The experience of a 12-year-old German girl, who was spared the atrocities of Hitler, will be shared by author Fern Schumer Chapman 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24 at the Waseca High School Little Theater, 1717 Second St. NW.
Schumer Chapman chronicles the story of her mother — who survived the Holocaust due to the humanitarian efforts of the little-known One Thousand Children project — in Is It Night or Day?, which was published last year by Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group (8-20-10 AJW).
Schumer Chapman’s mother, 12-year-old Edith, found herself leaving behind her family and town to travel to America as anti-Semitism surged through Germany. Schumer Chapman captures the immigrant experience, and focuses on the dislocation, isolation and worries about Edith’s family still in Germany.
Schumer Chapman also wrote Motherland, which discusses the journey she took with her mother to Germany 54 years later.
Schumer Chapman’s presentation is free and open to the public. A meet-and-greet and book signing will follow. For information, contact the school district at 507-835-2500 or visit: www.waseca.k12.mn.us.
