This is the true story of a Japanese diplomat during World War II as seen by his son, Hiroki Sugihara, who was 5 at the time. In 1940, their family lives in Lithuania, a country soon to be invaded by Nazis forces. One morning in late July, the Sugihara family looks out their front window to see hundreds of people waiting to see Hiroki's father. They are Jewish refugees from various countries who are trying to escape the Nazis by living in Lithuania. Now that the Nazis are on their way, they need help to get out of Lithuania and into another country. Mr. Sugihara sends a message to the Japanese government asking if he can help these people, but the answer that comes back is 'no.' What could be done? If Mr. Sugihara does not help the Jewish refugees, they could all die. Read Passage to Freedom to see what happens to these Jewish refugees and to the Sugihara family.
Awards nominated: Bluestem Award Nominee 2012
Date read: 6/1/2011
ISBN-10: 1880000490
ISBN-13: 9781880000496
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