User:Puppyluv7975/BlackRadishes

Subject of my article is Black Radishes

""Black Radishes"" is a middle-grade novel by Susan Meyer published in November 2010 about a young Jewish boy named Gustave living in Paris, France in early 1940, who is forced to leave behind his family and friends to move to a small town because of the threat of the Nazis.

Plot
The novel opens with a typical day for Gustave in Paris. Tidings of the war and the Nazis have reached him and others he's close with, but he doesn't think much of it. He is playing with his friend, Marcel, and cousin, Jean-Paul, per usual. When he returns home, however, his family tells him that they are leaving France because of the Nazis. Gustave is upset to leave behind his life, but goes with his family. When they set out to leave France, they realize that there are many others escaping the Nazis just like them. There is too much traffic on the road and the Nazis are bombing, so they are unable to leave France and choose to relocate to a small village in the countryside, Saint Georges sur Cher, instead.

During April and May, Nazi Germany invades many countries of Europe. In June, the French army is defeated, and the Nazis occupy half of France. Luckily, Saint Georges is still part of the free zone, but despite the name, the Nazis still have power.

Meanwhile, Marcel, Jean-Paul and their families remain in Paris, which is a part of the Occupied Zone. At school, Gustave befriends Nicole, a spirited girl about his age who loves riding bikes, and discovers that her father, while not Jewish, works for the Resistance.

Together, they come up with a plan to sneak Marcel, Jean-Paul and their families out of the Occupied Zone. Marcel's mother, however, is unable to leave her job, so they only manage to sneak Jean-Paul and his family across.

The book concludes with Jean-Paul, Gustave and their families on a ship to America. The fate of Marcel, however, is unknown.

Sequel
A sequel to Black Radishes is currently in development, with an unknown release date. It is tentatively titled "Green and Unripe Fruit", and will focus on Gustave and his family's experience in America, and Gustave's discovery that America doesn't quite live up to the saying that "all men are created equal".

Awards
Black Radishes has recieved the Sydney Taylor Silver Medal of 2011.

Translation
Black Radishes has been published in Germany with the title Schwarzer Rettich.