By
– September 1, 2011
Through Eva’s Eyes is a picture book based on the experiences of the young author’s grandmother, Eva K. Unterman, in the Lodz Ghetto and afterward, in various concentration camps. The author, Phoebe Eloise Unterman, began writing and illustrating the book when she was 13 years old, when she submitted it to the “Kids-In-Print” contest, where it won a Gold Award in 2006. After a few years of rewriting and redrawing, Landmark House books published her impressive story. She has a genuine ability to discuss history in a way that young people can relate to, and the illustrations creatively depict emotions experienced by many Jewish children throughout Nazi occupied Europe. The author presents her grandmother’s childhood perspective from age 6 to age 12: that of having a happy childhood destroyed by war and persecution until her family was finally liberated by the Russian army. She writes: “The terrifying German occupation of Lodz brought much stress and misery to all Jewish families. Even as a child, I realized that we were being stripped of our rights.”. The writing is very clear and the story is very moving and appropriate for children from about fourth grade and up. It is a wonderful addition to picture books about the Holocaust and has great potential to motivate young people to take stands against prejudice. Ordering information can be found at the author’s website, www.throughevaseyes.com. For ages 10 – 14.
Nathan Weissler is a 2021 college graduate from Maryland, and has been reviewing for Jewish Book Council for over ten years.