Mendel: A Story of Youth

"Mendel: A Story of Youth" by Gilbert Cannan is a story that shows the tough life of Mendel Kühler, a young Jewish immigrant, and his family when they move from a small town in Austrian Poland to the busy streets of London. It explores how they deal with being poor, figuring out who they are, and trying to make something of themselves. We see Mendel's dream of becoming an artist clashing with his family finding it hard to make ends meet in a new country. The book starts with the Kühler family arriving in London, feeling lost in the confusing city and not sure what their lives will be like. As Mendel and his family get used to their new surroundings, they feel both excited and worried as they face tough times in a city that's very different from where they used to live. Mendel notices beauty in the world, which makes him want to be an artist, while his parents have different ideas about what he should do because of their money problems. The beginning of the book helps us understand Mendel and his family and hints at the problems and good things that will happen to them in the future.