I really enjoyed this book! I received it free to preview.
Fourteen-year-old, Jewish teen, Ella is taken to the Aushwitz concentration camp. She lies about her age to gain employment in the shop that makes couture fashion wear for the wives of the camp's Nazi officers and female SS officers. There she joins 20 other emaniciated women prisoners who sew to stay alive and will anything to keep their spot at the shop. Ella befriends Rose, a political prisoner, who also works at the sewing shop. Their life is full of pain, desperation, and distrust; but their joined courage and hope keeps each other strong.
Although I've read several books about the WW2 concentration camp experiences, I learned new ways in which the prisoners were harassed and degraded. I never knew about the black market storage shed that contained confiscated prisoner articles or the fact that prisoners were given clothing and shoes whether they fit or matched. I was not surprised by the extent that the desire to stay alive will force the actions of desperate people, and the love and humbleness of others.
As a retired K-12 Teacher Librarian, I think this book would make a suitable addition to the middle school to high school library. It is appealing to the inquisitive reader, but not '"too difficult" for the reluctant reader. The book is a 'gentler' introduction to WW2 prisoner experiences.
Fourteen-year-old, Jewish teen, Ella is taken to the Aushwitz concentration camp. She lies about her age to gain employment in the shop that makes couture fashion wear for the wives of the camp's Nazi officers and female SS officers. There she joins 20 other emaniciated women prisoners who sew to stay alive and will anything to keep their spot at the shop. Ella befriends Rose, a political prisoner, who also works at the sewing shop. Their life is full of pain, desperation, and distrust; but their joined courage and hope keeps each other strong.
Although I've read several books about the WW2 concentration camp experiences, I learned new ways in which the prisoners were harassed and degraded. I never knew about the black market storage shed that contained confiscated prisoner articles or the fact that prisoners were given clothing and shoes whether they fit or matched. I was not surprised by the extent that the desire to stay alive will force the actions of desperate people, and the love and humbleness of others.
As a retired K-12 Teacher Librarian, I think this book would make a suitable addition to the middle school to high school library. It is appealing to the inquisitive reader, but not '"too difficult" for the reluctant reader. The book is a 'gentler' introduction to WW2 prisoner experiences.
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
This is a book that will stay me with for awhile! The Librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturbe and translated by LIlit Thwaites is based on the true story of Dita Adler during 7 years of incarceration in various concentration camps during WW2. While at Auschwitz, young Dita is placed in charge of the camp's only books - 8 of them - to be used by the children and teachers in Block 31 for school. She is later sent to Bergen-Belsen. Finally liberation!
While the story revolves around Dita, her family and friends, we also meet some famous Nazis and Resistance fighters. I especially like the final epilogue, postscript, and what happened to.... at the end of the book. Well researched.
A very realistic story that leaves you wondering how anyone could have survived such cruel treatment and what kind of person(s) could perform such heartless acts. I stand in amazement at the power of hope exemplified by the prisoners!
While this book is a high school level read, I would steer it toward mature young adults. There were sections that shook me as I read them. What horrors! What courage!
While the story revolves around Dita, her family and friends, we also meet some famous Nazis and Resistance fighters. I especially like the final epilogue, postscript, and what happened to.... at the end of the book. Well researched.
A very realistic story that leaves you wondering how anyone could have survived such cruel treatment and what kind of person(s) could perform such heartless acts. I stand in amazement at the power of hope exemplified by the prisoners!
While this book is a high school level read, I would steer it toward mature young adults. There were sections that shook me as I read them. What horrors! What courage!
An interesting look into the future life of Harry Potter. Written in play script form, the authors were under the guidance of J.K. Rowling.
The story takes place 19 years after the Battle of Hogwarts. Harry and Ginny are sending their 2 sons off to Hogwarts along with the children of Ron and Hermoine Weasley and Draco Malfoy.
Young Albus Potter has reservations about his 1st year at school. How will he ever live up to the legacy of being Harry Potter's son?
En route by train, he meets Scorpius Malfoy, Draco's son. After the sorting hat places him in Slytherin House, Albus and Scorpius become best friends.
When Harry refuses to help Cedric Diggory's father, the two boys decide to take matters into their own hands and change the course of history.
With their help, the future could be so very different! Past and present melt into each other to help both father and son.
Harry must face the past, while Albus must struggle with the present and the future.
Don't expect the magical sugar-coating of Rowling's early Potter books. This book is more grown-up with grown-up themes. There are darker clouds in this book.
I enjoyed the plot line, mostly because it was fun to see what the grown-up Potter group was like.
The story takes place 19 years after the Battle of Hogwarts. Harry and Ginny are sending their 2 sons off to Hogwarts along with the children of Ron and Hermoine Weasley and Draco Malfoy.
Young Albus Potter has reservations about his 1st year at school. How will he ever live up to the legacy of being Harry Potter's son?
En route by train, he meets Scorpius Malfoy, Draco's son. After the sorting hat places him in Slytherin House, Albus and Scorpius become best friends.
When Harry refuses to help Cedric Diggory's father, the two boys decide to take matters into their own hands and change the course of history.
With their help, the future could be so very different! Past and present melt into each other to help both father and son.
Harry must face the past, while Albus must struggle with the present and the future.
Don't expect the magical sugar-coating of Rowling's early Potter books. This book is more grown-up with grown-up themes. There are darker clouds in this book.
I enjoyed the plot line, mostly because it was fun to see what the grown-up Potter group was like.
A self-published book. Interesting stories but many typos. The author, Cletus Ortmeier, recounts the history of Cuming County, NE, his German-Catholic family, his childhood and young adult years of growing up in NE on a farm, joining the Army and being stationed in Germany, and marriage to his wife, Jan, and relocating in IA.
I enjoyed the book, overlooking the mistakes. It tells of life in the 1930's and 40's of life on a farm without the luxuries we enjoy today. There are many photos. Cletus Ortmeier passed away in 2013 in IA.
There is a second book by the same author.
I enjoyed the book, overlooking the mistakes. It tells of life in the 1930's and 40's of life on a farm without the luxuries we enjoy today. There are many photos. Cletus Ortmeier passed away in 2013 in IA.
There is a second book by the same author.
A story about about fears. Grandma and William share their fear with each other. William is afraid of the usual things: dogs, sharks, etc. Grandma tells of her fears of what she will miss when she dies. As a grandmother this book hit home, I could totally relate to it. The illustrations are colorful and pleasant. [received as a LibraryThing review book]
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
Intertwined are 2 stories that take place in the same location but almost a century apart. The setting is the vicarage in the picturesque village of Goswell, West Cumberland, England. The focus is the garden at the grandma house that once held beautiful flowers before WWI turned it's use into a vegetable garden. Now it lies full of weeds and thistles, waiting for the next gardener to restore it to its former beauty. Both stories urge the reader to look below the surface, as things are not always as they seem.
Marin Ellis, who has already lost her mother, now must face the lost of her estranged father and his second wife to a car accident. She is not prepared to become guardian to her fifteen-year-old half-sister Rebecca, twenty-two years her junior. On a whim they settle in Goswell, where the door to an abandoned walled garden catches Rebecca's interest and Marin's determination to open. So many new experiences! But how can Marin maintain her simple life with a moody, loud teenager? And what about local gardener Joss Fowler, who has begun to uncover the garden's surprising secrets and Marin's too?
In 1919, young Eleanor Sanderson, daughter of the local vicar, is grieving the loss of her only brother, Walter. When her mood turns bleak, her father hires someone to help Ellie restore the garden. He hires a gardener with a past to hide and their relationship becomes unsuitable. Her older sister, Katherine, is hiding truths too. She secretly helps blinded war veterans learn to show more type. Her fiance, James, is cold and distant after returning from the war, making the date of their wedding a questionable event.
The ending was surprising to me. I'm not sure I like it. On the whole, the book is enjoyable and kept me wanting to turn the next page. I recommend it.
This title is the second volume of Katharine Swartz's series "Tales of Goswell." show less
Marin Ellis, who has already lost her mother, now must face the lost of her estranged father and his second wife to a car accident. She is not prepared to become guardian to her fifteen-year-old half-sister Rebecca, twenty-two years her junior. On a whim they settle in Goswell, where the door to an abandoned walled garden catches Rebecca's interest and Marin's determination to open. So many new experiences! But how can Marin maintain her simple life with a moody, loud teenager? And what about local gardener Joss Fowler, who has begun to uncover the garden's surprising secrets and Marin's too?
In 1919, young Eleanor Sanderson, daughter of the local vicar, is grieving the loss of her only brother, Walter. When her mood turns bleak, her father hires someone to help Ellie restore the garden. He hires a gardener with a past to hide and their relationship becomes unsuitable. Her older sister, Katherine, is hiding truths too. She secretly helps blinded war veterans learn to show more type. Her fiance, James, is cold and distant after returning from the war, making the date of their wedding a questionable event.
The ending was surprising to me. I'm not sure I like it. On the whole, the book is enjoyable and kept me wanting to turn the next page. I recommend it.
This title is the second volume of Katharine Swartz's series "Tales of Goswell." show less
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
I really liked this book. Full of Irish folklore and young romance with a little bit of magic thrown in!
Following the deaths of her parents, American teen Janet Gleason has been living with her grandparents. They have moved to Ireland because her grandfather is the new ambassador there.
An invitation to a royal ball from the King and Queen of Ireland has Janet nervous because she can't dance. Finvarra, King of the Fairies, sends his fairy witch to grant Janet's wish to learn to dance.
Prince Liam Boru, son of the King and Queen, does not look forward to escorting another spoiled American girl to a dance, let alone the rest of his royal duties. He dresses down to move through Dublin unnoticed. When he accidentally collides with Janet he hopes he'll see her again. Unaware of each other's identity, Janet agrees; but when they do, the fairies steal Janet away.
Liam's attempt to find her triggers a series of frustrating misadventures.
Following the deaths of her parents, American teen Janet Gleason has been living with her grandparents. They have moved to Ireland because her grandfather is the new ambassador there.
An invitation to a royal ball from the King and Queen of Ireland has Janet nervous because she can't dance. Finvarra, King of the Fairies, sends his fairy witch to grant Janet's wish to learn to dance.
Prince Liam Boru, son of the King and Queen, does not look forward to escorting another spoiled American girl to a dance, let alone the rest of his royal duties. He dresses down to move through Dublin unnoticed. When he accidentally collides with Janet he hopes he'll see her again. Unaware of each other's identity, Janet agrees; but when they do, the fairies steal Janet away.
Liam's attempt to find her triggers a series of frustrating misadventures.