Forced Journey: The Saga of Werner Berlinger

Escaping Nazi-controlled Germany in 1939, Werner struggles to create a new life in New York City. Werner has a goal – to get a foothold in America so that his father and little sister can follow.

Forced Journey: the Saga of Werner Berlinger was inspired by true accounts of Jewish children who fled Nazi-held Europe and came to the United States.

Winner 2013 New Mexico Book Award for Historic Fiction, Silver Nautilus Award

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Kids reading “Forced Journey”

Class with “Forced Journey” books

I wanted to touch base as soon as I had finished reading your book, Forced Journey. I couldn’t wait to recommended it to the other librarians here too – loved the historic perspective through a child’s lens and appreciated the historic details that were embedded into the story in a manner that would not overwhelm a young reader. Seeing Manhattan at that time in history as well as our immigration policy shifts leading up to World War II was fascinating and would be a great complement to our middle school students’ study of US history.

Mary P. Buxton, Library Director, University School of Nashville

Just want to tell you how much I enjoyed your book. The lessons Werner learned are universal and so each time you let us know his thoughts and wisdom, I let those ideas soak into me too! Thank you for writing it.

Desiree Woodland, teacher, Albuquerque

I must say that I am very picky about books. I will read anything I can get a hold of but it takes a lot for me to call a book “good”. And I really think your book was not just good but excellent!!

Mussi Levertov, Chabad, Santa Fe