Angel Girl, by Laurie Friedman

Angel Girl, by Laurie Friedman
Picture Book, 2008

At only 11 years of age, Herman is taken to a labor camp. Nazis make them work hard and feed them little. One day, Herman sees a girl outside the fences who tosses him an apple. His 'Angel Girl' comes back every day with an apple. The war ends, and he leaves and goes to America after getting an education. There on a blind date he miraculously meets his Angel Girl, whom he marries.
I read the book a little unimpressed - with the sheer number of books about the Holocaust, you need to be quite good to make a mark. The details were few, and the story very toned down to the audience. While that was good, it made everything seem so vague. However, at the back is a short synopsis with a picture of Herman and his 'Angel Girl'. After reading that part, it really hit me that it actually happened, and I nearly cried. While I don't feel the author and illustrator quite did the story justice, I can't help but love this bitter-sweet book. Graded B+