This is not a passe, young adult story of historical and autobiographical significance. American Shoes is an exemplar of the psychological, sociological, historical, and political influences of pain, suffering, perseverance, and ultimately, love.”
A sobering look at the far-reaching effects of war, American Shoes is an enlightening and painful reminder that wars forever damage those who are forced to live through them.
American Shoes is the reflection of all immigrants from all over the world. As an immigrant from West Africa, I found myself inside the mind of young Rosemarie chapter after chapter. Captivating, exciting, educational, and ultimately uplifting—a life changing read!
American Shoes shows how destructive political division can be, but also how people can pull together to provide help and support between one another regardless of nationality or origin. This is how the world should operate, and the blueprint for that is found within these pages.
Heartbreaking yet hopeful, American Shoes is a riveting true story that captured my heart while taking the journey with Rosemarie. All ages will enjoy learning about the power of the human spirit through her story.
The harrowing tale of one family’s struggle for survival in WWII Germany cinematically told through the eyes of a young girl forced to grow up far too young, American Shoes offers a powerful message about trauma and redemption. In these trying times, Rosel’s story reminds us that we must confront the darkness of our history, or we risk repeating it.
American Shoes is an enlightening and personal perspective on what you learn in your history books. Captivating from the start. Raw and emotional.
American Shoes is a beautifully written, powerful story. I was drawn into the account from the first page...and inspired throughout.
A powerful book for understanding life and justice...with important lessons for our times. American Shoes is a powerful, emotional, sensual, intimately woven story teaching us how wounds morph into wisdom.
Rosemarie Turke, with Garrett’s help, has given us a tremendous gift. I hope that we can accept and fully appreciate it. We must guard against the kind of horrors she experienced and relates. To paraphrase Rosel: Maybe America is still out there, alive and well, ready to help us.
This gripping real life story is about unpleasant experiences, perseverance, hope and love of family. A book you will always remember.
American Shoes will encourage and ever so gently challenge you to enlarge your vision and create a healthier future for you and for those around you. Powerful, intense, hopeful!
Stories of terror and profound sadness about World War II are not new, but to follow Rosel as she navigates the horror, endures the challenges, and boards the Marine Flasher very much alone...it is a journey we all need to take. American Shoes has a power I will not forget.
A lesson on life from a most horrific and terrible time, this is the story of a small child, now a grown woman, who opened her scars and wounds to the world. May we move forward from her journey inspired to make this world peaceful! American Shoes is a must read for all ages.
Rosemarie’s stories are treasures, and I am so glad she has shared them with the world in American Shoes.
"American Shoes will quickly draw you into the life of a teenage girl and her family during World War II. A memoir of courage and determination.
American Shoes is one of the most poignant books on the market. It’s a page-turner that should be read by every age.
*STARRED REVIEW "A moving and hopeful story of courage and perseverance in the face of hardship in WWII Germany, told through the eyes of a child. Back matter includes a trigger warning, sketches, an epilogue, a postcript, discussion questions, acknowledgements, a glossary, terms and historical events, maps, and a creative liberties disclaimer."
The book American Shoes was wonderful and well-written. Its scenery pulled me in, and I just could NOT put it down. I think this story would make reading historical books in the classroom fun again!
A vividly told, viscerally affecting story of heart wrenching loss, terror, and, ultimately, triumphant victory of good over evil.
"A moving and hopeful story of courage and perseverance in the face of hardship in WWII Germany, told through the eyes of a child. Back matter includes a trigger warning, sketches, an epilogue, a postcript, discussion questions, acknowledgements, a glossary, terms and historical events, maps, and a creative liberties disclaimer."
American Shoes is an enlightening and personal perspective on what you learn in your history books. Captivating from the start. Raw and emotional.
★ 05/01/2022
Gr 7 Up—In 1935, when Rosemarie was four years old, she and her parents went to Germany to visit family. After a year, the Lengsfelds attempted to board an ocean liner back to the United States. They were told Chancellor Adolf Hitler had closed the border, and Germans were not permitted to leave. Thus, Rosemarie and her parents were unluckily dwelling inside what would turn into World War II and the Nazi regime. Over a decade later, at 15 years old, a malnourished and traumatized Rosemarie, an American citizen, was able to return home via the SS Marine Flasher. Her parents and younger sister, Eleanor, were German citizens and were once again not allowed to board the ship. Separated from her family, Rosel, as she was nicknamed, set sail on the 10-day cross-Atlantic voyage, where readers learn of the horrors of Nazi Germany through her nightmares. In 2012, after a pilgrimage to his mother's childhood home in Breslau, Rosemarie's son Garrett sought out his mom's story. At 85 years old, Rosemarie, quiet for decades, began to talk about the war. Those hundreds of hours of conversations, which at times included nightmare-inducing recollections, turned into this harrowing book. Garrett shares his mother's story out of necessity and as a warning. His hopes that her "haunting testament" will be a "reminder of a global tragedy never to be forgotten, lest it be repeated" absolutely succeed. The book includes a trigger warning, sketches, an epilogue, postscript, acknowledgements from Rosemarie and Garrett, discussion questions, and a glossary of words, terms, and historical events. VERDICT An unforgettable YA historical nonfiction book, written in an exquisite manner.—Gretchen Schulz
2021-12-15
Rosemarie “Rosel” Lengsfeld was an American girl trapped in Nazi Germany during World War II.
In 1934, Rosel and her immigrant parents left New York City to visit German relatives. However, when it was finally time to leave, her family—now including her new baby sister—learned that Hitler had closed the borders to German citizens, forcing them to remain in Breslau. As Lutherans, they were lucky enough not to be fully aware of the atrocities occurring in German-occupied territories. Her parents, however, emphasized that she should not believe antisemitic propaganda. When the war ended, 15-year-old Rosel was able to secure passage back to the States due to her American citizenship, painfully leaving her parents and sister behind. As the horrific truth about Hitler’s Final Solution came to light, Rosel had to deal with anti-German sentiment, grappling with her perception of the Nazis as the enemy and her awareness that her accent would make Americans believe she was one of them. Her situation presents readers with difficult questions about collective responsibility and good versus evil, and they are given the space to come to their own conclusions. Co-authored by Rosemarie and her son, this is a haunting, harrowing memoir. Rosemarie’s time in Nazi Germany is recounted through recurring nightmares during her 10-day shipboard voyage; while this structure feels a bit forced at times, it is a useful tool for conveying her story.
A remarkable and thought-provoking memoir. (postscript, discussion questions, glossary, historical notes, author’s note, maps) (Memoir. 13-adult)