worth reading and rereading.

Interesting story about the author's father, Maurice, and his family's escape during World War II. Maurice's dream was to become a lawyer. Through hard work and determination he found a way to continue his education in a refugee camp in Jamaica. Maurice's father bought him a dictionary and the dictionary helped Maurice with the English language. The dictionary didn't play a big role in the story itself, but the significance of the dictionary becomes clear in the Author's notes where a picture of the dictionary is shown. This is the first time I have read a World War II nonfiction picture book that mentions Jamaica as an escape destination. I really enjoyed this book and I now have an interest in other World War II refugees that fled to Jamaica.

'Maurice and His Dictionary' by Cary Fagan with illustrations by Enzo Lord Mariano is a picture book based on a true story full of survivaly and persistence.

Maurice and his family live in Belgium during World War II. Maurice wants to become a lawyer, but his family is Jewish and on the run. When they move to France, then Jamaica, Maurice still keeps trying to find ways to study.

I like this true story of a family endruing through some pretty hard times. I especially liked the photos and story at the end of the book.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Owlkids Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.