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

Free Teachers Guide

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