Super Short Summary

A Bag of Marbles by Joseph Joffo is a memoir recounting his harrowing journey of survival during the Nazi occupation of Paris during World War II. Joffo and his brother Maurice, with their father's help, flee Paris to escape persecution, traveling through France to eventually reach the Zone Libre and reunite with their siblings. They experience several life-altering events, including near-capture and separation from their parents, before eventually returning to Paris after the war. Themes of identity, resilience, and the effects of war on childhood are prevalent throughout this coming-of-age story.