Parallel Journeys by Eleanor Ayer with Helen Waterford and Alfons Heck

Bibliographic Information:
Ayer, E. with Waterford, H., & Heck, A. (1995). Parallel journeys. New York, NY:
Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN# 0689318308

Plot Summary:
Helen Waterford and Alfons Heck both grew up in Germany during the rise of Hitler and World War II. However, Waterford was a Jew and Heck was a fanatic believer in Hitler. Parallel Journeys contrasts their lives. Helen and her family saw the writing on the wall with the rise of Hitler. She sent her young daughter to live with a non-Jewish family to protect her. The rest of her family moved around and eventually went into hiding in order to avoid capture and potential death in concentration camps. Unfortunately she and her family were caught. She ended up in Auschwitz and Kratzau concentration camps where she eked by barely surviving until the camps were liberated.

Heck went through the ranks of Hitler’s Youth and eventually became a soldier in charge of a large number of men. He was a fanatic supporter of Hitler. Toward the end of the war, though, he starts questioning everything.

After the war, both Helen and Alfons found their way to the United States, settling in San Diego, CA. Alfons occasionally wrote newspaper articles about his experiences, one of which Helen read. She contacted him. She was complimentary about his honesty in the article and wanted to hear “the other side” (214.) He, too, wanted to hear about the other side. They met at a meeting for Jewish Holocaust survivors; Helen was shocked at the other members’ reactions to Heck. She asked him to accompany her to speaking engagements. He agreed. They both want to tell their stories so that the world never forgets what happened and never allows it to happen again.

Critical Evaluation:
This is a fascinating read. I have always been interested in the Holocaust. It is especially interesting to contrast Waterford’s and Heck’s experiences. Many books have been written portraying one side or the other, but this is the first book that I have read that shows both sides. By alternating chapters, one about Helen, the next about Alfons, Ayer shows the parallel’s of their lives. The reader follows them and their experiences in chronological order. This makes it easier to contrast their experiences. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the book is reading about Heck’s questioning of the war and his concluding that he was on the wrong side. It was almost fated that the two would meet. It is amazing that they have worked together without any animosity on Helen’s part. One of the most striking statements was made by Heck. During one of their speaking engagements a young man asked Heck if he would have killed Helen had he found her at the time of the war. Heck answers honestly that he would have given what he knew and felt at the time. Afterwards he apologized to Helen, but she states that if he had said anything else, she would have known he was lying. Ayer shares their stories and shows that even people who were enemies can become friends.

Reader's Annotation:
While Helen Waterford grew up a Jew in Germany during the rise of Hitler and World War II, Alfons Heck grew up joining Hitler’s Youth and eventually commanding soldiers. The book alternates each chapter contrasting their lives from Helen being liberated from a concentration camp to Alfons questioning Hitler and the war and his part in it.

Information about the author:
Eleanor Ayer has written 47 non-fiction books for children and young adults. Many of her books deal with the Holocaust, World War II, and Germany. Ayer lives in Colorado with her husband and sons. Together they own and operate a small publishing company. Ayer first came across Ms. Waterford and Mr. Heck when they were giving a lecture at the University of Colorado in 1983. She went on to publish their biographies. Ayer convinced them to let her write their joint story which culminated in Parallel Journeys.
http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/20500.Eleanor_H_Ayer

Genre: Biography

Curriculum Ties: History, Social Studies

Booktalking Ideas:
• What would you have done if you were Helen? What would you have done if you were Alfons?
• Why did the people follow Hitler?
• Could this happen again? Why? Why not?
• How could Ms. Waterford and Mr. Heck work together?
• Why have they continuously told their stories?
• Why have they told their stories together?
• What message are they trying to tell?

Reading Level/Interest Level:
The widest age range, according to the reviews, is 11 -18.

A discussion guide is available from Scholastic at http://content.scholastic.com/browse/collateral.jsp?id=707_type=Book_typeId=2104

Challenge Issues:
Descriptions of life in the concentration camps; discrimination; prejudice; murder

If the book is challenged:
• Listen calmly to the complainant.
• Ask if s/he has read the entire novel.
• Show positive reviews of the novel.
• Show the selection policy.
If the complainant still has issues with the book:
• Request that the complainant read the entire book if this has not already occurred.
• Have the complainant fill out a reconsideration form.
• Set up a reconsideration meeting.
o Provide the reconsideration meeting members with:
 Positive reviews
 Selection policy
 Reconsideration policy

Selection Process:
I did a search on Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database with the following criteria: Award winner, reviews available, and age range from 15 – 18.

Eight positive reviews

Awards/ Best Books Lists:
• Appears on 11 Best Books Lists
• Appears on one state/provincial reading list
• Has received one award

Reading/Interest level, selection process information, reviews, and Awards/Best Books Lists were accessed using the Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database at:
http://clcd.odyssi.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~zd9ph3:2
http://clcd.odyssi.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~zd9ph3:3 accessed through SJSU and not available to everyone.