In Brooklyn 1944, 14-year-old Alan Silverman reluctantly agrees at the urging of his parents to befriend Naomi, a girl down the block. It seems Naomi was rendered traumatized when, during the Holocaust, she witnessed her father's murder. Though Alan is apprehensive about helping Naomi,... [More]

In Brooklyn 1944, 14-year-old Alan Silverman reluctantly agrees at the urging of his parents to befriend Naomi, a girl down the block. It seems Naomi was rendered traumatized when, during the Holocaust, she witnessed her father's murder. Though Alan is apprehensive about helping Naomi, he eventually gives it his best shot. Only after Alan uses his ventriloquist's dummy to speak to Naomi does she respond at all. But she answers not in her own voice, but through her doll. Despite this progress, Alan still wonders if he can reach her any further. Now that he cares for Naomi, however, he has no choice but to keep trying. [Less]