The Length of a String by Elissa Brent Weissman

Imani is ready to find her birth parents, but she doesn’t know how to tell her family. She loves her adoptive family, but she wants to know where she came from. While she is trying to tell her family, Imani finds her great aunt Anna’s diary. Reading about Anna’s experience, Imani learns that her great aunt escaped from Luxembourg during World War II and lost her family in the process. But as Imani learns about Anna, she finds a little bit of herself.

This wonderful narrative alternates between Imani’s present day story and Anna’s World War II experience. It is a powerful story about losing and finding family as well as finding your place in the world. A perfect read for lovers of history as well as lovers of family relationships and coming of age.

Recommended ages--9 and up