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Willy and Max: A Holocaust Story
When Max’s dad buys a painting from the window of Willy’s dad’s antique shop, Willy and Max become instant friends.They are just alike, down to their same missing tooth! Even though Max lives in the Jewish quarter, the boys are inseparable—until the Nazis come. They take everything from Max’s family, including the precious painting that began the boys’ friendship.And though they promise to be friends forever,Willy and Max know that something unspeakable is coming between them, and they may never see each other again . . . .
Beautiful and heartbreaking, Willy & Max is the powerful story of two boys separated by circumstance, but held together through generations by a simple painting—and the unbreakable spirit of their friendship.
Beautiful and heartbreaking, Willy & Max is the powerful story of two boys separated by circumstance, but held together through generations by a simple painting—and the unbreakable spirit of their friendship.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published March 16, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
December 5, 2019
Willy was a shy young boy who longed for a friend his own age. When Max and his father, Professor Solomon, walked into the antique shop owned by Willy's father, intrigued by the painting of a "smiling lady" in the window, the two boys soon became fast friends. Playing hide-and-seek in Willy's basement, making and sailing boats in the fountain at the park, visiting each other's homes, they did all the things that normal boys liked to do. Unfortunately, they weren't living in normal times. It was Antwerp, just before the Nazi invasion of Belgium, and Max was Jewish. When Max and his father are forced to flee, they ask Willy's family to keep "the lady" for them, and Willy knows the perfect hiding spot. But will she be safe? And more importantly, will he ever see his friend again...?
A tale of children separated by the horror of war, Willy and Max is a powerful story, of friendship, and of promises made and kept. It is the first Holocaust-themed picture-book, that I have seen, to address the issue of the widespread Nazi theft of artwork and other treasures, particularly from their Jewish victims. In fact, the author mentions the Commision for Art Recovery in her brief afterword. I thought that William Low's illustrations - particularly his use of color and light - perfectly captured the emotions of the story, and was very moved by the conclusion, which had me blinking away tears.
I did wish that the author had been a little clearer, as to whether this was fiction or non-fiction. The story is narrated by Willy's grandchild, but Littlesugar never definitively states that this is her family's story. I also wonder if this is really a good introduction to the subject of the Holocaust, for the child that knows nothing about it, since it never really discusses the events of the Holocaust - what it was, what happened. But for those children who already know the basic story, Willy and Max should be an excellent selection.
A tale of children separated by the horror of war, Willy and Max is a powerful story, of friendship, and of promises made and kept. It is the first Holocaust-themed picture-book, that I have seen, to address the issue of the widespread Nazi theft of artwork and other treasures, particularly from their Jewish victims. In fact, the author mentions the Commision for Art Recovery in her brief afterword. I thought that William Low's illustrations - particularly his use of color and light - perfectly captured the emotions of the story, and was very moved by the conclusion, which had me blinking away tears.
I did wish that the author had been a little clearer, as to whether this was fiction or non-fiction. The story is narrated by Willy's grandchild, but Littlesugar never definitively states that this is her family's story. I also wonder if this is really a good introduction to the subject of the Holocaust, for the child that knows nothing about it, since it never really discusses the events of the Holocaust - what it was, what happened. But for those children who already know the basic story, Willy and Max should be an excellent selection.
February 5, 2010
I loved the style of art of the illustrations. In fact, the painting in question was probably my least favorite picture in the book; I very much enjoyed the rest of the pictures.
This book isn’t a great introduction to the Nazi holocaust but it is an excellent introduction to learning about Nazi art theft from the Jewish citizens, and there is a note about that in the back of the book. Here, the art in question is recovered and returned to its rightful owners, their descendents actually. That process (which happens all too infrequently) is also addressed in the note in the back of the book.
This is primarily the story of a friendship between two young boys who have become friends, then who become separated because Max and his father, who are Jewish, have to flee the Nazis. It shows how friendship can live on, even during a very long separation. It’s a very touching story, especially during the time when the two boys are living nearby and can play with one another. All the family members are very appealing people.
I could not tell if this was fiction or non-fiction or something close to non-fiction. I suspect the story is based on something that really happened.
I’m very pleased at all the important subjects and feelings now included in children’s picture books, and also happy that picture books are being created for older children, not just preschoolers.
This book isn’t a great introduction to the Nazi holocaust but it is an excellent introduction to learning about Nazi art theft from the Jewish citizens, and there is a note about that in the back of the book. Here, the art in question is recovered and returned to its rightful owners, their descendents actually. That process (which happens all too infrequently) is also addressed in the note in the back of the book.
This is primarily the story of a friendship between two young boys who have become friends, then who become separated because Max and his father, who are Jewish, have to flee the Nazis. It shows how friendship can live on, even during a very long separation. It’s a very touching story, especially during the time when the two boys are living nearby and can play with one another. All the family members are very appealing people.
I could not tell if this was fiction or non-fiction or something close to non-fiction. I suspect the story is based on something that really happened.
I’m very pleased at all the important subjects and feelings now included in children’s picture books, and also happy that picture books are being created for older children, not just preschoolers.
January 8, 2022
What a precious story! It made me cry. It reminded me of The Monuments Men, a special troop of American soldiers formed to find artwork stolen by the Nazis.
May 14, 2019
Appropriate Grade Level(s):
4-6
Original Summary:
Two friends bond over similarities, and a painting. When the Nazis come to separate them, they are left to wonder if they will ever see their best friend again.
Original Review:
This book is great to read with a class because of its ability to introduce students to a very serious topic through historical fiction.
Possible In-Class Uses:
Read aloud
4-6
Original Summary:
Two friends bond over similarities, and a painting. When the Nazis come to separate them, they are left to wonder if they will ever see their best friend again.
Original Review:
This book is great to read with a class because of its ability to introduce students to a very serious topic through historical fiction.
Possible In-Class Uses:
Read aloud
Read
April 8, 2020Willy and Max by Amy Littlesugar follows two young boys growing in Belgium during the times of the Holocaust. I really enjoyed all the illustrations and the way that the author told the story.
I felt that the book showed an important part of history and did it in an appropriate way for children to understand and enjoy. I would also suggest this emotional book for adults as well. I felt like it gave me a deeper understanding of what was happening in that time from a new perspective.
I felt that the book showed an important part of history and did it in an appropriate way for children to understand and enjoy. I would also suggest this emotional book for adults as well. I felt like it gave me a deeper understanding of what was happening in that time from a new perspective.
July 18, 2021
Big, fat tears are streaming down my cheeks. This is a touching story of friendship during the Holocaust. I have read many books on the Holocaust, but this is an excellent one for children.
March 10, 2026
A touching historical fiction story about 2
young friends that were separated by war.
young friends that were separated by war.
July 1, 2015
[This review originally appeared on my blog: http://rynecki.org/childrens-books-an...]
I have a soft spot for picture books – many of the best have few words, carefully chosen to keep the story simple and compelling. Picture books are generally meant to be read aloud and to allow children to follow along by “reading” the pictures. It’s a brilliant concept, but the proof is in the execution, which is particularly difficult with emotionally wrenching subject matter, such as a Holocaust story. I’ve read many young adult oriented Holocaust novels, and while I haven’t found a work in that form yet that I really love, I am deeply impressed with two picture books aimed at younger children set in the middle of the history of the Holocaust.
I discovered Karen Hesse and Wendy Watson’s The Cats in Krasinski Square picture book completely by accident. I was at the public library with my sons (who were quite little at the time), and noticed a book left on the floor. Perhaps a child had pulled it out and dropped it, or maybe a parent perused it but thought the subject matter inappropriate for their child. It was just happenstance that I noticed it—One of my favorite pieces painted by my great-grandfather is titled “Krasinski Park,” so the Krasinsky in the title caught my eye.
The story centers around a young Jewish girl who lives in Nazi occupied Warsaw. She has escaped the ghetto, lives with her sister, and is passing as a non-Jew. She and her sister live alone, but work with members of the resistance to smuggle food into the Ghetto through cracks in the walls. The food generally comes to them from other members of the resistance arriving by train, smuggling food into the city in bags and satchels. One day the sisters learn the Gestapo knows about the food arriving by train. The girls must think of a way to distract the Gestapo and protect their friends and the expected food. A plan is hatched: they will collect the many abandoned cats roaming the city streets of Warsaw and bring them to the train station so that when the Gestapo arrives with their dogs to sniff out the food crates, the cats will distract and disrupt the search and the food can be retrieved. Although the backdrop of the story is sad and tragic, the story is one of courage and bravery. It is an inspiring story of daring fearlessness and a gentle introduction to the difficult subject of the Holocaust.
My other favorite Holocaust picture book is Amy Littlesugar and William Low’s Willy & Max: A Holocaust Story. The title characters are two boys whose friendship comes about when Max’s father asks Willy’s parents, who own an antique store, to hide a painting, “The Lady,” until the war is over. Willy hides the painting in a secret spot inside a statue. A few days later the Nazis arrive at the shop because they’ve heard that Jews have been in the shop and they are in search of the painting. They don’t find it, but they confiscate the sculpture because they happen to like it and want to have it for themselves. 60 years later Willy, now a grandfather living in America receives a phone call from a curator at a museum – the statue, discovered after the war in bombed out rubble of a German city had remained intact and the painting, hidden inside, was still there. On the back of the painting had been a photo of the two young boys, their names, and the phrase, “friends forever.” Willy asks the curator for help in finding Max. It takes a long time and she doesn’t actually find Max, he died the year before, but the curator does find Max’s family, and the end of the book is a reunion between the two families.
I love the book because, like Hesse’s book, it is told so lovingly and eloquently. The pictures are also lovely and even the scenes that are frightening – the Nazi soldiers and tanks in the streets, the destruction Max’s family experiences in their home – are presented in a way that’s palatable to young kids and didn’t cause mine any nightmares. It’s a well written and illustrated gem of a story, but one that has special significance to me because it is a story of looted art during the Holocaust. This is a subject that has received substantial attention in mainstream literature (though never as much as I would like), so it’s nice to see it addressed in a child-friendly format. Children relate to the concepts of ownership and taking quite easily—“It’s mine” and “You stole it” speak to their experiences. Issues of art restitution are complex and while this book simplifies questions of art looting and provenance, it focuses on a number of central themes. Namely, that art holds deep personal and emotional significance, that people have strong connections to art, and that art connects people across time and culture. As an added bonus for me personally, this story, like my own quest, is not about famous, historically significant, or super valuable paintings, it is about family heirlooms.
I have a soft spot for picture books – many of the best have few words, carefully chosen to keep the story simple and compelling. Picture books are generally meant to be read aloud and to allow children to follow along by “reading” the pictures. It’s a brilliant concept, but the proof is in the execution, which is particularly difficult with emotionally wrenching subject matter, such as a Holocaust story. I’ve read many young adult oriented Holocaust novels, and while I haven’t found a work in that form yet that I really love, I am deeply impressed with two picture books aimed at younger children set in the middle of the history of the Holocaust.
I discovered Karen Hesse and Wendy Watson’s The Cats in Krasinski Square picture book completely by accident. I was at the public library with my sons (who were quite little at the time), and noticed a book left on the floor. Perhaps a child had pulled it out and dropped it, or maybe a parent perused it but thought the subject matter inappropriate for their child. It was just happenstance that I noticed it—One of my favorite pieces painted by my great-grandfather is titled “Krasinski Park,” so the Krasinsky in the title caught my eye.
The story centers around a young Jewish girl who lives in Nazi occupied Warsaw. She has escaped the ghetto, lives with her sister, and is passing as a non-Jew. She and her sister live alone, but work with members of the resistance to smuggle food into the Ghetto through cracks in the walls. The food generally comes to them from other members of the resistance arriving by train, smuggling food into the city in bags and satchels. One day the sisters learn the Gestapo knows about the food arriving by train. The girls must think of a way to distract the Gestapo and protect their friends and the expected food. A plan is hatched: they will collect the many abandoned cats roaming the city streets of Warsaw and bring them to the train station so that when the Gestapo arrives with their dogs to sniff out the food crates, the cats will distract and disrupt the search and the food can be retrieved. Although the backdrop of the story is sad and tragic, the story is one of courage and bravery. It is an inspiring story of daring fearlessness and a gentle introduction to the difficult subject of the Holocaust.
My other favorite Holocaust picture book is Amy Littlesugar and William Low’s Willy & Max: A Holocaust Story. The title characters are two boys whose friendship comes about when Max’s father asks Willy’s parents, who own an antique store, to hide a painting, “The Lady,” until the war is over. Willy hides the painting in a secret spot inside a statue. A few days later the Nazis arrive at the shop because they’ve heard that Jews have been in the shop and they are in search of the painting. They don’t find it, but they confiscate the sculpture because they happen to like it and want to have it for themselves. 60 years later Willy, now a grandfather living in America receives a phone call from a curator at a museum – the statue, discovered after the war in bombed out rubble of a German city had remained intact and the painting, hidden inside, was still there. On the back of the painting had been a photo of the two young boys, their names, and the phrase, “friends forever.” Willy asks the curator for help in finding Max. It takes a long time and she doesn’t actually find Max, he died the year before, but the curator does find Max’s family, and the end of the book is a reunion between the two families.
I love the book because, like Hesse’s book, it is told so lovingly and eloquently. The pictures are also lovely and even the scenes that are frightening – the Nazi soldiers and tanks in the streets, the destruction Max’s family experiences in their home – are presented in a way that’s palatable to young kids and didn’t cause mine any nightmares. It’s a well written and illustrated gem of a story, but one that has special significance to me because it is a story of looted art during the Holocaust. This is a subject that has received substantial attention in mainstream literature (though never as much as I would like), so it’s nice to see it addressed in a child-friendly format. Children relate to the concepts of ownership and taking quite easily—“It’s mine” and “You stole it” speak to their experiences. Issues of art restitution are complex and while this book simplifies questions of art looting and provenance, it focuses on a number of central themes. Namely, that art holds deep personal and emotional significance, that people have strong connections to art, and that art connects people across time and culture. As an added bonus for me personally, this story, like my own quest, is not about famous, historically significant, or super valuable paintings, it is about family heirlooms.
April 23, 2012
The story, Willy and Max by Amy Littlesugar, setting is in the 1930's and is about a boy Willy, whose father owns an antique shop. And one day a boy named Max and his father came in to the antique story to buy a painting called "The Lady". Willy and Max get to talking and realize they have a lot in common and from there on out become very close friends. Until one day, the Germans invaded their country and were going to take Max and his family because they were Jewish. Before they left max's father gives the painting to Willys family for safekeeping but unfortunately the antique shop was ransacked and the painting was taken. Years and years when by, Willy now had children and grandchildren, when a museum called and said they had the painting. He asked that they search for Max but he had in fact died, but there families met up in order to celebrate there long lasted friendship. This story is for children 8 to 11. It is easy to relate to because every little kid has someone they are really close to.
Artistic Elements: The illustrator William Low, created very realistic illustrations in order for the readers to take away the emotional context of the story. It was also used to show the sensitivity of the story.
Recommendation: I Would recommend this story. It was a very powerful message and I think that all kids should read this book.
Artistic Elements: The illustrator William Low, created very realistic illustrations in order for the readers to take away the emotional context of the story. It was also used to show the sensitivity of the story.
Recommendation: I Would recommend this story. It was a very powerful message and I think that all kids should read this book.
March 26, 2010
Willy and Max two typical boys who love to play hide and seek and race their newspaper boats at the park. They met in Willy's Dad's antique shop the day they bought a painting of a lady. They are best friends and inseperable until Max who is a Jew had to wear a little star on his coat. Their quiet little town of Antwerp Belgium is now invaded with war. Max and his father snuck away in the middle of the night to run away from the Jews. They handed them the painting of the lady to keep it safe. They hid it inside a huge angel statue. The Nazi officers came in and took away the angel.
60 years past. Willy grew up and moed to America. He was now a grandpa. A museum called him and said they had something that belonged to him. It was the portrait of the lady with a picture taped to the back of Willy and Max. They were excited to find Willy and Willy really wanted to find Max. The museum did some searching and found that he had died one year previously but his family was still alive. They were reunited and enjoyed a wonderful reunion. Many portraits such as these are stolen during WWII. Luckily this one had a picture on the back. So, many others cannot say that.
60 years past. Willy grew up and moed to America. He was now a grandpa. A museum called him and said they had something that belonged to him. It was the portrait of the lady with a picture taped to the back of Willy and Max. They were excited to find Willy and Willy really wanted to find Max. The museum did some searching and found that he had died one year previously but his family was still alive. They were reunited and enjoyed a wonderful reunion. Many portraits such as these are stolen during WWII. Luckily this one had a picture on the back. So, many others cannot say that.
July 19, 2010
This story is less about the actual Holocaust itself and more about some of the events that occurred at its onset. There are no mentions of murders or concentration camps, but Max, the little Jewish boy, begins to fear for his family's safety as Nazis begin to persecute his grandfather and attempt to steal valuable items from his shop. This would be a great story to use in a unit on the Holocaust for younger adolescent children, and because it goes into very little detail about the more tragic events, it could be used as a discussion starter. For upper middle level social studies classes, students could expand on the themes of family ties, inter-cultural friendship, hate crimes, and others by using their background knowledge of the Holocaust. They could also hypothesize about events that may have occurred in Max's life between the time that he and Willy lose touch, and when Willy's son finds him years later. This way students could fill in any historical gaps left by the story, and they could be assessed based on how they apply facts they have learned about the Holocaust in their hypotheses.
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April 19, 2012Willy and Max is an emotional story told in Willy's grandson's voice. The narrator tells the story of his grandfather, Willy, from Belgium, and his best friend Max. During one of their adventures, Willy and Max take a picture together vow to be friends forever. But Max is Jewish and the Nazi's have finally invaded Belgium. One night, Max and his father come to Willy's house, their house had been raided and they had to flee the country. They request that Willy and his father hide their precious painting for them, and they do. A few weeks later, the Nazi's come to Willy's house. They steal the statue in which the painting was hidden. Willy never saw Max again. The narrator then describes how his Grandpa Will (Willy) didn't speak of those times very often. But one day, a curator from a museum called. They found the statue, the painting that belonged to Max hidden in it, and behind that, the picture of the two boys from their childhood. Will is united with Max's family at the end, even though Max had died the year before. I would recommend this book for intermediate-advanced readers.
May 9, 2012
Willy & Max was a really good but sad book. It takes place during the Holocaust. Willy and Max are young boys living in Antwerp, Belgium. Willy's parents owned an antique shop, where Max's father purchased a portrait called "The Lady" that seemed to smile at him. From this encounter, Willy and Max become friends. Soon the Nazis invade Belgium and begin confiscating Jewish homes and property. Max and his father stop at the antique shop and ask Willy's father to hide the portrait as they depart the city. Willy hides it in a statue of an angel. When the Nazis search the antique shop, one decides he likes the angel statue and takes it. Many years later, Willy moved to America. A museum calls to tell him that they found the portrait in the angel with a picture of Willy and Max taped to the back. Willy tracks down Max's family and find out that Max passed away the previous year, but he gives them "The Lady" and joins them for a Sabbath meal. This book would fall under the category of historical fiction.
June 10, 2016
Talks about a little boy whose house is literally sold out from underneath him. How the priceless words of art belonging to Jews ended up in the hands of others.
When Max's dad buys a painting from the window of Willy's dad's antique shop, Willy and Max become instant friends.They are just alike, down to their same missing tooth! Even though Max lives in the Jewish quarter, the boys are inseparable--until the Nazis come. They take everything from Max's family, including the precious painting that began the boys' friendship.And though they promise to be friends forever,Willy and Max know that something unspeakable is coming between them, and they may never see each other again . . . .
Beautiful and heartbreaking, Willy & Max is the powerful story of two boys separated by circumstance, but held together through generations by a simple painting--and the unbreakable spirit of their friendship.
It does result in a survivor meeting a family of someone he once knew.
When Max's dad buys a painting from the window of Willy's dad's antique shop, Willy and Max become instant friends.They are just alike, down to their same missing tooth! Even though Max lives in the Jewish quarter, the boys are inseparable--until the Nazis come. They take everything from Max's family, including the precious painting that began the boys' friendship.And though they promise to be friends forever,Willy and Max know that something unspeakable is coming between them, and they may never see each other again . . . .
Beautiful and heartbreaking, Willy & Max is the powerful story of two boys separated by circumstance, but held together through generations by a simple painting--and the unbreakable spirit of their friendship.
It does result in a survivor meeting a family of someone he once knew.
November 26, 2011
Max and Willy meet at Willy's dad's store when Max and his father buy a painting of a woman. The two boys instantly become friends. They are so similar except for the fact that Max is a Jew. When the Nazis invaded their city in Belgium, Antwerp, the two boys must be separated, but not before Max asks Willy to take and hide the painting of the woman. Then Max and his father must leave and hide from the Nazis.
I have a lot of interest in the Holocaust and I find it fascinating to study the psychology of what Hitler did;however, this story doesn't go much into the Holocaust. Students that already know about the Holocaust will understand what is going on in the story, but other students without previous knowledge won't learn about the Holocaust from this book. I would use it, however, during a Holocaust unit.
I have a lot of interest in the Holocaust and I find it fascinating to study the psychology of what Hitler did;however, this story doesn't go much into the Holocaust. Students that already know about the Holocaust will understand what is going on in the story, but other students without previous knowledge won't learn about the Holocaust from this book. I would use it, however, during a Holocaust unit.
February 27, 2012
Two young boys from seemingly different worlds collide in a time of hardship and disorder. Set in the time during the Holocaust, Willy encounters a spirited Jewish boy by the name of Max, who resides in the Jewish quarters. The children instantly form an inseparable bond--until the war rudely intrudes on their innocent friendship. Max is suddenly forced to evacuate from his familiar town in Antwerp, leaving Willy with only the memory of his best friend--and a painting called The Lady. Littlesugar brings to life the sorrowful events that people endured through the times of the Holocaust. This disheartening account of two young boys whose friendship was held together through memory is vividly portrayed through Low's brilliant, life-like illustrations. This historical fiction is a great read, and is targeted to readers 3rd grade and up. Wonderful book!
April 15, 2009
Despite the glaring grammar/usage errors (i.e. "Max could whistle good"), this was a touching short story that taught me about organizations who endeavor to reunite stolen art during the Holocaust with their rightful owners. I had never realized before that Nazis stole what they wanted (uncontested & unstoppable) even from the population against whom they did NOT discriminate. I guess I've only seen Nazis from the victims' perspectives or from the objective (relatively) survey courses I've taken, so these details were left out. Even though this story was so short, it had gorgeous paintings, taught me something I didn't already know, and made me cry.
Disclaimer: I even cry during Cheerios commercials; I'm not guaranteeing anything.
Disclaimer: I even cry during Cheerios commercials; I'm not guaranteeing anything.
August 6, 2016
Willy & Max does a nice job of showing young readers a glimpse of life for Jewish people in Europe during the 1940s. This story focused more on the relationship between two boys who were separated because Max (the Jewish child) and his father were forced to flee Antwerp upon the Nazi invasion. Max’s father leaves a painting behind for Willy’s family to care for; yet it eventually is confiscated by the Nazis. The author added a bit of information in the afterward about this sort of confiscation of art, and how organizations are still attempting to return these pieces to their rightful owners or relatives. Very touching story that will probably require most readers to grab a nearby tissue or two.
April 26, 2012
This book is about the beginning Holocaust times and how these two boys are best of friends but cannot remain friends because of their different backgrounds. Willy is not Jewish but Max is Jewish, Willy and Max would do everything together and even though they were separated by the Nazis this did not stop them from thinking of one another until they grew old. This book is a form of historical fiction because it depicts a true event that took place with fictional characters such as Willy and Max. I recommend this book for young readers it is a great picture book with a heartfelt story.
June 23, 2014
The friendship between Willy and Max begins when Max’s dad buys a painting from Willy’s dad’s shop. With all the same interests, the two become fast friends although Max lives in the Jewish quarter. When the Nazis come to Antwerp, they take everything, which includes the painting that started the friendship between the boys. Their promise to be friends forever despite the oppression that separates them, and the existence of this special painting, are forces that hold them together through generations and show the unbreakable human spirit.
August 2, 2012
This is the story of two boys who became friends just before the start of the Holocaust. It is a story of friendship and lasting loyalty. These two boys, Max and Willy, are separated by war but connected by a gifted painting, a single photograph, and many fond memories. Max, a Jewish boy, escapes with his father as the Holocaust begins. Willy is heartbroken to see his friend go and has to wait decades before being reconnected with his past.
July 28, 2010
CYRM picure book for older readers nominee 2009-10. Friends divided by the war, stolen painting recovered, families found again...a little heavy but older kids appreciated the fact that many German families were punished for helping Jews.
December 1, 2010
This book was a good book to talk about the effects of the Holocaust on friendships and family relationships. Also, this book opened my eyes to a different part of the Holocaust I did not know about such as the art missing.
February 20, 2011
This is a book about two little boys who become friends before WW11...and then they loose contaact because of the holocaust. But when they get older they find each others families, but one dies before meeting the other. It can be used as a read aloud.
December 5, 2012
This story does a fantastic job in portraying what it was like during the holocaust from the point of view of two innocent families who were friends and were forced to dislike each other. It has a great moral and gives a good understanding to children about the holocaust.
March 17, 2013
The language of this book was very nice, and the story was an important one. This book would be a great introduction to the holocaust for younger children. It doesn't delve into the horror, but provides plenty of opportunities to discuss injustice.
June 8, 2009
I'm looking at lots of Holocaust materials since we may be doing a unit next year. This was a great picture book that would fit in nicely to a 6th unit.
April 19, 2010
Interesting holocaust story about artwork that was recovered after the war. The story is a little disconnected, but it is still interesting and it has a happy ending.
December 13, 2011
Great book to teach about the hardships of the holocaust. Two young boys who become friends but are on differant sides of the fence.
March 22, 2012
A touching book that would be a great pairing with Heist Society.
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