Tuky: The Story of a Hidden Child

by Shterni Rosenfeld

Mrs. Tuky (Gestetner) Treitel is a well respected member of the Montreal Jewish community where she’s lived for decades and raised a beautiful family. However, her experiences as a hidden child during WWII are always with her.

This inspiring chapter book takes young readers back to that dark and perilous time, allowing them to walk along with six-year-old Tuky, her little brother, and their cousin, as they leave a comfortable life and happy Jewish home to hide from the Nazis.

Will the three children be able to blend in with simple farm families in the Hungarian countryside? Will they remember they are Jewish? Will they be able to keep such a dangerous secret?

Excellent, age-appropriate introduction to the Holocaust for elementary school age children. Bonus material includes family photos, a historical note, and a recent interview with Mrs. Tuky (Gestetner) Treitel, by her daughter, Author Shterni Rosenfeld.

176 pages, Hardcover

Published November 1, 2015

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewing for #Readukkah.

Tuky provides a very focused, child's-eye view of the Holocaust. When WWII breaks out, a 6 year-old Jewish girl, Tuky, is at first not directly affected because she lives in Budapest. She notices the war when refugees start showing up on her doorstep. Her family is eventually arrested after the Nazis take over Hungary, and then they must scatter and hide in order to survive. This is a true story, based on the life of the author's mother.

Tuky is written at about a 3rd grade level, but my 5th grader (who reads well above grade level) enjoyed it very much. He described it as exciting, sometimes a bit scary and sad, but with a mostly happy ending. He did note that Tuky's father dies not long after the family finally makes it for Chanukah.

If you want a gentle entry into Holocaust literature, but know that a child will be reading further in the future, this would be a good way to go. The main character is hungry and in danger, but she and (rather miraculously) her entire family survive the war. The family is Orthodox, and she relies very strongly on her faith to endure fear and deprivation. This ameliorates the terror most children would feel in Tuky's shoes. I very much appreciated that this was a true story.

However, if this is the only book a child will ever read about the Holocaust, it could cause a problem. That not only Tuky survived, but her entire family, is wonderful...but is so exceptional. I wouldn't want a reader to mistakenly assume that her experience was normal.

I also thought some of the timing was odd - Tuky is constantly described as 6 years old, but the events of the book take place over about two years, I think.

There is discussion of some Hassidic traditions which will appeal to some readers, but which other readers might find odd even if they are Orthodox, but not Hassidic. (Namely, Tuky ascribes her survival in part on the blessing of a Hassidic rabbi, which rests on a coin worn about the neck.)

There's a great glossary, historical note, and an interview between the author and her mother, Tuky. These are nice touches. I loved that the readers get a little bit of flavor from the use of Hungarian terms for certain things, foods described, and the like. These details are charming and added depth to the setting. Overall, Tuky is a very practical book for introducing the Holocaust to children.

Disclosure: I did receive a free copy of the book, but am under no commitment to review the book, and will not be paid in any other way for a review.

[Michelle Smart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was honored to read this book, after meeting Tuky herself and getting to hear her story. I was initially hesitant because I've read a lot of Holocaust literature, and it can be emotionally demanding. But this book was designed for an older child audience, and I found that tracked.

[Rochel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was very entertaining and I like Tuky a lot.