Hidden: A True Story of the Holocaust

by Kati Preston, Dilleen Marsh

HIDDEN is the compelling story told from the child’s perspective of Kati Preston, who lost her extended Jewish family in the Holocaust and was saved when she was 5 years old. It is beautifully illustrated in color as a graphic novel. Kati Preston was born in Hungary in 1939, the only child born to a Jewish father and a Catholic mother. Twenty-eight members of Kati’s Jewish family perished in Auschwitz. After successful careers as a journalist, international fashion designer, EMT, and owner of an educational theater company, Kati realized that what matters most is sharing her story of survival in order to educate others of the devastating consequences of hate and prejudice. • Requested change to text (required): HIDDEN [a graphic novel] is the compelling story told from the child’s perspective of Kati Preston, who lost her extended Jewish family in the Holocaust and was saved when she was 5 years old. It is beautifully illustrated in color as a graphic novel. Kati Preston was born in Hungary in 1939, the only child born to a Jewish father and a Catholic mother. Twenty-eight members of Kati’s Jewish family perished in Auschwitz. After successful careers as a journalist, international fashion designer, EMT, and owner of an educational theater company, Kati realized that what matters most is sharing her story of survival in order to educate others of the devastating consequences of hate and prejudice.

Genres: Graphic Novels

96 pages, Paperback

Published April 2, 2023

Reviews

[Michele Kirschbaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a graphic novel and true story of Kati Preston, a Hungarian child survivor of the Holocaust. The story focuses on her comfortable pre war life with her Catholic mother and Jewish father. Both Kati and her father must hide. A peasant woman bravely volunteers to hide five year old Kati in a hay loft in her barn. One day, Hungarian, fascist police come looking for her. The story also shows her and her family's life under Soviet occupation, yet it ends on a hopeful note for the future where there is no hate, but love for those who are deemed different.
This book is ideal for older middle schoolers and high schoolers. The artwork is breathtaking and will even entice reluctant readers. I highly recommend it.

[Raven Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most beautiful, ugliest pieces of literature I have read this year. The story, through the child eyes of Preston, is pure and honest. The ugly of the war and things done is told in the words a child understands, slightly "sugar coating" it, but the images surrounding it show the real story. Not for the sensitive reader. There are images of violence, death and more. Preston's graphic novel is a love letter to hope.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kati Preston is a talented writer and so brave to share her story. This graphic novel is a great way to introduce younger readers to the events of the Holocaust. The illustrations are fabulous and Kati's story is beautifully presented in a powerful but easy to understand way. I'm excited to meet Kati later this month and have her share her story with my students.

[Adushka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book writen for kids, easy to understand and with amazing illustrations ❤️

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional graphic novel that illustrates the life of a Jewish child before, during, and after the Holocaust.

[Danyelle Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked up for a library challenge. Beautifully illustrated. A true story of a Jewish child, before, during, and after the Holocaust.

[Dpalange44 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another beautiful nonfiction graphic novel about love and survival during the Holocaust. The story is powerful, and the illustrations grab the reader from beginning to end.

[Stella]

It was great- I just don’t rate true stories or memoirs that aren’t self-help centered 😅🥰