Overview

The ""Story"" chapter-book line debuts with this beautiful celebration of the life of Irena Sendler, a social worker who helped save nearly 2500 Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto during the Nazi occupation of Poland. Irena Sendler, born in 1910 to a Polish Catholic family, was raised to respect all people regardless of their race or religion. As an adult she became a social worker, and after the Germans occupied Poland during World War II, Irena knew she had to help the Jews who were packed into the Warsaw Ghetto. She began by smuggling food, clothing, and medicine into the ghetto, then turned to smuggling children out of the ghetto. Using false papers and creative means of escape, Irena risked her own life to rescue Jewish children and hide them safely in orphanages, convents, and foster homes. Hoping to reunite the families after the war, Irena kept secret lists of the children's identities, which were buried in jars under an apple tree. Motivated by her humanity and armed with compassion and a belief in human dignity, Irena Sendler proved to the world that an ordinary person can accomplish extraordinary deeds. This new chapter book format includes illustrations as well as sidebars on related subjects, a timeline, a glossary, and recommended reading. Check out the other titles in this series: THE STORY OF ALL-STAR ATHLETE JIM THORPE - THE STORY OF BANKER OF THE PEOPLE MUHAMMAD YUNUS - THE STORY OF CAR ENGINEER SOICHIRO HONDA - THE STORY OF CIVIL RIGHTS HERO JOHN LEWIS - THE STORY OF MOVIE STAR ANNA MAY WONG - THE STORY OF OLYMPIC SWIMMER DUKE KAHANAMOKU - THE STORY OF CIVIL WAR HERO ROBERT SMALLS - THE STORY OF OLYMPIC DIVER SAMMY LEE - THE STORY OF TENNIS CHAMPION ARTHUR ASHE - THE STORY OF TRAILBLAZING ACTOR IRA ALDRIDGE - THE STORY OF ENVIRONMENTALIST WANGARI MAATHAI - THE STORY OF WORLD WAR II HERO IRENA SENDLER

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9781620147917

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Reviews

A powerful tool for young readers to discover a noteworthy person. A great addition to nonfiction collections. -- School Library Journal

Irena Sendler was a remarkable person. During World War II, she worked with the Warsaw Social Welfare Department and was able to register Jewish people with Christian names so that they could receive aid. Two years later, she became involved with Zegota, a secret organization. Along with many others, Sendler saved many lives in clever ways--for instance, she kept track of people's real names by placing their names in jars and burying them under an apple tree. Eventually, Sendler was betrayed and sent to prison, but thanks to her connections with Zegota, she was able to escape and go into hiding. This fascinating biography provides an abundance of detailed information about Sendler. Black-and-white illustrations accompany the text and serve to bring the narrative to life. Included in the book are informative sidebars, a glossary, and a time line, as well as an extensive bibliography, perfect for research. VERDICT A powerful tool for young readers to discover a noteworthy person. A great addition to nonfiction collections. -- School Library Journal

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Author Information

Marcia Vaughan Crews has written numerous books for young readers, including picture books, beginning readers, and both fiction and nonfiction series. She was inspired to tell Irena Sendler's story after reading her obituary in 2008 and discovering more about her through the work of Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project, an organization dedicated to bringing Irena Sendler's story to the world. Crews lives in Tacoma, Washington. Ron Mazellan is the illustrator of several award-winning picture books. He is also a professor of art at Indiana Wesleyan University. Mazellan was drawn to this story by Irena Sendler's character and her multiple selfless acts of kindness and courage toward those who had little hope of survival. Mazellan lives in Marion, Indiana.

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