Ten years after it was first published, Hana’s Suitcase — the story of a Czech girl murdered during the Holocaust and, 50 years later, of a Japanese educator’s search to find out what happened to the “Waisenkind” whose suitcase came into her possession — remains a school staple and family favourite. Its author, Karen Levine (along with Fumiko Ishioka, the Japanese educator, and George Brady, Hana’s older brother who survived the Holocaust and settled in Toronto) has travelled the world talking to school children about the lessons to be learned from Hana’s story — of history, of acceptance, of speaking up to protect others.

On the tenth anniversary, Second Story Press released Hana’s Suitcase Anniversary Album, adding new stories: letters from children around the world who have been inspired by Hana’s Suitcase; reflections from Karen, Fumiko and George on how reaction to the book changed their lives; images of drawings and a quilt inspired by the book and created by school children; covers and posters from the book’s dozens of foreign editions and stage and screen adaptations.

The new book, Hana’s Suitcase Anniversary Album,  launched on April 19, 2012, Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Second Story publisher Margie Wolfe noted:

With Fumiko’s determination and desire to do the right thing … She transformed a story that would only have been for George and in his memory … to one with a message that is for all ages, all peoples, all cultures.”

Karen and Margie talked to Quillcast about their journey with Hana’s story, and an interview with Karen on CBC’s The Next Chapter will air on May 14 and 19.

On launch day, Karen gave a presentation to 150 enrapt school kids (and their teachers) at the Barbara Frum Library in Toronto.