The Other Half of Life
by Kim Ablon Whitney

    THE OTHER HALF OF LIFE by Kim Ablon Whitney
    Category:  Historical
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  5/12/09
    Publisher:  Knopf
    Reviewed by:  Allison Fraclose
    Rating:  5 Stars


    It’s 1939, and things have steadily grown worse for the Jews of Germany.

    Fifteen-year-old Thomas Werkmann has witnessed firsthand just how cruel the Nazis can be, and his mother has
    scraped together the money to send him to Cuba on the tourist boat, the MS Francis, along with over 900 other
    Jews hoping to escape persecution. Upon their leaving in Hamburg, Thomas is unwillingly befriended by the two
    daughters of a German literature professor.

    Although jealous of the Affeldts and the fact that their family has managed to escape the country together, unlike his
    own, Thomas finds himself drawn to the 14-year-old Priska, regardless of her seemingly foolish optimism and overly
    friendly nature.

    During their two-week voyage across the Atlantic, Thomas - and eventually Priska - grow suspicious about several
    things that seem to be happening on their ship.

    Why is the crew treating the Jews with respect when Jews aren’t considered citizens anymore? Why is the ship
    steward, Manfred, so friendly with them - Priska in particular - when he’s a member of the Nazi party? Why was the
    Nazi general, Herr Holz, assigned to this ship when he carries a cane to get around, and why does his injury seem so
    fake to Thomas?

    Before the ship enters Cuban waters, rumors begin to circulate, and Thomas and Priska do a little investigating of
    their own. Is it possible that there might be even bigger problems that may delay their entry into Cuba…and
    freedom? Although Thomas excels in chess, this may be one game where, as a pawn, he may never be able to win.

    This story, based on the true account of the MS St. Louis, surprised me, as I had not heard about this incident prior
    to reading THE OTHER HALF OF LIFE. Poignant and heartfelt, the cast of characters on this ship will stick with
    the reader long after they’ve closed the cover.