What do you think?
Rate this book
Resistance Girl: A True Survival Story of a Brave Jewish Girl During WW2
A heart wrenching story of heroic bravery and impossible love, deep in the forest, under the cruel Nazi regime.Poland, 1942. Chaya is a seventeen-year-old daydreamer, whose life is turned upside down when the Nazi regime invades her home. When her father and brother are brutally murdered, she and her mother are banished to the ghetto.
When all the Jews of the ghetto are instructed to round up at the front gate, Chaya and her mother fear that the end is near. But miraculously, Chaya manages to slip away, escaping from the ghetto unseen. She wanders from hiding place to hiding place, suffering many hardships, assisted by good people who are willing to risk their lives to ensure her safety.
A chance encounter with a young partisan man from her town, and his inspiring stories of heroics, awaken in her a desire to join the fighting in the forest – a lone woman among dozens of men.
In this masculine world, which is no place for a female fighter, she seeks to fit in. Yehuda, a man she met in the forest, helps her to obtain her wish, and she becomes an integral part of the partisan uprising force.
Many fall victims to the long and hard months of fighting, but Chaya and Yehuda persevere, and develop a deep emotional connection through the struggles. Will they survive the inferno and regain their lives?
When all the Jews of the ghetto are instructed to round up at the front gate, Chaya and her mother fear that the end is near. But miraculously, Chaya manages to slip away, escaping from the ghetto unseen. She wanders from hiding place to hiding place, suffering many hardships, assisted by good people who are willing to risk their lives to ensure her safety.
A chance encounter with a young partisan man from her town, and his inspiring stories of heroics, awaken in her a desire to join the fighting in the forest – a lone woman among dozens of men.
In this masculine world, which is no place for a female fighter, she seeks to fit in. Yehuda, a man she met in the forest, helps her to obtain her wish, and she becomes an integral part of the partisan uprising force.
Many fall victims to the long and hard months of fighting, but Chaya and Yehuda persevere, and develop a deep emotional connection through the struggles. Will they survive the inferno and regain their lives?
232 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 2021
128 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
March 8, 2021
Wonderful
This is a heart warming and even tearjerking story about what I t’s like to be a Jewish girl in the horrors of the Holocaust.
It’s very well written and it is well paced book and although the topic is painful and will be cause pain for all times, it is subject mat er that I think is important for everyone to read and reread
I highly recommend this book.
This is a heart warming and even tearjerking story about what I t’s like to be a Jewish girl in the horrors of the Holocaust.
It’s very well written and it is well paced book and although the topic is painful and will be cause pain for all times, it is subject mat er that I think is important for everyone to read and reread
I highly recommend this book.
January 7, 2021
Riveting and emotionally involving...
Resistance Girl by Hassia Knaani is a powerful true survival story of a brave Jewish girl during WW2. It’s is a wonderfully written and richly descriptive novel that had me turning the pages from beginning to end. The threads of storytelling are expertly woven in this heart wrenching but beautifully written story of ‘heroic bravery and impossible love’ set against the backdrop of the cruel Nazi regime. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction.
The book description gives a sneak preview: ‘Poland, 1942. Chaya is a seventeen-year-old daydreamer, whose life is turned upside down when the Nazi regime invades her home. When her father and brother are brutally murdered, she and her mother are banished to the ghetto… When all the Jews of the ghetto are instructed to round up at the front gate, Chaya and her mother fear that the end is near. But miraculously, Chaya manages to slip away, escaping from the ghetto unseen. She wanders from hiding place to hiding place, suffering many hardships, assisted by good people who are willing to risk their lives to ensure her safety… A chance encounter with a young partisan man from her town, and his inspiring stories of heroics, awaken in her a desire to join the fighting in the forest – a lone woman among dozens of men… In this masculine world, which is no place for a female fighter, she seeks to fit in. Yehuda, a man she met in the forest, helps her to obtain her wish, and she becomes an integral part of the partisan uprising force… Many fall victims to the long and hard months of fighting, but Chaya and Yehuda persevere, and develop a deep emotional connection through the struggles. Will they survive the inferno and regain their lives?
Resistance Girl had every element a good story should have. A captivating plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s an abundance of well-illustrated scenes that make you feel like you are right there in the story, and that’s something I look for in a good book. It’s one of those stories that come along once in a while that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end.
This authors work is a tapestry of intrigue, drama and dare that will enthrall the reader from start to finish. Highly recommended. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Resistance Girl by Hassia Knaani is a powerful true survival story of a brave Jewish girl during WW2. It’s is a wonderfully written and richly descriptive novel that had me turning the pages from beginning to end. The threads of storytelling are expertly woven in this heart wrenching but beautifully written story of ‘heroic bravery and impossible love’ set against the backdrop of the cruel Nazi regime. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction.
The book description gives a sneak preview: ‘Poland, 1942. Chaya is a seventeen-year-old daydreamer, whose life is turned upside down when the Nazi regime invades her home. When her father and brother are brutally murdered, she and her mother are banished to the ghetto… When all the Jews of the ghetto are instructed to round up at the front gate, Chaya and her mother fear that the end is near. But miraculously, Chaya manages to slip away, escaping from the ghetto unseen. She wanders from hiding place to hiding place, suffering many hardships, assisted by good people who are willing to risk their lives to ensure her safety… A chance encounter with a young partisan man from her town, and his inspiring stories of heroics, awaken in her a desire to join the fighting in the forest – a lone woman among dozens of men… In this masculine world, which is no place for a female fighter, she seeks to fit in. Yehuda, a man she met in the forest, helps her to obtain her wish, and she becomes an integral part of the partisan uprising force… Many fall victims to the long and hard months of fighting, but Chaya and Yehuda persevere, and develop a deep emotional connection through the struggles. Will they survive the inferno and regain their lives?
Resistance Girl had every element a good story should have. A captivating plot, attention to detail, but best of all fleshed out, well-written and well-rounded character development. There’s an abundance of well-illustrated scenes that make you feel like you are right there in the story, and that’s something I look for in a good book. It’s one of those stories that come along once in a while that makes you want to read it non-stop until you get to the end.
This authors work is a tapestry of intrigue, drama and dare that will enthrall the reader from start to finish. Highly recommended. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
March 23, 2021
In 160 short pages, the story of a young Polish jewess takes you from an idyllic family home to the terrors of WWII. I found some of the story improbable but told consistently with heart and heroism. Her life and survival with the partisans begins to heal her heart and soul. In the end, the author spends a few paragraphs to take our heroine from Poland to Israel. Another few paragraphs describe her new life in post-war Israel. Those few paragraphs should be entire books!!!!
March 7, 2021
Resistance Girl by Hassia Knaani is a powerful true survival story of a brave Jewish girl during WW2
December 30, 2020
‘Come on, everyone into the cellar’ – a pungent Holocaust novel
Israeli author Hassia Knaani earned her degree in History and Biblical Verse from the University of Haifa, further trained as a qualified instructor in organized thoughts and writing from the Tel Aviv School of Education, and has worked in the education system as a high school teacher and a trainer for teachers in her specialty. She is now retired and is painting, writing stories for children, and now enters the realm of published literature with RESISTANCE GIRL: A True Survival Story of a Brave Jewish Girl During WW 2. Noel Canin provides the translation from the Hebrew
Following the tradition of transmitting the art of story telling into printed form, Hassia gained her concept for this book from conversations about Holocaust survivors that were shared by her family. The result: a memorable novel that has at its base the core of reality!
Finding the means to establish atmosphere is a gift Hassia shares, evident from the opening Prologue – ‘Three candles illuminated the dimness. Enormous silhouettes flickered all around. Above the table, covered in a faded velvet cloth, hovered a large head wrapped in a colorful scarf edged with silver coins. Large black eyes observed me. I sat down, held out my hand, and waited. The fortune-teller examined my palm while murmuring indistinctly…”Your life will he a stormy one; you will experience hard times; you will climb mountains and cross valleys but, in the end, you will be saved.” From this prescient beginning the story unfolds.
Briefly, the author condenses the plot: ‘Poland, 1942. Chaya is a seventeen-year-old daydreamer, whose life is turned upside down when the Nazi regime invades her home. When her father and brother are brutally murdered, she and her mother are banished to the ghetto. When all the Jews of the ghetto are instructed to round up at the front gate, Chaya and her mother fear that the end is near. But miraculously, Chaya manages to slip away, escaping from the ghetto unseen. She wanders from hiding place to hiding place, suffering many hardships, assisted by good people who are willing to risk their lives to ensure her safety. A chance encounter with a young partisan man from her town, and his inspiring stories of heroics, awaken in her a desire to join the fighting in the forest – a lone woman among dozens of men. In this masculine world, which is no place for a female fighter, she seeks to fit in. Yehuda, a man she met in the forest, helps her to obtain her wish, and she becomes an integral part of the partisan uprising force. Many fall victims to the long and hard months of fighting, but Chaya and Yehuda persevere, and develop a deep emotional connection through the struggles. Will they survive the inferno and regain their lives?
A tale than becomes near cinematic, Hassia Knaai steps onto the stage with other important authors who address the sensitivity of Holocaust survival. This is a very fine novel on every level. Recommended.
Israeli author Hassia Knaani earned her degree in History and Biblical Verse from the University of Haifa, further trained as a qualified instructor in organized thoughts and writing from the Tel Aviv School of Education, and has worked in the education system as a high school teacher and a trainer for teachers in her specialty. She is now retired and is painting, writing stories for children, and now enters the realm of published literature with RESISTANCE GIRL: A True Survival Story of a Brave Jewish Girl During WW 2. Noel Canin provides the translation from the Hebrew
Following the tradition of transmitting the art of story telling into printed form, Hassia gained her concept for this book from conversations about Holocaust survivors that were shared by her family. The result: a memorable novel that has at its base the core of reality!
Finding the means to establish atmosphere is a gift Hassia shares, evident from the opening Prologue – ‘Three candles illuminated the dimness. Enormous silhouettes flickered all around. Above the table, covered in a faded velvet cloth, hovered a large head wrapped in a colorful scarf edged with silver coins. Large black eyes observed me. I sat down, held out my hand, and waited. The fortune-teller examined my palm while murmuring indistinctly…”Your life will he a stormy one; you will experience hard times; you will climb mountains and cross valleys but, in the end, you will be saved.” From this prescient beginning the story unfolds.
Briefly, the author condenses the plot: ‘Poland, 1942. Chaya is a seventeen-year-old daydreamer, whose life is turned upside down when the Nazi regime invades her home. When her father and brother are brutally murdered, she and her mother are banished to the ghetto. When all the Jews of the ghetto are instructed to round up at the front gate, Chaya and her mother fear that the end is near. But miraculously, Chaya manages to slip away, escaping from the ghetto unseen. She wanders from hiding place to hiding place, suffering many hardships, assisted by good people who are willing to risk their lives to ensure her safety. A chance encounter with a young partisan man from her town, and his inspiring stories of heroics, awaken in her a desire to join the fighting in the forest – a lone woman among dozens of men. In this masculine world, which is no place for a female fighter, she seeks to fit in. Yehuda, a man she met in the forest, helps her to obtain her wish, and she becomes an integral part of the partisan uprising force. Many fall victims to the long and hard months of fighting, but Chaya and Yehuda persevere, and develop a deep emotional connection through the struggles. Will they survive the inferno and regain their lives?
A tale than becomes near cinematic, Hassia Knaai steps onto the stage with other important authors who address the sensitivity of Holocaust survival. This is a very fine novel on every level. Recommended.
May 24, 2021
"If we do something, sometimes we win, and sometimes we lost. If we don't do anything, we always lose." This is the story of a young Jewish girl, caught up in the horrors of WWII in Poland. When she gets the chance to leave the Ghetto, she is hidden by several families sympathetic to the plight of the Jews. Finally, she manages to join a group of Fighters working against the Germans.
While hiding in the forest with the other Fighters, Chaya disguises herself as a young boy so that she can go with the men to fight instead of staying behind with the women and children. During this time, she meets and begins to fall in love with Yehuda, a man who has lost his wife and young child to the war. Ultimately, she makes her way back to her childhood home after the war has ended and then emigrates to the new country of Israel.
This was an interesting story, but there were several things that made me give it a three star rating. It would have been nice to know if this was based on true people and true events or if it was totally fictional. Also, the writing was choppy at times, with very short sentences (which always makes for a difficult read in my opinion). The story often moved at a very fast pace, without much explanation moving it along. And, it could have done with better editing.
If you truly love reading stories about Jews during WWII, this isn't a bad book and could even be read by younger readers. I was given the chance to read this book through Candid Book Reviews and chose to review it.
While hiding in the forest with the other Fighters, Chaya disguises herself as a young boy so that she can go with the men to fight instead of staying behind with the women and children. During this time, she meets and begins to fall in love with Yehuda, a man who has lost his wife and young child to the war. Ultimately, she makes her way back to her childhood home after the war has ended and then emigrates to the new country of Israel.
This was an interesting story, but there were several things that made me give it a three star rating. It would have been nice to know if this was based on true people and true events or if it was totally fictional. Also, the writing was choppy at times, with very short sentences (which always makes for a difficult read in my opinion). The story often moved at a very fast pace, without much explanation moving it along. And, it could have done with better editing.
If you truly love reading stories about Jews during WWII, this isn't a bad book and could even be read by younger readers. I was given the chance to read this book through Candid Book Reviews and chose to review it.
March 8, 2021
In Resistance Girl, Hassia Knaani has found a strong voice in Chaya, a teenager who has her life torn apart when the Germans arrive in Poland. From the death of her father and brother, to banishment to the ghetto, to her escape to friends’ homes, to the forest to join the partisans, we read through a story of survival that many surely endured during those trying times. An inspirational story. This book would benefit greatly from a good editing which is why I gave it three stars.
November 9, 2021
Good setting, characters relatable but distracted by the book not being edited properly.
The setting was unlike most WWII books I’ve read so I enjoyed the different perspective and the fast pace of the book. The characters were well developed and relatable in their feelings and fears, however as I was reading I couldn’t help but be distracted and a slight bit annoyed by the grammatical errors and the misuse of punctuation.
The setting was unlike most WWII books I’ve read so I enjoyed the different perspective and the fast pace of the book. The characters were well developed and relatable in their feelings and fears, however as I was reading I couldn’t help but be distracted and a slight bit annoyed by the grammatical errors and the misuse of punctuation.
March 2, 2021
Great story
Although the writing wasn’t spectacular, it held my attention to hear this story. I can’t believe what these people lived through. Amazing part of our history.
Although the writing wasn’t spectacular, it held my attention to hear this story. I can’t believe what these people lived through. Amazing part of our history.
March 6, 2021
What a Story of Survival During the Holocaust!
This book presents the reader with the experience of survival during the Holocaust and brings to mind all of the lives lost because of man's inhumanity to those he considered somehow inferior.
We meet a young woman who lost her entire family, watch her as she joins partisans who are battling those intent on killing all Jews, and see her find love with a partisan and begin to build a family to support themselves in Israel after leaving Poland.
Books like this one remind us of the horror endured by Jewish people by those driven by hate. Let us never forget what hatred can lead to.
This book presents the reader with the experience of survival during the Holocaust and brings to mind all of the lives lost because of man's inhumanity to those he considered somehow inferior.
We meet a young woman who lost her entire family, watch her as she joins partisans who are battling those intent on killing all Jews, and see her find love with a partisan and begin to build a family to support themselves in Israel after leaving Poland.
Books like this one remind us of the horror endured by Jewish people by those driven by hate. Let us never forget what hatred can lead to.
March 24, 2021
An excellent depiction of the courage and fear faced by the Jewish people under the evil of Hitler
This book is a warm, touching, courageous rendering based on factual events. We must never forget the horrific plight of the holocaust. The bands of fighters and families who struggled for survival in the forests were the lucky ones as they did not have to endure the concentration camps, only the bitter cold, the lack of clothing and food and their memories of families they lost.
This book is a warm, touching, courageous rendering based on factual events. We must never forget the horrific plight of the holocaust. The bands of fighters and families who struggled for survival in the forests were the lucky ones as they did not have to endure the concentration camps, only the bitter cold, the lack of clothing and food and their memories of families they lost.
May 22, 2021
Touching story
The story was well written. It told of courage beyond what we would be able to endure now. The story needed to be told, as so many are not hearing this part of history today. My heart was heavy for the people in this story and we should not forget that time of terror. We need to pray for the trouble in the Holy Land that is going on at this time. Thank you for sharing your story.
The story was well written. It told of courage beyond what we would be able to endure now. The story needed to be told, as so many are not hearing this part of history today. My heart was heavy for the people in this story and we should not forget that time of terror. We need to pray for the trouble in the Holy Land that is going on at this time. Thank you for sharing your story.
March 15, 2021
A Story of courage and determination.
Separated from her mother and young brother, after the murders of another brother and their father ,a young immature girl has to survive. Alone amongst strangers hiding in attics and barns she ends up with a group of partisans. Life forces her to mature and choose to do her part making friends and helping to end the war.
Separated from her mother and young brother, after the murders of another brother and their father ,a young immature girl has to survive. Alone amongst strangers hiding in attics and barns she ends up with a group of partisans. Life forces her to mature and choose to do her part making friends and helping to end the war.
May 30, 2021
Jewish camaraderie
I liked the way this book explores how it is vital to work and pray and support one another.
In times of turmoil it's a great thing!
The blessing believers sharing with people whom they have never met before is, in fact that light which shines in darkness until eventually the darkness is gone.
I would recommend this book.
I liked the way this book explores how it is vital to work and pray and support one another.
In times of turmoil it's a great thing!
The blessing believers sharing with people whom they have never met before is, in fact that light which shines in darkness until eventually the darkness is gone.
I would recommend this book.
April 14, 2022
Deeply emotional yet filled with Hope
This story is shared in a conversational tone, as if the author was sharing tea with a new friend as she told her remarkable story. Without embellishment, yet deeply moving, we get deeper insight into the incredible hardships suffered during the war. With hope sustaining the soul.
This story is shared in a conversational tone, as if the author was sharing tea with a new friend as she told her remarkable story. Without embellishment, yet deeply moving, we get deeper insight into the incredible hardships suffered during the war. With hope sustaining the soul.
July 18, 2022
Good Story, Not Great Writing
I’ve read many stories of WWII and the holocaust. This was an interesting story, but needs better editing. Several grammatical errors and a few sentences that either had missing words or just didn’t make sense. However, those errors did not take away from this story that was all too common in this terrible time in history.
I’ve read many stories of WWII and the holocaust. This was an interesting story, but needs better editing. Several grammatical errors and a few sentences that either had missing words or just didn’t make sense. However, those errors did not take away from this story that was all too common in this terrible time in history.
March 8, 2021
Excellent survival story - Respect!
Well written and amazing account of survival. We should
forget the inhuman way the Germans treated all minority groups but especially the Jews. Such resilience and heroism in depraved times.
Well written and amazing account of survival. We should
forget the inhuman way the Germans treated all minority groups but especially the Jews. Such resilience and heroism in depraved times.
April 12, 2021
Good Story
This is a compelling struggle of a Jewish girl, Chaya, and her friend, Yehuda, to survive during WWII after becoming separated from their families. They face continuing dangers as they join the resistance.
This is a compelling struggle of a Jewish girl, Chaya, and her friend, Yehuda, to survive during WWII after becoming separated from their families. They face continuing dangers as they join the resistance.
June 12, 2021
Brave Story of A Resistence Fighter
Superb writing in the first person. Makes you feel like you are walking in the writer’s shoes, experiencing firsthand what she went through.
A must read!
Superb writing in the first person. Makes you feel like you are walking in the writer’s shoes, experiencing firsthand what she went through.
A must read!
July 25, 2021
A fascinating story about a female Jewish partisan during WE2
I read this book very quickly - a shame really since the story is very powerful. A few typos which I generally reported but didn’t detract from the tempo of the story.
I read this book very quickly - a shame really since the story is very powerful. A few typos which I generally reported but didn’t detract from the tempo of the story.
December 21, 2021
Very Moving Story
I was mesmerized by this story. I had trouble putting the book down. It is well -written. It made me think of all the Jewish people have endured and the hardships they faced because of their faith. I admire their dedication to their beliefs!
I was mesmerized by this story. I had trouble putting the book down. It is well -written. It made me think of all the Jewish people have endured and the hardships they faced because of their faith. I admire their dedication to their beliefs!
December 29, 2021
God’s Faithfulness
A tragic yet beautiful story of God’s faithfulness in the midst of satan’s evil plan, using man to destroy man. Thank You for sharing your story in a unique and lovely way.
A tragic yet beautiful story of God’s faithfulness in the midst of satan’s evil plan, using man to destroy man. Thank You for sharing your story in a unique and lovely way.
January 8, 2022
Great Story
I gave this book a five star rating, because of my interest in W.W. II. It features a strong female character who over came a lot to have a good ending to the story. The author wrote with passion and compassion about the characters in her story.
I gave this book a five star rating, because of my interest in W.W. II. It features a strong female character who over came a lot to have a good ending to the story. The author wrote with passion and compassion about the characters in her story.
January 28, 2022
A different view of the resistance
Great book about resistance fighters living in the forests during WWII. Always nice to see positive outcome after living through terror and destruction.
Great book about resistance fighters living in the forests during WWII. Always nice to see positive outcome after living through terror and destruction.
April 17, 2021
Great interesting read
Although this book is fiction it has such a ring of truth to it. Highly recommend. I loved the story.
Although this book is fiction it has such a ring of truth to it. Highly recommend. I loved the story.
May 6, 2021
A Must Read!
This true story will stay with you forever. An incredible story of survival, love, and the true goodness of people during unimaginable horror.
This true story will stay with you forever. An incredible story of survival, love, and the true goodness of people during unimaginable horror.
May 15, 2021
Excellent story of love and survival
A true story of a very brave woman, who along with Jews and Ukranian partisans, hid and survived during WWII.
A true story of a very brave woman, who along with Jews and Ukranian partisans, hid and survived during WWII.
June 5, 2021
Great Reading
This true story kept me reading almost nonstop. I so wanted an ending where people were reunited but that happened so seldom but still it had a great ending.
This true story kept me reading almost nonstop. I so wanted an ending where people were reunited but that happened so seldom but still it had a great ending.
August 24, 2021
makes me aware that things like this could happen today .we need to stay aware I what is going on in the world around us.
January 2, 2022
Good book
These people were so full of courage. This was a wonderful book. That I feel had a happy ending after all they had been through. I will recommend this book.
These people were so full of courage. This was a wonderful book. That I feel had a happy ending after all they had been through. I will recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews