A Hero and the Holocaust

Janusz was the director of a Jewish orphanage in Warsaw, Poland, during the years of the Nazi Party's rise to power, he cared for hundreds of children. They loved him as a father and affectionately called him their "Old Doctor." Korczak could not save his children, but even in the darkest days of the Warsaw ghetto, he strove to protect them. Fianlly, forced to lead his orphans from the ghetto to the Treblinka death camp, Korczak remained with them to the end.

Selfless Janusz Korczak a college educated Polish-Jewish citizen ran an orphanage until the Warsaw Wall was built. The children were shipped by traincar to the Nazi concentration camps. A Nazi officer was willing to set him free but he bravely and selflessly went with his orphanage children to the camps. I could use this book to teach about racism, Holocaust, unlikely heroes, bravery, selflessness, character building, WWII, surviving. Due to the emotional response Grades 5+

This story is a reflection of the real life character of Janusz Korczak. The setting takes place in an orphange in Warsaw, Poland. It tells about Korczak growing up and becoming a doctor. He loved children and felt a great sense of emphathy for them. He opened an orphange, when after a bit the Nazi's invaded Poland. The children were taken to a camp with Korczak. A Nazi commander recognized him as a doctor and offered him freedom, yet he could not leave his children. He died there with the children. The end of the book reads, "Among his last diary entries, Korczak wrote, " I never wish anyone ill. I cannot. I don't know how it is done."
This book gives a good entailment of what life was like during the holocaust. It reflects well the show more personal life of Korczak. It is very basic, and would make reading for a student very easy. The illustrations are well put together, and the brown color in the illustrations make the story come to life. The author does a well job of demonstrating how couragous Korczak was.
As a teacher you would definatly have to provide the students with more information about the holocaust to extend the knowledge about this subject. Having the children keep a diary of their own during this lesson would also be a good idea. show less

A brief biography of the Polish doctor, author, founder of orphanages, and promoter of children's rights explains how he lost his life trying to protect his orphans from the Nazis.

Sad story of the accounts of a Jewish man. Written from the diary of Janusz Korczak.