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GOOD-BYE MARIANNE The Graphic novel, illustrated by Kathryn E. Shoemaker, Tundra books, 2008, Based on the original novel by the author.

For ages 9-12 +

The place is Berlin, Germany, 1938, Hitler rules the country. It is a cold November, one week after the Night of the Broken Glass. 11 year old Marianne Kohn is expelled from school, her father is on the run from the Nazis and her mother fears for her daughter’s safety. The story of how ten thousand children at risk were saved by the Kindertransport.

“The particular appeal of Marianne’s story is that of the ordinary woes of childhood- loneliness, boredom, betrayal of a friend- are in the foreground. In its graphic novel incarnation, the story retains this familiarity and welcomes a new crop of readers. Shoemaker’s style is gentle, shaded and soft edged, she filters the horror thus allowing some access to this world to quite young children.”

Review by Sarah Ellis, QUILL & QUIRE, August, 2008.

Illustration by Kathryn E. Shoemaker used with permission of Tundra Books 2008

WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS a novel set in the Great Depression, Tundra Books 2007.The companion book to Flower.

For ages 9+

When her mother dies three days after Eddie is born, 12 year old Millie must take care of her father and young brothers. Who is the strange woman who appears in the small Ontario town? Why is she so interested in the baby? Will Millie manage to keep her promise to her Mother to hold the family together?

“Watts’ keen eye for period detail, her vivid characterization and her estimable heroine make this novel a very affecting one.”

Review, Susan Perren, The Globe and Mail.

* Nominated for the Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award, 2009

* Nominated for the Manitoba Young Readers’ choice Award, 2009

FLOWER a novel set in Britain and Canada in both present and past, Tundra books 2005

For ages 10+

Twelve year old orphans, William and Lillie meet onboard ship bound for Canada and the promise of a better life. They, and many of the 100,000 Home children shipped from Britain between 1867 to 1967 endured unimaginable hardships. What is their connection to Katie, living with her own problems in the present day?

“Flower is a journey of hope and a mystery… The characters are finely drawn, the story is irresistible…”

Review from Marion Farrant, the Vancouver Sun.

* Selected for OLA Best bets list of top ten Canadian Children’s books, 2005

* Short listed for B.C’s Chocolate Lily Award 2006/7

* LILLIE, a play based on William and Lillie’s story from FLOWER, won first Prize at the International Playwrights Forum, UNESCO, 2006, and premiered in Athens, Greece, March 2007.

A list of plays by Irene N. Watts may be obtained from Playwrights Guild of Canada, of which Irene is a Life member: [email protected]

TAPESTRY OF HOPE, Holocaust writing for Young People, compiled with Lillian Boraks-Nemetz, Tundra Books, 2003

For ages 11 +

Excerpts by Canadian writers include: Leonard Cohen, Claudia Cornwall, Kathy Kacer, Karen Levine, Jean Little, Carol Matas, Lillian Boraks- Nemetz, Mordecai Richler, Jason Sherman, Ellen Schwartz, Irene Watts, Eva Wiseman. Survivor statements introduce each section which reflects on Hiding, Selection, Ghetto, Exile and Resistance. Maps, a Time line and further reading are included.

“A major addition to Shoah literature…It is heartwarming, inspiring and memorable.”

Review Donna Silverman, Ottowa Jewish Bulletin.

* The Yad Vashem Award in Holocaust Studies 2003

* B.C. Book Prize Honour Book, 2004

*Nominated for the Young Adult Canadian Library Award

FINDING SOPHIE, a novel, Tundra Books, 2002

For ages10+

The final book in the Trilogy about the Kindertransport reunites Marianne and Sophie, separated since their arrival in Britain. Set in the aftermath of the Second World War 1945, the children of the Kindertransport find out what happened to their families during six years of war. Sophie must adjust to who she is and where she belongs.

“Highly recommended”

Canadian Materials, 2002

“Watts has captured the fear, pain and hope of children who lived through the experience…”

Review the School Library Journal of New York

* A Geoffrey Bilson Honour Book 2003

* A Sydney Taylor Notable

* Nominated for the Canadian Library Children’s novel of the year, 2003

REMEMBER ME, a novel, Tundra Books 2000

A novel for ages 10+

The companion book to Good-bye Marianne; eleven year old Marianne Kohn has left Germany and arrived in England, one of ten thousand children who managed to escape Hitler. She knows no one, does not speak English and is homesick for her parents, not knowing when she will see them again. The outbreak of war leaves her even more alone.

“In this poignant and sometimes heartbreaking story, the author paints a wonderful portrait in words of a young girl whose life has been turned upside down.”

lookingglassreview.com

* Kids Pick of the list (Middle Reader) American Bookseller’s Association

* Starred selection Canadian Children’s Book Centre, “Our Choice”

* Jewish book Awards, The Isaac Frischwasser Memorial Award for Young Adult Fiction

*Winner of the Chocolate Lily Young Adult Novel Award, B.C. 2003

Good-bye Marianne, a novel Tundra Books, 1998

For ages 8-11

Marianne’s world is collapsing. Like other Jewish students she is expelled from school, her father is on the run from the Gestapo, and she and her family are rejected by friends and neighbours. When the Gestapo invade their home, Marianne’s mother realizes she can no longer keep her daughter safe. They must make a heartbreaking decision.

“Watts has created a powerful story…the strength of characterization is remarkable and the text, tersely and simply written is a poetic delight.” Professor Ron Jobe, Department of Language Education, UBC. Review The Canadian Children’s Book Centre Our Choice

* Winner of the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical fiction for Young People 1999

* Jewish Book Awards, the Isaac Frischwasser Memorial Award for Young Adult fiction 1999

* A regional finalist, The Silver Birch Awards 1999

Good-bye Marianne is also a One Act Play, published by Scirocco Drama 1995 and Anchorage Press Inc. USA 1997

Forthcoming: Clay Man the Golem of Prague, a retelling, Illustrated by Kathryn E. Shoemaker, Tundra Books 2009

Also with illustrations by Kathryn E. Shoemaker:

Cover: A Telling Time, Tradewind Books, 2004

For ages 8+

The story of Purim told in three time frames: present day, ancient times and 1938. A Grandmother tells her granddaughter about hearing the Purim story as a child, in nazi occupied Vienna. The rabbi is interrupted in his retelling of Queen Esther by a group of soldiers arriving to arrest him. They remain, held spellbound by the story; miraculously they allow the rabbi and the children to leave in safety.

“The three narratives with that of Esther at the centre are woven into one tale of courage and of hope. The illustrations are outstanding in conveying mood and setting…jewel tones resembling tapestries used to tell the tale of Queen Esther.”

Linda R. Silver, review Spring Issue Jewish Book World.

* Awarded A White Raven, Bologna 2006 by the international Jugend Bibliothek Munich.