Stella's Secret

by Jerry L. Jennings

Stella

Genres: Holocaust

92 pages, Paperback

First published January 14, 2005

Reviews

[Skylar Rosenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my grandmothers book and her retelling of the horrors she faced during the Holocaust; where she did not speak a word for it for 40 years. Although not my biological gradmother, she helped raise me and was a woman so strong and wonderful until sadly; dementia took hold of her and she was trapped in 1942; all over again. Suffering those horrible atrocities for a second time in her life.

If you want a story, of a Holocaust survivor, or would like to know more about her, I am always here. As she is so loved and so brave for everything she went through and everything she lost. 🩷

Honestly I’ve read this at least a dozen times, I’ve written college papers, and have done presentations to WWII Vetrabd about her story.

After reading a book you can find a live version of her talking found through the website https://collections.ushmm.org/search or through contacting me from a video I downloaded off the internet that I’m unable to attach here.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. My college friend, Skylar, is the granddaughter of Stella, and I had never had the chance to read this book. It is a very easy read. You will not be disappointed.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a warmth and charm that I never expected in a Holocaust memoir.  Though terrible things happen, I was inspired and uplifted by Stella's personality and attitudes. The writing is rich with Stella’s accented and grammatically flawed English, and really brings her to life.  It feels like you are sitting with her as she tells her story. This author has written two other Holocaust memoirs which I recommend - Darkness Hides the Flowers, and I Choose Life. They both also capture the personality of the subject in the same inspirational and intimate way.  I think this one in particular is perfect for younger readers for its ability to convey the dignity, hope and goodness in people that transcends horror of the Holocaust. 

 
 

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another memoir of a Polish Jew who survived the Holocaust. As with many other survivors, Stella remained silent for forty years; absolutely refusing to speak of the horror, even with her family. It was in the 80's, when pro-nazis spoke out claiming the Holocaust was all a hoax, that she opened up and then spent years telling her experiences to audiences.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story made better by keeping the author's dialect, inflection, and voice intact, irregular grammar and all. :)

[Dyana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short book and a quick read. Interesting but somewhat detached. Not my favorite book, but still worth the read.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not one of the best holocaust books I've read and not very well written but reads easily enough.