Fern Schumer Chapman Livres

"A warm, empathetic guide to understanding, coping with, and healing from the unique pain of sibling estrangement. "Whenever I tell people that I am working on a book about sibling estrangement, they sit up a little straighter and lean in, as if I've tapped into a dark secret." Fern Schumer Chapman understands the pain of sibling estrangement firsthand. For the better part of forty years, she had nearly no relationship with her only brother, despite many attempts at reconnection. Her grief and shame were devastating and isolating. But when she tried to turn to others for help, she found that a profound stigma still surrounded estrangement, and that very little statistical and psychological research existed to help her better understand the rift that had broken up her family. So she decided to conduct her own research, interviewing psychologists and estranged siblings as well as recording the extraordinary story of her own rift with her brother--and subsequent reconciliation. Brothers, Sisters, Strangers is the result--a thoughtfully researched memoir that illuminates both the author's own story and the greater phenomenon of estrangement. Chapman helps readers work through the challenges of rebuilding a sibling relationship that seems damaged beyond repair, as well as understand when estrangement is the best option. It is at once a detailed framework for understanding sibling estrangement, a beacon of solidarity and comfort for the estranged, and a moving memoir about family trauma, addiction, grief, and recovery"-- Provided by publisher

Set against the backdrop of historical trauma, the narrative follows a mother-daughter duo, Edith and Fern, as they return to Germany decades after Edith's forced exile during the Nazi regime. This journey serves as a poignant exploration of memory, loss, and reconciliation. As they reconnect with the past and engage with the townspeople, both women confront their shared grief, allowing for deeper understanding and healing in their relationship. The story beautifully captures the complexities of familial bonds and the impact of history on personal identity.

It's 1938, and twelve-year-old Edith is about to move from the tiny German village she's lived in all her life to a place that seems as foreign as the moon: Chicago, Illinois. And she will be doing it alone. This dramatic and chilling novel about one girl's escape from Hitler's Germany was inspired by the experiences of the author's mother, one of twelve hundred children rescued by Americans as part of the One Thousand Children project. This title has Common Core connections. Is It Night or Day? is a 2011 Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year.

"In 1938, just before they were killed by the Nazis, Frieda and Siegmund Westerfeld sent their twelve-year-old daughter, Edith, to live with relatives in America. Edith escaped the death camps but was left profoundly adrift, cut off from the culture of her homeland ... her entire identity. For decades she shut away her memories, unable even to sing a German lullaby to her children, until she realized that the void of the past was consuming her and her family. Then, with her daughter Fern, Edith returned to Germany."--Jacket

The story explores Harper's complex emotions as she reunites with her grandmother after a long separation due to the pandemic. Instead of joy, Harper feels anger towards Mama Fern for her absence, leading to a refusal to engage. This beautifully illustrated book aids young readers in processing their feelings about family connections and offers guidance to grandparents on handling sensitive situations. It emphasizes that love remains strong even during times of separation, likening it to a constant light that never dims.

This companion guide offers insights and strategies to improve sibling relationships, complementing the themes explored in Brothers, Sisters, Strangers. It provides practical advice for navigating conflicts, fostering understanding, and ultimately achieving peace with your siblings. Through thoughtful exercises and reflections, readers can enhance their connections and address unresolved issues, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to strengthen familial bonds.

The story beautifully illustrates the impact of the pandemic on the bond between a grandmother and granddaughter, highlighting the emotional challenges of being apart from loved ones. Through delightful illustrations, it conveys the message of love and connection despite physical distance, helping young children understand the situation in a comforting way.