Heroes of the Holocaust: True Stories of Rescues by Teens

by Allan Zulo, Mara Bovsun

Maria Andzelm was a Catholic teenager whose family took in two Jewish men in Nazi-occupied Poland and hid them under their barn floor. She brought them food and books, but they were caught and paid a terrible price. Maria's stirring story is one of five featured in this important book of young people putting their lives on the line for others.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Holocaust, World War II, Short Stories, Childrens, Biography

183 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Jenn Custer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heroes Of The Holocaust
The Heroes Of The Holocaust by Allan Zullo and Mara Bovsun is 6 different true stories about teens that put their lives in jeopardy for others. One of the stories is about a girl named Maria Andzelm, a Catholic teenager who is growing up in a part of Poland that is crawling with Nazi’s. “For months, the Nazis had been rounding up Jews and taking them away, never to be seen again.” (Zullo and Bovsun 7). This quote helps the reader understand that the Jews were being taken away from their homes and forced to do hard labor in concentration camps. Some of Maria’s friends were Jewish, and one by one they were taken away from their homes and their families. The people that were taken away were brought to concentration camps where they worked until they starved to death, were killed from diseases, or killed in gas chambers. One night Marias’ Dad came home and told Maria and her family that they will be hiding two Jewish men in the barn until it is safe for them to walk the streets. Her family gets into some trouble due to the two men that are hiding in her barn. Will Maria be able to keep the two men secret? Will Maria’s family live through all this mess? There are 5 other true stories in this book that are very similar to Maria's story about the holocaust and how some citizens put their lives in danger to help others.
I really liked Heroes Of The Holocaust by Allan Zullo and Mara Bovsun because I found it very interesting even though it was very sad. “The Nazis rounded up sixty-three men and took them out of town and forced them to dig a big hole, then the men were ordered to kneel in front of it, and one by one, they were shot. They fell into the massive grave they just dug.(Zullo and Bovsun 28) I found this interesting because People think of the Holocaust as Jews being killed but I learned from this book that they killed anyone, they didn’t care what their religion was, or if they were handicapped, they just didn’t care. The holocaust wasn’t all about Jews and Gypsies and the handicapped because those sixty-three men weren’t Jewish, and they weren’t handicapped. I also liked that every chapter was a different story so there were no boring parts. Through the entire book I was learning something new. The average length of one chapter is thirty pages. This book was really interesting and I can’t believe how lucky we all are for living in the U.S.A. and not having to live through this awful tragedy. Overall I really enjoyed this book.
I would rate this book a five out of five. The reason I rated this book a five out of five is because I thought the book was really interesting and fun to read. I couldn’t put the book down because of the fact it was a true story. Overall I really liked this book and I could read it over and over again and never get bored of it.

[Avery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heroes Of The Holocaust by Allan Zullo and Mark Bovsun, is a gripping and thrilling book about the compelling, true stories about brave “Righteous” teenagers of the holocaust. This is the story of the teenagers who did not rebel by shooting guns or throwing grenades, they were just normal teenagers who did whatever they could (while not using violence) to stop the Holocaust and protect their companions. From 1940-1945, when many people who could have made a difference looked the other way, these teens risked their lives to help suffering Jews. This book tells you how each of these teens saved Jews from Nazi-Germany, and the risks they faced (If they were caught they would be killed, their whole family could be killed if they were caught). In this book there are six stories about six teens influences on people in the holocaust. Since these stories are completely seperate you do not have to read them in a specific order (I would recommend reading the last story of the book, “It’s a matter of decency”, this is my favorite story). I feel the author did a great job of emphasizing that despite all of these teens coming from different backgrounds they all had the same goal. Save the Jews. Allan Zullo are Holocaust historians and have written many books about the Holocaust (For example, Survivors: True Stories of Children in the Holocaust and We Fought Back: Teen Resisters of the Holocaust). I would recommend this book to someone who likes a Holocaust book because this book is intended to educate people about the Holocaust and what some people did to stop it. If you read this book you will learn about rebellions in the Holocaust, what people did to help, and how many more people just looked the other way. Also, reading this book will teach you valuable lessons like: A bystander is part of the problem, and no matter what race you are people can always help each other. You will also learn about the perspectives some Christians and Catholics took on the Holocaust. I would give this book five out of five stars because it is a factual yet exciting book.

Allan Zullo and Mara Bovsun. Heroes of the Holocaust: True Stories of Rescues by Teens. New York: Scholastic, 2005. Print.

[Edwina Book Anaconda · Rating 5 out of 5]

One can only hope that the teens of today would display the same amount of courage if, (God forbid), they should ever find themselves in a nightmare world such as that created by Hitler and his henchmen.
Riveting and heartbreaking … and, highly recommended.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was truly inspiring. It was true stories, by teens! :) I loved how they did it! :) I would recommend this to many people. I found this book, in my classroom, and decided that it looked pretty good! When I finished, I just felt I needed to read it again! :) I read this in 5th grade, and it is definitely great for any age! It is inspiring, touching, and a wonderful book to read! :)

[Crisanto Vergara · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I think about the book that I just read for the past 8 days was set in the world war II setting. The book is about a catholic teenager named maria that was growing up in a Nazi occupied territory of Poland but on May 1942, The Germans (Nazi) Were Taking people out of there houses and executing or capturing and taking them to 10 Concentration camps. Maria managed to survive with her family by moving to the Ukranian side to avoid German bombing and shootings. Maria Had to left Poland and her friends to survive from the killing's of the Jews.

I recommend this book to people that love true Story events and chaos that is happening around the protagonist!

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. The foreword by the Author gives a little precaution, some of the events in the book are disturbing, but they are true accounts of what happened (Such as a young Jewish man murdered in his village in the middle of the street by the people he grew up with, due to the people wanting more sugar rations...). That is what makes this book more riveting, the fact that these were real young adults in the face of moral atrocities who responded bravely and defending the helpless.

The first girl was Catholic, a few Jewish, and the last Lutheran. I felt as if a big part of their stories were missing because it didn't touch much on any of their faiths, just the heroic actions and the other details. I think a big part of why we do what we do in the face of evil is determined by our faith, our worldview, and how we were raised; it disappointed me to not have any insight into these young people concerning this matter.

But what I did love about each telling of their history, were the real feelings of fear, emotions, and the overcoming them to do what was right. Each story was uniquely different and yet had the theme of respecting human life and risking their lives for the sake of others. All of these young people had "happy endings" in some sense, since they all survived to tell their stories, as well as those who couldn't tell their stories. One girl was even a friend of Anne Frank's older sister, Margot, and only knew what happened to her as the world did: through Anne Frank's diary.

The most amazing story was the last one of the book. It was the Lutheran young man who lived in Denmark. They saved 7,000 of the 7,500 Jewish population due to the courage of the majority of the people in their country. When people stand up in the face of tyranny and work together, so much can be done. My favorite line was from this chapter, "Wars are not always won with bullets and bombs. They are often won with heart, courage, and truth." (pp. 162).

For any who love books about the Holocaust, this is a great book to read, especially for young people.

[Santhoshini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allan Zullo
Biography
183 Pages
Finished on December 2nd


Heroes of the Holocaust is an inspiring book about teenagers and their families that have helped Jews in need, not minding the danger they have put themselves in. It is about different teenagers, some even Jews that help other Jews secretly so they don't get trapped in the Nazis' concentration camps. Each chapter is a different story, showing how each teen despite the hardships in the times of Hitler, many people didn't lose hope and did the right thing, helping Jews that were almost killed in concentration camps, tortured in gas chambers, and many other untimely deaths. These teen rescues helped lead a good future for many people. These helpers will be honored in a special place forever.

I thought that this book was very inspiring. It has many great themes, like to do what is right and to not lose hope. I think the characters, such as Hilde were very brave to do what they did. This book is an extraordinary one that teaches people what everyone people had went through when Hitler and the Nazis took over. It's a great book that shows how millions have helped others despite what the Nazis could have done to them, teaching people that we should help others too and do the right thing. Overall I thought this book definitely deserved five stars.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heroes of the Holocaust opens with a brief overview of Holocaust history. Admittedly, this was written for early middle-school/late elementary-school students, but I found it overly basic (even for that reading level) and drily written. My hopes for the story were not high, but I was surprised by how much the following narratives, each describing a teenager's experiences during World War II, moved me. Every chapter ends with a brief biography describing their adult life and the fates of their family and friends.

The teens include two Gentiles who actively protected Jews, one a Catholic whose family hid two Jewish men in their barn and the other a Danish adolescent who helped Jews escape to Sweden by boat. The rest are Jews who used escaped death through a combination of daring, brains, and a huge helping of luck, usually while working in underground organizations to help others survive. I found their testimonies incredibly powerful and moving. The writing was simplistic, but that helped highlight these heroes' inner strength, fears, and their will to live. In a time when most Europeans found it easy to sit back and do nothing to help, these stories are exceptional and well worth preservation.

An ideal book for young teens who want to learn about the Holocaust, as well as those who enjoy reading compelling personal stories and biographies.

[Sana Maria Soufi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heroes of the Holocaust
Allan Zullo
Nonfiction

This book is about several teenagers and their miraculous stories during the time of the Holocaust. Some of the teenagers were Jews who slipped out of the Nazis fingertips. Some were in connect by standers that couldn't take the horror any longer. They all had different stories but they were all true heroes. They all had near death experiences, some more than once, but that didn't stop these teens from doing what is right. These people were simply teenagers! Not adults. They were fearless and though more about others than they did for themselves.

This book was fascinating. I has always had an interest in the Holocaust but I never though about reading a true holocaust experience book. I was stunned at the courage these teenagers had. It made me cry. I read in awe about these never fearing teenagers and how they never stopped doing what is right even though they could face criminal charges, including death. This book is one I will read again and again and I will make sure all of my family reads it. I can't describe how overcome with emotion I am because of these teens. Real critics do not give five stars but this book deserved it.

[Kareem · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was about teens of the holocaust, and how they help people who were jewish even if they were scared that the nazis would know what they have done, and even at the price of their own life, they helped the people who needed help, I don't think I could be that brave and help other people like they did. In one story a boy was working for the underground and was sabotaging the nazis planes right under their noses, and in the next story a girl was a nurse and helped kids escape the nazis but they had to live the parent behind.
I can connect this book was a book called survivors and it was also about child of the holocaust, but it was more about how nazi made people so scared that some people would not help the jewish family's that were in danger, and it also talked about how the children had the worst of the holocaust.
I give this book 5 stars because it had me on the edge of my seat and each story was really good and fun the read, and each book had a lesson behind its shell.

[Shashi Kant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it's one of the best book for teenagers like us,
we always wants to see ourself as something extraordinary and wants to do something different but when the time comes it becomes a lot difficult for us to do that and this book show all the truth story from that dark past of history that is of holocaust in which how the teenagers had worked on to help themselves and overcome the terror of NAZIS
This books contains lots of different stories of teenagers i think it's about 8 or 9 something...
I liked the most was the second one in which the teenagers makes their own students party as it's also involved with some of the little kind of LOVE!! and AFFECCTIONS!!, especially the most important one friendship.
JUST A MIND BLOWING!!!!!!

[Brent Scarbro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about five inspiring teenagers who helped the Jews during World War II. It shows the determination of young adults willing to help and put their lives in danger during the invasions and occupations of the Hilter's Empire. Maria Andzlem from Poland, a firm believer of her father's faith who told her: "If you do something good, something good will happen to you", risked it all to help two Jewish men hiding them underneath the floor of her barn during 2 years.
Throughout her story we learn a lot more about concentration camps and the Gestapo and how during the worst time of their lives, they all looked out for each others. Maria did pay a terrible price for doing such a remarkable thing - She is one among many other heroes of the painful memory of the Holocaust.

[$wyrl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hope some black, gay, Jewish man fingers Hitler's booty hole.

[Ace · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

I got this for Christmas from my grandparents and although this usually isn't my thing, I gave it a go and...

...This is a really impressive book. The things those teens did, putting their own lives in danger to save hundreds of Jews.

If today's world faced a threat like that, who would do what's right, who would help the wrong side, and who would do nothing?

The retellings of the teens efforts through the war are inspiring. The writing wasn't the best, and it seemed to change from essay to first person to essay went fairly well.

I liked how we find out what happens to them after the war ends. Who they marry, what they do with their lives etc.

This book may give you a deeper understanding of the effects of WW 2 and is a must read if you are curious about people's personal stories during this time in history.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic read to hear some different recounts on what other teenagers did to help the Jews in the wartime.

Each of the 6 accounts gives information about what happened to each of them after the war right up until their deaths. Accounts including their escape and immigration to other countries, whether they were married and had children, what their occupations were.

It’s refreshing to read the accounts that aren’t so famous (such as The Diary of Anne Frank). I would aim these accounts at lower secondary school children, or slightly younger if the child had a particular interest and is mature enough to handle discussions on death and dying.

[That Book Lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of great short stories of teens who defied death when trying to help others in a miserable time in history. These teens helped in many ways such as getting Jews fake identities, homes, and even to a different country. Some of these hero’s are Jews themselves while others were had different religions and a good heart. I recommend this book to those who are interested in reading short stories about such heroes. They truly are some of the Righteous Among The Nations!

[Emily Kidd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I purchased this in the children’s section at my local used bookstore, this is worth anyone’s reading time.

This collection features six true, fast-paced stories highlighting the “war years” in the lives of these young adults who resisted the Nazi regime (based on oral history interviews).

Many of these individuals have been honored on Yad Vashem’s “Righteous Among the Nations” memorial. ❤️

[Ari (Head in a Book) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an inspiring book that brings assurance that teenagers can be heroes and that not everyone agreed and did nothing in relation to the heinous crimes of the holocaust.
The revelation of the statistics were shocking, truly this book can inspire you to help.
Let us hope history doesn't repeat itself.

All these teenagers and every hero mentioned were absolutely heroic and are true heroes of the world.

[Josh Lilley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, it was a pretty good book, I expected a little bit more, like maybe more stories. This book never got boring really. I've been a person that seems to enjoy historical fiction, it's one of the few history-like books that did not get boring. I've read many books of Allan Zullo and they satisfy me almost every time.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the title says, this book is several true stories of rescues by teens during the time of the Holocaust when Jews went into hiding so as to not be sent to concentration camps. Young non-Jews risked their lives to help hide people and even to get them to safety. Amazing stories of bravery in doing what they knew to be right.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I hate the horror and unimaginable things that happened during WWII, I love the inspiring stories of people who did true remarkable things in the face of such danger. These 6 stories of teens who helped fight the Nazis in their own way will uplift anyone and makes me ponder what I would do in such a situation.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was reading this book with a student. The stories are hard because it tells of the tragedies the Germans caused, but you end up cheering for the teens that saved many, many lives. My student learned about compassion while reading this.

[Noah Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book with real stories that made me reflect on my challenges. The stories inspire and galvanize action by showing the reader one can find a way to maintain hope and create a life of meaning in the worst of circumstances.

[Marit · Rating 4 out of 5]

ITS CRAZY THAT THESE ARE TRUE STORIES. ITS EXTREMELY SAD. It broke my heart hearing the awful stories and what these people went through.

[Ryan Barfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome a little sad

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great find in a Netherlands little free library. I loved reading these stories of bravery by teenagers and am so glad these stories are being told for young audiences today.

[LaylaHunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was interesting it talks about how these people have to hide the Jews and it is cool.

[Jacquellyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really nice book highlighting events of the Holocaust. It’s a middle school book, but I still enjoyed hearing these stories that I otherwise would never have known.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!