The Length of a String by Elissa Brent Weissman follows Imani, a young adopted Jewish Black girl, who discovers her great-grandmother Anna's 1941 diary, revealing Anna's experiences fleeing Nazi-occupied Luxembourg for America. As Imani prepares for her Bat Mitzvah and contemplates searching for her birth parents, she gains a profound perspective on family, belonging, and identity through Anna's story. The book includes references to the Holocaust.

Contemplative

Melancholic

Emotional

Inspirational

Informative

Reviews & Readership

4.5

1,241 ratings

89%

Loved it

Mixed feelings

Not a fan

Review Roundup

The Length of a String by Elissa Brent Weissman captivates readers with its heartfelt exploration of identity, heritage, and family through the dual narratives of a contemporary adopted girl and her Jewish ancestral history. Praised for its emotional depth and engaging characters, critics note, however, that some plot points may feel predictable. A compelling novel for young readers.

Who Should Read The Length of a String?

Readers who enjoyed The Book Thief and Number the Stars will be captivated by The Length of a String. Ideal for middle-grade readers intrigued by historical fiction and themes of identity, family heritage, and resilience, Weissman's book intertwines contemporary and historical narratives to create a compelling, emotional story.

4.5

1,241 ratings

89%

Loved it

Mixed feelings

Not a fan

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Book Details

Pages

384

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre

Historical Fiction

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Children`s Literature

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Jewish Literature

Period