Forging Freedom: A True Story of Heroism During The Holocaust

by Hudson Talbott

Jaap Penrat can't understand the Germans' hatred of his Jewish neighbors in his hometown of Amsterdam. As the restrictions multiply and the violence escalates, Jaap knows he must take action to help his friends. He begins by using his father's printing press to forge identification cards and papers for Jewish neighbors and refugees, but as the Nazi grasp tightens, he is forced to take a more drastic path -- leading twenty Jews on the dangerous first leg of a journey to Paris, the start of the underground pipeline to safety. This initial group of twenty men is only the beginning; the number eventually grows to over four hundred Jews saved from certain death by Jaap Penraat's heroic efforts, brought to life in this vivid retelling.

Genres: History, Biography, Holocaust, Nonfiction, War, World War II, Historical

64 pages, Hardcover

First published August 19, 2014

Reviews

[Lizzie Wolpert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Forging Freedom is a short story about a man who was not Jewish who helped many other Jews. The main character, Jaap, started out by making fake IDs for Jews, so they wouldn't be recognized as jews by looking at their IDs. He then started to forge other legal documents to help jews get jobs and even leave the country. Towards the end, he tries to help jews leave Germany. It is a dangerous journey as the group travels side by side Nazis officers, but they eventually make it. Japan goes on to help leads many more groups out of Germany. I only rated this book a three because the way they described things in the book was boring, and there was not much action.

[wildct2003 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

The reader sees Jaap Penraat grow up in pre-war Holland and witnesses the Nazi invasion of his country. Never liking the invaders, Jaap had become an expert forger so Jews could have non-discriminating papers. Wanting to do more, he forges enough papers to apply as a construction foreman who is overseeing an Nazi project in France. He then disguises Jewish people as his workers to his phony job site in France where they can then go on to Spain and from there go to other countries. Jaap and his partner do this until May 1944. It is refreshing, in country after country whose populations turned a blind eye to the Jewish persecution, to see a young man who saw injustice and risked arrest, torture, and death to use his talents to do what he could. Turns out, his talents were just what people trying to sneak out of the country needed. I like the school “friend” who is a bully grow up to be a loyal Nazi—the bully image is understandable to most kids and at least partly explains why many people refused to help.

[(NS) Laura Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a chapter book that would be appropriate for grades 4-8. Jaap Penraat can't understand the Germans' hatred of his Jewish neighbors in his hometown of Amsterdam. As the restrictions multiply and the violence escalates, Jaap knows he must take action to help his friends. He begins by using his father's printing press to forge identification cards and papers for Jewish neighbors and refugees, but as the Nazi grasp tightens, he is forced to take a more drastic path--leading twenty Jews on the dangerous first leg of a journey to Paris, the start of the underground pipeline to safety.
This initial group of twenty men is only the beginning; the number eventually grows to over four hundred Jews saved from certain death by Jaap Penraat's heroic efforts, brought to life in this vivid retelling (Summary from Goodreads).

[Stacy Stoker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A children's book about a young man, Jaap Penraat, that forged papers to help Jewish men and boys escape the Nazis. I would be interested in learning more about this, especially what happened to the characters after the war, but this is a good introduction without being too graphic. Heroism, courage and sacrifice are strong themes.

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Forging Freedom" is a book about a brave man who wants to help save the Jews from Hitler. I would recomend this book to any one who likes a suspence story. I liked it because it takes place in World War II. This book has 41 pages.

- William S.

[Tanya Windham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful true story of courage, heroism, and care for fellow man. While millions died during the Holocaust there were many that risked their lives to save hundreds. This is the true story of a Dutch man and his friends efforts to save hundreds of Jewish refugees escape the Nazis.

[Maelee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written story about one man's exceptionlly brave effort to save jews during the holocaust.

[Bola Maldonado]

so far it is a good book

[Suzanne Dix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent middle school story of the Dutch Resistance. Beautifully illustrated as well.

[Zimma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Biography -- Jaap Penraat forged papers and led 406 Jewish young men to safety during World War II.

[Beth Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uplifting true story from World War II with pictures that match the feeling so well. With a sweet epilogue about Jaap and how the author met him.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful reminder of the heroes who put their lives on the line in the fight against the Nazis and the Holocaust. Short chapters and compelling illustrations bring to life an incredible true story highlighting how ordinary people refused to give up in the darkest of times and thus saved hundreds of lives.