Fern Schumer Chapman Visits Highland

Cook Library ran a program, United We Read, in October and November. This community-wide reading program featured two books by Fern Schumer Chapman, Is It Night or Day? and Motherland. Both books explore the journey of Chapman's mother, Edith, coming to America as a twelve-year-old from Germany during the 1000 Children rescue effort to get Jewish German children out of the country to safety during World War II.

Fern Schumer Chapman talks to Highland students. Photo by Robin Kollman.

The Highland Learning Center was thrilled to be able to bring Fern Schumer Chapman to Highland to speak to students and classes who had read (or will be reading) her book. The talks were a good match with the eighth grade curriculum where World War II and the Holocaust will be studied in depth this year.

Students and staff alike were engaged and interested by Ms. Chapman's talk and her question and answer sessions. Several students reported wishing they had a longer time to interact with Ms. Chapman. The author graciously signed books during her day at Highland. I think the visit was highly enjoyed by all!