A bag of marbles

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Joseph is 10 years old in the story. He was a child so we see his experiences from his point of view. Reading this book, we tried to make a comparison between his feelings and ours. What would we have felt in those terrible situations? What would our reactions have been?

I stroke the badge on my jacket with the palm of my hand. It's not a sign of discrimination but a sign of belonging instead. It lets us get an education, a culture, but friendships and fun as well.

Mom is sitting on the chair, behind the table. She has a thimble, black wire and her hands tremble. She smiles.....

Unlike Joseph's, my badge doesn't take anything away from me but it gives me a lot.

I rotate my marble between my fingers, in my pocket. It's my favourite one, it's always with me...

I rotate my ring between my fingers, I always have it with me. It's my lucky charm, an amulet, a small object that can bring me reassurance.

Just like for Joseph, it doesn't take much to feel safe: a ring, a bracelet, a little charm...and all anxieties go away

On the road a car passed us. It took my breath away for a few seconds...

A simple noise can cause fear in a child.

Just like for Joseph, noises can terrorise or soothe oneself... 

Ed Sheeran - Photograph (Lyrics)

Joseph Joffo was ten years old when his father gave him and his brother fifty francs and instructions to flee Nazi-occupied Paris and, somehow, get to the south where France was free. Previously out of print, this book is a captivating and memorable story; readers will instinctively find themselves rooting for these children caught in the whirlwind of World War II.

Istituto Comprensivo "Di Vittorio - Padre Pio"

Mom come back with dessert, a cake with almonds...

Mom comes back with a glass of coffee milk. Having breakfast together at home on saturday mornings is our favourite moment.

Just like for Joseph food is a sign of love, a moment of familiar closeness.

A Bag of Marbles is an autobiographical novel by Joseph Joffo published in 1973, set in Nazi-occupied France during World War II. The protagonist travels through France to escape the Nazis, who are looking for him because he is jewish. His brother Maurice and him visit about eight places: Paris, Dax, Marseille, Menton, Nice, Montluçon, Aix-Les Bains and again the city of Paris.

My granny's home's garden smells good. It makes me feel peaceful, calm... it feels like home.

Dawn smells good, smells strong and dry......

Just like nature can be a moment of comfort and peacefulness for Joseph. A small piece of peace in the chaos of history. 

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