Vive La Paris

"VIVE . . . !" is a Salute to 5th grader Paris McCray who enjoys that 'only daughter status' in a black family with four older brothers. Paris is very 'with it' in her Chicago environment but has frequent altercations with a classmate who harasses her, & bullies her brother Michael. He is committed to non-violent responses & "the living is easy" - - NOT ! Challenges, school projects and a fascination with (italicized) words sum up Paris' top interests - - these aren't too different from my own interests when a very naive 5th grader at age 9. Don't most girls wear rose-colored glasses at some point during those pre-teen years? Paris has a new piano teacher who is a Holocaust survivor. Slowly their acquaintance grows into a respectful relationship which includes brother Michael who must endure being 'looked after'. As Paris learns more about Mrs. Rosen's adventures & suffering during WW II she reacts to the former member of the Resistance by wearing a yellow star. I find this not surprising but a natural response of the generous-spirited girl. She didn't do it as a lark but in innocence, and encouraged her classmates to follow her example. Later, when 'punishment' was meted out, Paris AND her classmates were challenged to learn as much as possible about the victims of the Nazi regime. As Paris learns more about the crushing of Jews in Europe she & her classmates become aware of similarities to our own national history of mean-spirited segregation and racial atrocities. Perhaps I read something into this thought-provoking story that wasn't there but I found it a moving story and a book to own & share. Esme Raji Codell is a stand-out author for middle-schoolers to 'track'. Was my ignorance at age 9 inexcusable? It wasn't until 9th grade when this reviewer was 13, that a classmate who summered in Europe (this was 1939) explained to me that war was imminent. The world 'out there' suddenly became relevant & I focused more on my college-age sibs. How much true empathy do 5th graders feel today toward those suffering in Afghanistan? Darfur? Iraq? Yes, no one has to read each book in this series to find Sahara and Paris very special & individual personalities, and to happily anticipate a book about Luz. But I feel closer to the young Paris who had some experiences like my own: growing up with several sibs & the consequent stresses, reacting anxiously to injustices, trying to adjust when considered different in some way, and thinking everything should revolve around my desires & activities. HUMOR is a universal need and there is a healthy dollop of that, AND warmth and compassion. Don't miss searching for links to other writings of Esme Raji Codell and perhaps you'll discover her own valuable thoughts about that yellow star.

Remember "Sahara Special?" Well, her mysterious library friend, Paris, now stars in her own novel! Paris is fun for children and adult readers alike, always trying her hardest to be polite, but admitting when she isn't, and always trying to use the exact right word, even if she isn't sure what it is. Paris narrates through her life at school, where she leads the Extreme Readers Club, and mimeographs weekly newsletters, at home, with her 4 older brothers all named after jazz musicians, and piano lessons with her unexpected mentor, Mrs. Rosen, who Paris eventually understands is a Holocaust survivor. Many poignant but subtle parallels between contemporary African American life and WWII Jewish European life are alluded to, which helps Paris to understand Mrs. Rosen, the world, and her philosophy on life. What a beautiful, strong novel, appropriate and accessible for kids. Ms. Codell has cemented her place in my heart!

Esmé Raji Codell's "Vive la Paris" is a book that sneaks up on you. What I mean by this is that "Vive la Paris" reads likes a nice, polite, upper Middle Grade novel until two-thirds of way through and then: slam! An unexpected philosophical point--one kids will understand through the protagonist's behavior and its aftermath--takes "Vive la Paris" in surprising directions. Paris McCray is one busy fifth grader. She heads up a reading program at her school, complete with mimeographed newsletters. She has lots of friends and four older brothers. Music is an important part of her family's life and she takes up piano, studying with an elderly neighbor, Mrs. Rosen. And, of course, Paris has an enemy. Another fifth grader, Tanaeja, likes to beat up Paris' older brother, Michael, which is embarrassing to say the least. Michael is a charming kid who prefers baking to sports. He's charged with accompanying Paris to her piano lessons and before long he's singing to her music. Both children become close to Mrs. Rosen, a lonely Holocaust survivor who really takes to her young students. When she learns Paris knows nothing, and I mean nothing, of the Holocaust, she feels inspired to show Paris her tattoo and share with her artifacts from her history, including the yellow star. This is where the novel takes a turn I found so surprising and really new. Paris is a strong narrator. As the youngest child with four older brothers, she's a smart, tough, popular girl. She knows what she wants and says just about anything without fear of retribution. So, when she shows up to school wearing Mrs. Rosen's yellow star on her sleeve, other kids in her class mimeograph yellow stars. Then they write in the names of relatives who've died or the names of brothers serving in Iraq and pin those yellow stars on their clothing. Needless to say, Paris is finally, publicly, very, very wrong. When she's called into the principal's office and her parents summoned, the principal tells her "ignorance is not a defense." When Paris doesn't understand what this means, Mom reads her the riot act: "'Didn't you hear that teacher? There comes a time when ignorance is no longer an excuse. Ignorance is the fire that burns the cross. Your ignorance.' Mama whirled around. 'People died, Paris. People wore that star and died, the way people wore our skin and died.'" I like to be surprised, and "Vive la Paris" surprised me. "Vive la Paris" is highly recommended for kids ages 9-14.

Vive La Paris by Esmé Raji Codell is one book every MG classroom across the USA should own by the thirty-pack! It's a perfect companion novel to Sahara Special and a definite must read! Part bullying love story, part history lesson about the Holocaust, it's fully contemporary for the girl who wore the star. Readers wonder if Paris will digest her termoil with heart or resort to bullying her brother's bully when they discover something culminating in the kitchen that earns Codell a standing ovation! Kudos.

Codell manages to deal with some painful things as Paris takes piano lessons from a Holocaust survivor. Paris is fairly young, and hurts at the bullying her brother receives, but she definitely doesn't understand the seriousness of what she's doing when she wears a gold star as a decoration. How can this be funny? It isn't, but the human condition of learning and atoning for mistakes can be hilarious and Codell mines it with tenderness and care.