Anna Kerz,
The Gnome’s Eye
Orca Book Publishers, 2010.

Rating: G*

When Theresa was a young baby, her family, German speaking refugees from Yugoslavia, managed to walk to Austria, escaping the Russian invasion following World War II. For several years now, a crowded barracks in Lager Lichtenstein has been their home. Suddenly the family has an opportunity to emigrate to Canada. Theresa is apprehensive and saddened to leave their friendly neighbours and most of all her school friend, Martin. Sensing her fears, Martin gives her a white river stone that he calls "a gnome’s eye", a talisman for protection and safety. He also gives her a bundle of postcards so they can keep in touch. Theresa knew she would miss him the most.

Following their gruelling Atlantic crossing, Theresa and her family find stark accommodation in a downtown Toronto rooming house, fortunately run by a pleasant Jewish woman who understands their German dialect. But language challenges surround them and Theresa remains timid and nervous, especially when she faces attending a new school alone. Often she keeps her hand around the ‘gnome’s eye’ in her pocket, just in case it holds some magic. Gradually however her confidence returns as she finds new friends and learns to understand an elderly tenant in their house. The ‘gnome’s eye’ has protected her through many new experiences, now as she leaves it with him she hopes it will continue the magic.

This is a touching story of immigration through the eyes of a young girl. It also illustrates the effects war has on families displaced from their original homeland, losing most of their possessions in the process. Adding interest are historical reflections on events that took place in Toronto during a time when many new immigrants were settling in the area. Marilyn Bell’s incredible swim and ultimate courage as she conquers Lake Ontario demonstrated the necessity for hard work and perseverance. Hurricane Hazel that devastated large areas of the city seemed to symbolize the hardships many people faced. Though the story is fictional, the author is reflecting on her own emigrating experiences in the early 1950’s. This topic should stimulate lively classroom discussion and perhaps promote other family stories.

Sensitive and fast-paced, this well-written novel will capture the reader’s interest on many levels. The vocabulary is appropriate for the intermediate reader. Many German phrases are added for reference and give an authentic appeal to the story. This novel should be an interesting addition to an elementary school library collection.

Thematic Links: Immigration; Courage; World War II; History; Toronto (1950’s)

Carolyn Cutt
Vol. 15, number 5
June 2010

*Rating System:
E - Excellent, enduring, everyone should see it!
G - Good, even great at times, generally useful!
A - Average, all right, has its applications.
P - Problematic, puzzling, poorly presented.