Saving the Children of the Holocaust : True Stories of Remarkable Women who Risked their Lives to Save Thousands of Children during World War II

by Helen Constantine

Discover the astonishing, little-known stories of eight ordinary women who risked everything to save children caught in the atrocities of World War II.

While much has been written about the horrors of the Holocaust, the stories of so many brave men and women are barely known, even now.

Saving the Children of the Holocaust looks at the lives of eight remarkable women who gave thousands of innocent children caught up in the horrors of World War II a chance to live. They didn’t do it for fame or glory. They did it because it was the right thing to do.

Helen Constantine explores the courageous acts

Irena Sendler, who smuggled children out of the Warsaw ghetto to safety.

Diana Budisavljević, who gave up her life in Austrian high society to help Serbian children in danger.

Truus Wijsmuller, a key member of the Kindertransport movement who helped arrange safe passage from Nazi-occupied territories for thousands of children before and during World War II.

Mary Elmes, a nurse who hid children in the trunk of her car and drove them out of French concentration camps to safety.

Anna Essinger, a German headmistress who outwitted the Nazis and relocated her school to Britain, ensuring her pupils' safety and continued education.

Andrée Geulen, a young non-Jew who worked with the Belgian Resistance, persuading families to part with their children and escorting them to safety.

Hetty Voûte & Gisela Soehnlein, university students who worked in Holland, rescuing children and taking them to safety.

Find hope and inspiration in the stories of these unsung heroes, and be reminded of the power of kindness and courage in the face of adversity.

By sharing their stories, we can celebrate their achievements, weep at the devastation they witnessed, marvel at their courage, and ultimately smile at the thought of the children they saved.

"She gave me my life. That's the reason I'm here." Phillip de Groot

★ Don't miss your chance to be inspired by the incredible stories of these unsung heroes. Buy now before the price changes★

Genres: Holocaust

194 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 26, 2024

About the author

Helen Constantine read French and Latin at Oxford. She was Head of Languages at Bartholomew School, Eynsham, until 2000, when she gave up teaching and became a full-time translator. She has published volumes of translated stories, Paris Tales, and French Tales and edits a series of City Tales for Oxford University Press. Paris Metro Tales will be published in March 2011. She has translated Mademoiselle de Maupinby Théophile Gautier and Dangerous Liaisons by Choderlos de Laclos for Penguin and is currently translating Balzac’s La Peau de Chagrin for OUP. She is married to the poet, David Constantine and with him edits Modern Poetry in Translation.

(from http://www.mptmagazine.com/author/hel...)

Reviews

[Steve Rufle · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing set of stories about 8 women who saved, hid and protected countless children from the Nazis.

Well written and I highly recommend.

Received as an ARC with no anticipation of a positive review.

[Miranda Rijks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saving the Children of the Holocaust tells the fascinating and heroic stories of eight 'ordinary' women from across Europe, who between them saved the lives of approximately 30,000 children during World War II. Focusing on each woman's life, it is awe-inspiring how their stories interweave and are brought further to life by the mini biographies of the children (all now elderly or deceased) they so bravely saved.

Helen Constantine writes in an engaging and fluid manner, vividly portraying the selfless courage of these awe-inspiring women, the women that history is in danger of forgetting. Despite the modesty of these remarkable people, they lived lives that must be remembered with stories that must be told to current and future generations. This book is so much more than an encapsulation of a few biographies. An excellent, compelling read and an essential telling of historic bravery that needs to inspire us today and be recalled forever.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our most precious asset and hopes for the future are centered upon the care and raising of children. During, and leading up to the Holocaust, this book introduces us to a few amazing women, who through recognizing the need to protect children, went above and beyond in their efforts, risking everything. The author did a beautiful job of portraying these courageous women who dedicated their lives to helping others in need, during one of the darkest times in history. Each story touched my heart, frequently bringing tears of both incredulity and gratitude, for what these women did to protect children from the atrocities of war and genocide. I have the utmost admiration and respect for these women and their efforts.

For me, this book serves as not only a testimony to these heroic women, children and families during a horrific time in humanity, but also as a reminder that we each have a purpose and sometimes our purpose has yet to be revealed.

I highly recommend this book and appreciate the historical importance of what is presented.

[Rich Meyrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring

This is the second book I’ve recently read about the unsung heroism of women during World War II. As with the first one (Female Prisoners of World War II by Nikki McDove), the stories of the women concerned are humbling. The risks each one took to help others – strangers – is staggering. Not to mention the traumatic experiences endured by the children they strove to help and save from what can only be described as an evil regime.

‘Saving the Children of the Holocaust’ is well-written for the most part. It contains very few errors, but could nonetheless benefit from a little tightening and polishing. However, this is a minor concern, and all-in-all this is a first rate collection.

[Renee Mylander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saving the Children of the Holocaust is a great book telling how the lives of children were changed during the holocaust. Everyone of the rescuers did what they did out of what they felt was a necessity in order to save the children and help the children have a better life. It is well documented that life during wartime is hard but this books gives you a view of exactly how hard it waa for the children. I recommend reading this book if you like true life stories , history stories, or even just want a good book to read. I am not ashamed to admit that there were a few tears shed while reading this book, but I did enjoy reading this book and I highly recommend it to others.

[Gabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an avid reader of WWII stories and those who so selflessly helped Jews survive. This book was a wonderful look into the lives of some of those women who risked everything to save the most innocent and helpless of victims. I was only familiar with one of those helpers Irena Sendler so was very pleased to learn about the others. I recommend this book to anyone who wishes to read a truly positive and uplifting true story.

[Wendy V Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

saving children of the holocaust

I love reading stories that are true. Learning about people who actually dared to do the right thing in the face of danger and evil is awe inspiring. Saving children in the midst of this evil knowing you are putting yourself in danger is truly loving your neighbor as yourself

[Laurie Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Women Heros.

This is a book that shines a.light on what one person can accomplish against seemingly incredible odds.It is a very inspiring tribute to Women and girls.It is much needed in 2025 as it was then.We face a similar threat in the USA.😇🙏

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must Read

These stories are so inspiring. They saved so many lives . It makes you realize thar even one small act of kindness can make a difference … that one person can make a difference .

[Judy Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book. About the women that did slot of work during the wars!

Great read! Read it in one day

[gino mazzuchetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written series of short stories involving people who helped to save jewish children during WW2.

[Theodore W. Zweifel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saving the Children

While it appears to be well researched and written, it wasn't the type of book I would choose to read.

[Joan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Helen Constantine

This book is a very powerful collection of the amazing women that went above and beyond what anyone would expect them to do to help the children of the Holocaust. They children survived because of these courageous women. They deserve to be honored and remember.

We are doomed to repeat the mistakes of history if we try to erase the actual events that happened so long ago. Hopefully, with books of this type and documentaries, the woke people will not cancel this event in Tragic Event in History.

[Sylvia Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Title:
Saving the Children
of the Holocaust

Author:
Helen Constantine

Genre:
Jewish Holocaust History

Pub Date:
April 25, 2024

Print Length:
201 pages



Book Reviewed By Sylvia J.

This is a book of true stories of remarkable women who risked their lives to save thousands of Jewish children during World War II.

“We must never forget.”

In this amazing book we will read about eight women who saved 30,000 children during World War II. Did these women risk everything? Did they protect many children and go above and beyond? Will one find inspiration in this book? The answer to these questions for me is yes. This book is so inspiring.

This was one of the darkest times in history. One will consider these women to be heroes.


What risks will these women go through to help others?

These women did not look for fame or glory. They just wanted to reach out to people that were struggling or in danger and help them in any way that they could.

These women rescued children from ghettos and concentration camps across Europe.

These were ordinary women who were brave, determined and resilient.

They rescued children from danger. They took them to safer places and ultimately saved their lives.

You will learn the names of these remarkable women.

After the war, these women just wanted to move on. We must know their stories for future generations. We must make sure that their stories are not lost. We must remember their bravery and their achievements. All the young people must know what happened.

This book was very well researched and I applaud the author for all her hard work. I thank the author for writing this book and telling us about these women. I personally did not know about these courageous women beforehand.

This is a very important book. This book has inspired, touched, and done many things for me. The most important thing for me was learning this important and amazing information. This book is definitely needed in our time. I highly recommend this book.

Please take the time to read this book as it is not lengthy.

If you're one who is interested in World War II history, I would not miss this book.


5 stars!