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Irena's Children
Irena's Children: The extraordinary woman who saved thousands of children from the Warsaw Ghetto | Tilar J. Mazzeo
For desperate families trapped inside the Warsaw ghetto in 1942 with small children, one name was whispered urgently from ear to ear. It was the name of a young social worker in her thirties with the courage to take staggering risks and to save 2,500 of those children from death and deporation. Granted access to the ghetto as a public health specialist, Irena Sendler began by smuggling orphaned children out of the walled district and convincing her friends and neighbours to hide them. Soon, understanding the fate that awaited those trapped in the ghetto, she began the perilous work of going from door to door and asking Jewish families to trust her with their young children. Driven to extreme measures and with the help of local Warsaw tradesman, Jewish residents, a network of mothers and her star-crossed lover in the Polish resistance, Irena Sendler ultimately smuggled thousands of children past the Nazis, making dangerous trips through city's sewers, hiding them in coffins and under overcoats at check points and slipping through secret passages in abandoned buildings. At immense personal risk, Irena Sendler did something even more astonishing: she kept a secret list buried in a jar under an old apple tree in her garden. On it were the names and true identities of these Jewish children, recorded so that after the war their families could find them. Celebrated for her courage, Sendler was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2007, the year before her death at the age of 98. The story of Irena Sendler - and of the children she saved - has yet to be told in a compelling narrative account. This is a major new story of World War II heroism, with a strong female character, that will appeal to audiences of Schindler's List, Sarah's Key and Unbroken.
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Loric
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Pickpick

In 1942 Irena Sendler organized a network of Polish resistance workers who managed save the lives of 2,500 Jewish children from death and deportation by smuggling them out of the Warsaw ghetto during Nazi-occupied Poland.

I will admit that I had hoped to feel more emotion than I did but felt it read more like textbook. I would have enjoyed this more had it been a work of fiction based on real events. Still a worthy read.

Loric @TheBookHippie did not but have added to my stack. Thanks! 3y
TheBookHippie @Loric There is a movie of her life -we got it out of the library- it was pretty good I can‘t remember what it was called ! It was a dramatization. 3y
Loric @TheBookHippie I am going to check it out! Thanks!!! 3y
14 likes4 comments
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ximena.vasquez
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Mehso-so

If you enjoy books about courage and bravery then you might enjoy Irena‘s Children. Written by Tilar J. Mazzeo and adapted by Mary Cronk Farrell, this true story of courage follows the extraordinary story of Irena Sendler and how she saved 2,500 Jewish children from the Jewish Ghetto in Warsaw during the WWll. The main theme in this story is courage. Irena and the other men and women who risked their lives stood strong saving those children.1/3

ximena.vasquez During WWll anyone who was caught helping Jews -regardless of religion or status- were brutally killed by the Nazis. It was a difficult time for everyone, however some chose to help those in need regardless of the brutal consequences it could bring because they had the courage and bravery to help the Jewish people in need. 2/3
3y
ximena.vasquez I felt that the story was lacking in description and depth. It didn‘t draw me in like other novels I‘ve read before. This novel had potential to be amazing however due to how it was written it didn‘t. Overall it was a good book but not my favourite. 3/3 (edited) 3y
MissYaremcio Great work Ximena! I totally understand that it didn't draw you in - but if you enjoy this genre I can point you in the direction of another novel that is similar! Keep up the good work! 6/6 3y
1 like3 comments
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Texreader
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From today‘s book haul. #readingeurope2020 #poland

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Blueberry
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Eggs Omgosh I loved Irena, swallow man, and book thief!!!!!! Haven‘t read monuments men 4y
Blueberry @Eggs Monuments Men was made into a movie with George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman, Hugh Bonneville, Cate Blanchett, ... 4y
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mamawray
Pickpick

While heartwrenching at times, this book follows the life of Irena Sendler, a Polish woman who, along with her network of friends, rescued roughly 2,500 Jewish children from the Jewish Ghetto in Warsaw. It was incredible to read of the brutalities these people faced, but also encouraging to read of the many people who worked to rescue so many. The stories are simply unbelievable. Their courage was incredible. And their stories warrant being heard.

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Beccacraft
Mehso-so

This non-fiction book was about a brave Polish woman during WWII who saved an estimated 2500 Jewish children through a network of remarkable courageous people. While the content was very interesting and the true story was beautiful, I found the writing to be difficult to follow at times, too many names mentioned so that it became difficult to keep track, and that it took me a very long time to read because it wasn‘t pulling me in.

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bg_reads
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I have been so sick for the past week that I haven't been reading, at all. Last night was the first night since last Wednesday that I picked up a book. That hasn't stopped me from ordering books, mind you, and this is one of them! What a story! I'm so excited to read about this woman! ♡

bg_reads **CONTINUED: Abebooks.com has been my new go-to lately for used books! Sometimes there are some great deals on there! Unfortunately the book descriptions don't always tell that a book is from the library and has stickers and scribbles on the cover. Sometimes book sellers just use a generic description and say "may contain..." Oh well, I guess. Still in GREAT condition. This book came from a Jackson County Library! 5y
Princess-Kingofkings I‘m with you ~ it still looks in great condition. I feel better when I buy a used book. 5y
bg_reads @Princess-Kingofkings yes! I can't believe how expensive brand new books are nowadays. Have they always been so expensive? Maybe I've just become a cheapskate.. 😂 5y
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RavenLovelyReads
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In light of #holocaustremembranceday Our next read will be Irena‘s Children. I picked up the young readers edition for my boys. Have any other Littens read this with your children?

Crazeedi I have read about this courageous woman, I'll have to find this book 5y
Caroline2 Ohhhh that‘s such a good idea to do a young readers edition! I‘ll defo be ordering this for my boys! 👍🏻 5y
RavenLovelyReads @Crazeedi I suggest the adult version🤓 Also- I recommend watching the movie - The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler. 5y
RavenLovelyReads @Caroline2 Thanks! I found this book at their school book fair and couldn‘t pass it up 🤓 5y
Crazeedi @RavenLovelyReads thank you, yes I noticed this was the children's version, I will look for the adult one, appreciate you posting 5y
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Karla2
Pickpick

I always wanted to read a book about Irene. Heard stories how she smuggled kids out of the camps and saved them. I knew nothing else about it, but reading this book I was so amazed how many people helped and also the love story behind it.

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cinann
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One of my #bookresolutions is that I plan to read more of the non-fiction and memoirs that I own.
#newbeginnings
#newyearreads
#readingresolutions
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @bookloo
@Jess7

SilversReviews That is a good resolution. I'm bad about reading non-stop fiction. 6y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I should, but idk if I can!! 6y
Bourriquet76 Love it! I just finished Prairie Fires last night. I also loved Immortal Life and just bought Radium Girls. 6y
18 likes3 comments
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Libby1
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My sister and I have an annual Christmas tradition of sending each other one of our favourite reads of the year as a Christmas gift.

This year she sent two books.

Lucky me!

nightwitch One of these years, i want to get to Iceland around this time of year so that i can experience their book giving/reading festival ❤ 6y
nightwitch This tradition reminds me of that! 6y
[DELETED] 3803335244 I just put this on my list today! There is also a young adult or children‘s version I added. 6y
mrp27 What a great tradition! 6y
Libby1 @nightwitch , @ForeverNerdy , @mrp27 - yes, this is a wonderful tradition and I‘m happy with the book choices! 6y
61 likes5 comments
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Allbookedup1
Pickpick

Phenomenal! If you have any interest in the Holocaust & the Resistance do NOT pass up this book! Truly my favorite book I've read this year. Irena & her network saved over 2,500 Jewish children in occupied Poland. An amazing true story & a must read 👍🏻👍🏻

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cinann
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I missed yesterday's #superherosunday. I'm not a big fan of comic book superheroes, but Irena Sendler was a real life superhero. She was a social worker who smuggled thousands of Jewish children from the Warsaw ghetto starting in 1942.

#awesomeautumnbooks
@Jess7

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ReadosaurusText
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Mehso-so

This is the story of a female Schindler, Irena Sendler, who saved thousands of Jewish children in Poland during the Holocaust. Her story is incredible. Unfortunately, the book does not do Irena's legacy justice in that it is poorly written--it was so repetitive the book could have probably been 50 pages shorter. I'm glad to have been introduced to a new Holocaust hero, but hope someone writes a stronger book on this impressive figure someday.

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ReadosaurusText
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Vacationing.

britt_brooke Great photo! 📷👏🏻 7y
48 likes1 comment
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ReadosaurusText
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Starting this book off right, because nachos and beer are always right.

Alfoster I'm drooling!😂😂😂 7y
ReadosaurusText @Alfoster Not going to lie, the nachos and beer were both delicious, which made my three-hour layover for a work trip feel like a vacation! 7y
EvieBee Mmmm. Two kinds of cheese?! 🤤 7y
ReadosaurusText @EvieBee84 Yes! Good eye. 🧀 7y
41 likes4 comments
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paddocklorie
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"But she was also someone gifted with a sense of purpose and righteousness so powerful that she was able, by her example, to persuade others around her to be better than they otherwise might have been..."

DebinHawaii Welcome to Litsy!! 🎉📚👍😀 7y
Suzze Hope you love Litsy as much as I do. Welcome! 7y
7 likes2 comments
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Blueberry
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Pickpick

Really good and very informative. A little-known heroine until the last few years. The beginning has a lot of names to slug thru but stick with it. You won't be sorry. I liked it better than the last memoir I read about the same time and place. This girl never quit. She was beat down and she always got back up again. A true heroine.

@NataliePatalie
#WW2 #warsawghetto #IrenaSendler

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Blueberry
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Eggs
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Functional biography; without the flair and charm of Life in a Jar

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dolleygurl
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Started this audiobook last night. The narration started out as a struggle for me, it felt computerized, but as the actual book began it has improved some.

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TheBookHippie
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Pickpick

Born on this day:
Irena a Polish social worker saved 2500 children from death in Nazi-occupied Poland during WWII. "Fear makes you weak, anger makes you strong " "I was taught by my father that when someone is drowning you don't ask if they can swim, you just jump in and help." "We have to ask ourselves, "What would I have done?". I agree with Wladyslaw Bartofszewski, on if the organizers of ZEGOTA, who said, "Only the dead have done enough."

Cinfhen 🙌🏻💖🙌🏻 7y
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TheBookHippie
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Pickpick

Library holds!

When they all come in at once 😂📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚

Reviewsbylola I have the Coretta Scott King out too. I need to read it next because it is due back in a week or two! 7y
13 likes1 stack add1 comment
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LitsyFeministBookClub
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Around 2,500 Jewish children owe their lives to Irena Sendler, the social worker who refused to stand by while her friends were whisked away to the Warsaw Ghetto. Along with her many accomplices, Irena would arrange to have children smuggled out of the Ghetto and brought to families that were willing to hide them. She would be captured, beaten and eventually released but she refused to reveal the names of any of the children.

Libby1 ❤ Irena Sendler ❤ 7y
66 likes7 stack adds1 comment
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emilyjwhit9
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Not a very successful #24in48 with only 12 hours total. But a great reading adventure nonetheless. Can't wait to try this again!

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JewishBookCouncil
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Pickpick

'Irena's Children: A True Story of Courage' paints a critical picture of wartime Warsaw, the Nazi strategies to annihilate its residents, and the people who risked their lives and families to save their neighbors. #JewLit

Read the full review here: http://bit.ly/2gThqxZ

40 likes2 stack adds
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Kelly
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reading the young readers edition for #cybils on this unbelievably cold day.

Lola I picked up the adult version at BEA and the rep was telling us about this one. I love the cover. Unbelievably cold here in Chi-Town, too 😩 7y
Kelly @Lola I'm just an hour and a half northwest of Chicago, so we are enjoying (?????) misery together. Probs. not the smartest book to read today. 7y
Lola @Kelly I think this extreme cold (plus icy sidewalks and a knee injury) is going to keep from tonight's Chicago Read Harder group meeting. Maybe you can drive down for a summer meeting 😁 7y
24 likes3 comments
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lauralovesbooks1
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PaperbackReader
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TheNextBook
Pickpick

Well researched, well written and well composed, Mazzeo did a great job compilling the history of Irena and those she fought so desperately to save. Irena's story was reflective of the many people who didnt stand idly by while those around them suffered. Chronologically told, readers learn of Irena's history and the life that led to her whiskinh children out of the Warsaw ghetto. Mazzeo handled the subject honestly but with great sensitivity.

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TheNextBook
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"What guarntee can you give of our baby's safety?" "I can promise you nothing except thay I will risk my life today trying." ? This almost broke me. Putting your child's life in someone else's hands and knowing that person is risking their life for your child. This is seriously one of the worst scenarios in the world.

BookishFeminist I haven't even read this book and these two sentences are about to break me. 😓 7y
TheNextBook @BookishFeminist I could never imagine this... 7y
37 likes2 comments
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TheNextBook

I've always been really interested in WWII history. It's hard to believe that so many people allowed the Holocaust to happen. What gets me even more though, are those people who saw people just like them suffering and chose to work against them for their own gain! There are people in the ghetto, working with the Gestapo. It always blows my mind! They hate you too and still you help them. 😔

BookishFeminist 💔 I have never understood this either. 7y
OSChamberlain I took a class on this which was so insightful. If you want to read a book about women who stood up for the Jews, check out 7y
TheNextBook @BookishFeminist @OSChamberlain it drives me mad! It genuinely does. I just cant understand how you can throw someone to the wolves when the wolves plan on eating you too! 7y
Notafraidofwords I never understood does either. And in the end people always are looking out for themselves. 7y
Yournewfriendsams I'm drawn to WWII books too. So heartbreaking and unbelievable. It's absolutely mind-boggling that such things happen in our world. 7y
39 likes1 stack add5 comments
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TheNextBook
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The next book on my list is... I started this today and I am really enjoying it. I love that the author wants to show all the different aspects of Irena's story: her courage, her inspiration and her flaws.