Next book on my YA fiction shelf:
Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself
In the author’s note at the end of this book, Blume reveals that this is her most autobiographical book. The book takes place in the late 1940s – after WWII – Sally J. Freedman and her family move to Miami Beach – Sally is in the 5th grade, I believe, and she’s worried about making friends. (Also, there are hints of adult unhappiness on the fringes of this book – Sally absorbs her parents troubles, etc.) But Sally has this whole secret LIFE going on – to combat her anxiety. She “makes up stories” – which is really just another word for “daydreaming” – but it’s how Sally negotiates life. It may be seen as an “escape” – but look at what Judy Blume was eventually able to do with such childiish “daydreaming”. Sally’s family is Jewish, and they had relatives back in Poland who were killed by the Nazis – and Sally is haunted by one of those relatives – Lila, who died in a concentration camp. Sally can’t stop thinking about Lila, and making up alternate endings for Lila. Sally also has violent revenge fantasies, where she meets Hitler face to face. Judy Blume writes all of these fantasies out, too – as though they are happening. It’s a really fun book to read – Sally was one of my favorites of her characters. The family moves to Miami Beach, and they have a weird recluse-ish next-door neighbor – and even though everyone knows that Hitler died – Sally becomes convinced that Hitler did NOT actually die, and this man is Hitler, in hiding. She writes him threatening letters (in her head) letting him know that she’s onto him, she’s got his number, he will not escape.
You can tell that this was a really personal book for Judy Blume.
From Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself
Bounce … catch … bounce … catch … Sally was tossing her Spalding ball against the side of the house. The supper that Ma Fanny was cooking smelled good. Sally guessed it was roast chicken. Bounce … catch … bounce … catch … She had time for just a short story before Ma Fanny called her in to eat. At least when she made up the stories inside her head she didn’t have to worry about who would play what. That was such a waste of time. Let’s see, Sally thought, thinking up a title.
Sally Saves Lila
It is during the war. President Roosevelt asks for volunteers to go to Europe to help.
Sally is the first on line.
How old are you? the Head of Volunteers ask.
I’m ten, Sally tells her, but I’m smart … and strong … and tough.
Yes, I can see that, the Head says. Okay, I’m going to take a chance and send you … your ship leaves in an hour.
Thank you, Sally says, you won’t be sorry you chose me.
Good luck, the Head says.
Sally salutes, slings her duffle bag over her shoulder and boards the ship.
When she arrives in Europe she realizes that she has forgotten her toothpaste. She goes into the first Rexall’s she sees and selects a tube of Ipana, for the smile of beauty. Then she feels hungry. It must be lunchtime. She finds a deli and orders a salami sandwich on rye and a Coke to go. She takes her lunch to the park across the street and finds a sunny bench. She unwraps her sandwich but before she takes her first bite she hears someone crying.
Sally investigates. After all, she has come to Europe to help. It is a woman, huddled on the ground next to a tall tree. Her hands cover her face, muffling her sobs. She is dressed in rags.
Sally goes to her side. Are you hungry? she asks.
The woman does not respond so Sally holds out her sandwich. It’s salami, she says. Doesn’t it smell good?
Kosher? the woman asks.
Yes, Sally tells her. Kosher salami is the only kind I like.
Me too, the woman says. She reaches for the sandwich and wolfs it down, her back to Sally.
How long has it been since you’ve eaten? Sally asks.
Days … weeks … months … I don’t know anymore.
Where do you live?
I have no home … no family … no friends … all gone … gone … Finally she turns around and faces Sally. Even though her hair is filthy and her big eyes are red and swollen and most of her teeth are missing, Sally knows her instantly. Lila!
At the sound of her name the woman tries to stand up and run but she is so weak she falls to the ground, beating it with her fists. I knew you would catch me … sooner or later … I knew I could never escape … but I won’t go back to Dachau … not ever … I’ll die right here … right now … She pulls a knife from her pocket and aims it at her heart.
No! Sally says, springing to her feet. She wrestles the knife away from Lila. You don’t understand … I’m here to help …
You’re not with the Gestapo? Lila asks.
No, I’m with the Volunteers of America. I’m Sally J. Freedman, from New Jersey … I’m your cousin, once removed …
You mean you’re Louise’s daughter?
Sally nods.
You mean you’re Tante Fanny’s granddaughter?
Sally nods again.
I can’t believe it … I can’t believe it … just when I’d given up all hope. Sally and Lila embrace.
Where’s Tante Rose? Sally asks.
Lila begins to cry again. My mother is dead. We dug the hole together. For five months, every night, we dug the hole … until finally it was ready … and just when we were going to escape they caught Mama and sent her to the showers. That night I crawled through the hole myself and came out in the forest and I ran and ran and I’ve been running ever since … but not anymore … I’m too tired … too tired to run …
It’s all over now, Sally tells Lila. You’re safe. I’m taking you home with me. You can share my room. My father will make you new teeth. He’s a very good dentist.
How can I ever thank you? Lila asks.
Don’t even try … I’m just doing my job.
The next day, after Lila has a bath and shampoo, a good night’s sleep and a big breakfast in bed, she and Sally board the ship for New Jersey. On the way Lila develops a sore throat and a fever of 103. Sally puts her to bed, gives her ginger ale to sip and keeps a cold cloth on her forehead. She sits at Lila’s bedside and tells her stories until Lila is well again.
When they gete home Sally is a hero. There is a big parade in her honor on Broad Street and everyone cheers. The people watching from the windows in the office buildings threw confetti, the way Sally did when Admiral Halsey came home at the end of the war.
Oh, my god, I LOVED that book. I haven’t thought about it in ages!
“Let’s play concentration camp!” Only Judy Blume could get away with having a child say something like that, let alone even think it.
Thanks, Sheila!
Kathy – right! hahahaha
“I can’t be Hitler because I’m Jewish!!”
I think this is one of her best books.
First time commenter here, but I lurk occasionally. I’ve never read that book, but I think I’ll have to, because I played concentration camp all the time when I was little. Every time I’d read the hiding place, for about a week afterwards I’d take the quickest showers of my life just in case they were actually gas chambers, and I’d sleep on just a sliver of my bunk bed because there were so many other people crowded into the barracks. I stashed play food behind the toilet, too, in case I ever got a chance to escape. Sounds like I’d get along quite well with Sally J. Freedman.
I love that you do these excerpts, by the way. It’s introducing me to all kinds of books to add to my list.
Hi Harriet! Thanks for de-lurking, and for sharing that story. :)
It’s amazing how little kids yearn for real-life experience – even if it’s just in their fantasy world. My childhood games were never “I’m a princess” or “Cinderella story” games (not that there’s anything wrong with having that be your primary fantasy life) – but they were always variations on Oliver Twist – being an orphan on the streets of some coal-dusted Victorian city – and having to make my way in a crazy den of thieves … Not exactly comforting – but a rich rich fantasy when I was a kid!