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Greater Than Angels
In the Face of Evil In the autumn of 1940, Anna Hirsch, her friends, and her family are rounded up by the Nazis and deported from Germany into France. They are placed in Gurs, a refugee camp where conditions are inhuman. But even worse is the terror that the Jews will be relocated to one of the Nazi death camps.
Relief workers arrange for Anna and the other young people to be sent to Le Chambon, a tiny village in France. There, the villagers agree to care for the Jewish children. But as the war rages on, Jews in France -- and those who shelter them -- are in increasing danger. Will Anna and her friends survive? Award-winning author Carol Matas presents a powerful and unforgettable story of courage in the face of evil.
Relief workers arrange for Anna and the other young people to be sent to Le Chambon, a tiny village in France. There, the villagers agree to care for the Jewish children. But as the war rages on, Jews in France -- and those who shelter them -- are in increasing danger. Will Anna and her friends survive? Award-winning author Carol Matas presents a powerful and unforgettable story of courage in the face of evil.
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
January 17, 2016
Just finished reading this book out loud to my class today. I decided that since we didn't get to WWII in our social studies and I had already read them Number the Stars, I would stick to the Holocaust theme so they'd at least get some background that way.
This was another book I had read in upper elementary myself. I enjoyed it more than Number the Stars... There is more action and deeper relationships. I think it may have been a little over some of my lower reader's heads but I kind of liked that challenge for them. I know they at least followed the story line. And the best part was the groans and "ew gross"'s that came from them during the subtle romancey parts- completely innocent enough for their age range.
So recommended as similar to but a little faster and more fun than Number the Stars.
This was another book I had read in upper elementary myself. I enjoyed it more than Number the Stars... There is more action and deeper relationships. I think it may have been a little over some of my lower reader's heads but I kind of liked that challenge for them. I know they at least followed the story line. And the best part was the groans and "ew gross"'s that came from them during the subtle romancey parts- completely innocent enough for their age range.
So recommended as similar to but a little faster and more fun than Number the Stars.
June 14, 2016
To be honest, I have read much more engaging stories on the Holocaust. This one jumped around quite a bit and just didn't grip me as a reader. I found it dull and the main character was a bit difficult to really connect with.
February 2, 2018
I liked the strong protagonist and her jokes, and the theological discussions between the characters. However, I found the plot a little bit disjointed -- sometimes it was hard to follow how one event led to the next.
Compared to other reading I've done, this was certainly a "lighter" perspective on the Holocaust (if such a treatment is possible). I didn't understand how the young Anna was allowed to run free through much of the story while her own mother and aunt were detained and eventually sent to Poland. Were there really such different statuses among Jews in Southern France in the early 1940's?
Compared to other reading I've done, this was certainly a "lighter" perspective on the Holocaust (if such a treatment is possible). I didn't understand how the young Anna was allowed to run free through much of the story while her own mother and aunt were detained and eventually sent to Poland. Were there really such different statuses among Jews in Southern France in the early 1940's?
September 20, 2008
I still love this book. I fell in love with it in 6th grade when I picked it up at the book fair because I needed something to read. It's a really good story about a teenager's struggle through World War II and hiding from the Nazi's, since she is Jewish. She goes many places and has a lot of close calls. I especially love the quotes at the beginning of each chapter - Shakespeare, one of my favorites. My essay on this book got me into the honors program my 9th grade year, and I still enjoy reading it after 6 years.
November 12, 2017
Anmeldt af Moeslund på bookeater.dk:
(http://www.bookeater.dk/vbforum/histo...)
Større end engle er en virkelig gribende bog, som giver et nyt perspektiv til historien om Anden verdenskrig, - som man ellers skulle kro var godt dækket, - og den sætter nogle tanker i gang hos en, for Anna's gåpåmod og evne til at holde hovedet koldt, selv om hele hendes verden er ved at falde sammen om ørene på hende, er utrolig.
Annas far døde da hun var lille, og hendes storebror Max, og storesøster Ilse er flygtet, til henholdsvis USA og England, så hun bor sammen med sin mor, moster og mormor, som alle sammen prøver på at hjælpe andre, men de har hver deres måde at gøre det på.
I og med at Anna kan holde hovedet koldt, og tænke klart, så er der mange der er afhængig af hende, og selvom hun er meget yngre, end de fleste af dem der har brug for hende, så svigter hun dem ikke, og hun er altid klar med en vittighed eller to, hvis dagende bliver lidt for lange i de uhumske barakker.
Selv om Anna har meget ansvar, så er der stadigvæk plads til venner og kærlighed.
De ting der sker med jøder under Anden verdenkrig, for Anna, - og mange andre, - til at sætte spørgsmålstegn ved Gud, for hvorfor hjælper han dem ikke? Har Gud ikke en plan med alle mennesker, og hvis han har, er Jødernes plan så at blive mishandlet, dræbt, og behandlet som dyr?
Anna stiller ikke kun spørgsmålstegn ved skabelsen, og Gud. Hun stiller også spørgsmålstegn, ved hvad der burde have første prioritet. Burde det være mad, eller musik? For hvad er mad egentlig vær hvis ingen er glade og kan se meningen med at fortsætte livet?
Handlingen er meget enkel, men selvom jeg allerede ved hvad der skete under Anden verdenskrig, så blev bogen ved med at overraske mig,og jeg fik lov at se krigen fra en anden vinkel, i og med at vi i Danmark ikke så tit hører historier, fra folk der har levet i Frankrig og Schweiz under Anden verdenskrig. Bogen er baseret på virkelige hændelser, hvilket også går at det hele føles rigtig virkelighedstro, og det får en til at blive endnu mere grebet af historien. Man får også et virkelig detaljeret billede af hvad der sker, taget i betragtning at bogen er ret kort, og man føler med Anna hele vejen igennem.
(http://www.bookeater.dk/vbforum/histo...)
Større end engle er en virkelig gribende bog, som giver et nyt perspektiv til historien om Anden verdenskrig, - som man ellers skulle kro var godt dækket, - og den sætter nogle tanker i gang hos en, for Anna's gåpåmod og evne til at holde hovedet koldt, selv om hele hendes verden er ved at falde sammen om ørene på hende, er utrolig.
Annas far døde da hun var lille, og hendes storebror Max, og storesøster Ilse er flygtet, til henholdsvis USA og England, så hun bor sammen med sin mor, moster og mormor, som alle sammen prøver på at hjælpe andre, men de har hver deres måde at gøre det på.
I og med at Anna kan holde hovedet koldt, og tænke klart, så er der mange der er afhængig af hende, og selvom hun er meget yngre, end de fleste af dem der har brug for hende, så svigter hun dem ikke, og hun er altid klar med en vittighed eller to, hvis dagende bliver lidt for lange i de uhumske barakker.
Selv om Anna har meget ansvar, så er der stadigvæk plads til venner og kærlighed.
De ting der sker med jøder under Anden verdenkrig, for Anna, - og mange andre, - til at sætte spørgsmålstegn ved Gud, for hvorfor hjælper han dem ikke? Har Gud ikke en plan med alle mennesker, og hvis han har, er Jødernes plan så at blive mishandlet, dræbt, og behandlet som dyr?
Anna stiller ikke kun spørgsmålstegn ved skabelsen, og Gud. Hun stiller også spørgsmålstegn, ved hvad der burde have første prioritet. Burde det være mad, eller musik? For hvad er mad egentlig vær hvis ingen er glade og kan se meningen med at fortsætte livet?
Handlingen er meget enkel, men selvom jeg allerede ved hvad der skete under Anden verdenskrig, så blev bogen ved med at overraske mig,og jeg fik lov at se krigen fra en anden vinkel, i og med at vi i Danmark ikke så tit hører historier, fra folk der har levet i Frankrig og Schweiz under Anden verdenskrig. Bogen er baseret på virkelige hændelser, hvilket også går at det hele føles rigtig virkelighedstro, og det får en til at blive endnu mere grebet af historien. Man får også et virkelig detaljeret billede af hvad der sker, taget i betragtning at bogen er ret kort, og man føler med Anna hele vejen igennem.
February 20, 2015
gr 6-8 131pgs
WWII Vichy France. 13 year old Anna, along with her mother, aunt, grandmother, and neighbors, is deported from her home in Germany to a refugee camp in Gurs, France. Living conditions in the camp are difficult with very little food, but Anna tries to keep people's spirits up by helping to organize performances and concerts. When Anna and some of the children are offered a chance to go to Le Chambon where the residents have agreed to care for and hide Jewish children, Anna's aunt and mother insist she go even though it means she must leave them behind. Before she leaves, Anna's mother makes her promise to that she'll be alright. Anna promises and is determined to keep that promise no matter what.
**The children survive, but their parents, left behind in the camp, do not.
WWII Vichy France. 13 year old Anna, along with her mother, aunt, grandmother, and neighbors, is deported from her home in Germany to a refugee camp in Gurs, France. Living conditions in the camp are difficult with very little food, but Anna tries to keep people's spirits up by helping to organize performances and concerts. When Anna and some of the children are offered a chance to go to Le Chambon where the residents have agreed to care for and hide Jewish children, Anna's aunt and mother insist she go even though it means she must leave them behind. Before she leaves, Anna's mother makes her promise to that she'll be alright. Anna promises and is determined to keep that promise no matter what.
**The children survive, but their parents, left behind in the camp, do not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2011
1) i loved this book so much. the only thing that i think could have been changed about this book is that they started it off too quick. also, closer to the ending, they got a little bit repetitive. the things i liked the most about this book was that they had information in it.
2) the best thing about this book was the names of the characters because they were unique. i also really loved the ending. the ending was very sad, but very intense.
3) the characters were very interesting and realistic. they were unique, and they all had a different personality. some were mean, some were nice.
2) the best thing about this book was the names of the characters because they were unique. i also really loved the ending. the ending was very sad, but very intense.
3) the characters were very interesting and realistic. they were unique, and they all had a different personality. some were mean, some were nice.
April 26, 2018
Greater Than Angels, by Carol Matas, is a short novel telling the story of a group of children living their lives and trying to escape from the evil during the time of World War II. Though the story is fiction, this novel is based on a true story of the French village that hid the many Jewish children from the Nazis and helped to save their lives.
Anna Hirsch, her friends, and her family are rounded up by the Nazis and deported from Germany into France where they are placed in Gurs, a refugee camp where conditions are inhuman. Worse than this is the fear that the Jews will be relocated to one of the Nazi death camps. While Anna tries to make people feel somewhat less miserable by putting on concerts with some of the other refugees full of songs, dances and jokes, their lives have still been destroyed. After one year at being at Gurs, relief workers arrange for Anna, her friend Klara and brother Rudi, along with some other young people to be sent to Le Chambon, a tiny village in France. There, the villagers agree to care for the Jewish children. Their mothers do not hesitate a moment about sending them, even though they know they will probably never see each other again. At Le Chambon, the children are allowed to attend school and live a relatively normal life. They are even allowed to send and receive letter from family at Gurs and Anna even gets permission to return there to see her mother at one point. But as the war continues and things start to go badly for the Nazis, word comes to Le Chambon that the camp residents have all been deported east. It also becomes too dangerous for the children at Le Chambron to stay as well, so Anna, Klara and another young boy named Peter set off to escape to Switzerland where they hope they can find refuge and be safe.
The author has created an interesting, realistic novel based on true events. Although short, it is a powerful story and at times filled with nail-biting tension. The author also used many references to theatre plays and other famous literature which gave the book character. The author of this book also wrote it with a lot of flashbacks. The whole story is basically a flashback on what happened to them until the characters try to escape for freedom.
I liked this novel a lot. I am not usually one to be interested in the history part of things, although this was quite an interesting book which had a lot of history in it. It was also a bit emotional as well. Even though it is short and an easier read, I would probably still recommend it for slightly older readers just based on the content. Overall, Greater Than Angels is probably one of my favourite books that was a simple, yet fascinating read.
Anna Hirsch, her friends, and her family are rounded up by the Nazis and deported from Germany into France where they are placed in Gurs, a refugee camp where conditions are inhuman. Worse than this is the fear that the Jews will be relocated to one of the Nazi death camps. While Anna tries to make people feel somewhat less miserable by putting on concerts with some of the other refugees full of songs, dances and jokes, their lives have still been destroyed. After one year at being at Gurs, relief workers arrange for Anna, her friend Klara and brother Rudi, along with some other young people to be sent to Le Chambon, a tiny village in France. There, the villagers agree to care for the Jewish children. Their mothers do not hesitate a moment about sending them, even though they know they will probably never see each other again. At Le Chambon, the children are allowed to attend school and live a relatively normal life. They are even allowed to send and receive letter from family at Gurs and Anna even gets permission to return there to see her mother at one point. But as the war continues and things start to go badly for the Nazis, word comes to Le Chambon that the camp residents have all been deported east. It also becomes too dangerous for the children at Le Chambron to stay as well, so Anna, Klara and another young boy named Peter set off to escape to Switzerland where they hope they can find refuge and be safe.
The author has created an interesting, realistic novel based on true events. Although short, it is a powerful story and at times filled with nail-biting tension. The author also used many references to theatre plays and other famous literature which gave the book character. The author of this book also wrote it with a lot of flashbacks. The whole story is basically a flashback on what happened to them until the characters try to escape for freedom.
I liked this novel a lot. I am not usually one to be interested in the history part of things, although this was quite an interesting book which had a lot of history in it. It was also a bit emotional as well. Even though it is short and an easier read, I would probably still recommend it for slightly older readers just based on the content. Overall, Greater Than Angels is probably one of my favourite books that was a simple, yet fascinating read.
December 27, 2025
Anna, a young German Jewish girl, is deported to an internment camp in southern France with her mother, aunt, and elderly grandmother. A relief worker helps her leave the camp, along with her best friend, Klara, and Klara's brother. The Jewish children are taken to the small town of le Chambon, and the entire town comes together to help them.
Anna and her friends are fictional characters, but the book is based on a true story. The little town of le Chambon really did save hundreds of Jewish children (between 800 and 5000) from deportation. While the story itself is compelling, the writing is a bit weak and the characters are pretty one-dimensional. Even Pastor Andre Trocmé and his wife Magda (two real holocaust rescuers) are background characters and only mentioned in passing. The plot is a bit disjointed, there's a lot of jumping back and forth in time that made the story confusing and hard to follow.
The main character, Anna, is...Fine. I thought she was a more interesting protagonist than Marisa. (From In My Enemy's House) I liked that Anna had a feisty/spunky personality, and used humor and performing to cope with the horrors of internment. If Marisa's defining character trait was "I want to be a scholar.", Anna's defining trait is "I want to be an actress." That's really all there is to her. Near the end of the book, she wants to join the resistance like Klara's brother Rudi, but it didn't feel convincing to me.
Also, I found it really hard to believe that Anna could just come and go and do almost anything she wanted while her mother and aunt were stuck in an internment camp. I'm no historian but that didn't seem historically accurate to me. Despite my issues, I think this book did a good job exploring a lesser known episode in holocaust history. Not a bad book, but it could have been better.
Anna and her friends are fictional characters, but the book is based on a true story. The little town of le Chambon really did save hundreds of Jewish children (between 800 and 5000) from deportation. While the story itself is compelling, the writing is a bit weak and the characters are pretty one-dimensional. Even Pastor Andre Trocmé and his wife Magda (two real holocaust rescuers) are background characters and only mentioned in passing. The plot is a bit disjointed, there's a lot of jumping back and forth in time that made the story confusing and hard to follow.
The main character, Anna, is...Fine. I thought she was a more interesting protagonist than Marisa. (From In My Enemy's House) I liked that Anna had a feisty/spunky personality, and used humor and performing to cope with the horrors of internment. If Marisa's defining character trait was "I want to be a scholar.", Anna's defining trait is "I want to be an actress." That's really all there is to her. Near the end of the book, she wants to join the resistance like Klara's brother Rudi, but it didn't feel convincing to me.
Also, I found it really hard to believe that Anna could just come and go and do almost anything she wanted while her mother and aunt were stuck in an internment camp. I'm no historian but that didn't seem historically accurate to me. Despite my issues, I think this book did a good job exploring a lesser known episode in holocaust history. Not a bad book, but it could have been better.
June 9, 2017
In 1940, a war crazed time, a fifteen year old girl Anna Hirsch, her aunt Mina, and grandma Oma are rounded up by Nazi’s. Anna and her family are Jew’s, so they were sent to a refugee camp in France. The living conditions in the refugee camp are just bearable enough to get by. The food at refugee camps weren’t good and there wasn’t a lot, so many starved to death. Anna and the rest of her family had a hard time adjusting to the atmosphere and environment of a refugee camp; they hoped that they wouldn’t get sent to a death camp. Not knowing many, Anna was happy to find her friend Klara there. Anna and her friend Klara had an opportunity to go to school in Le Chambon, but this meant that she may not be able to see her family anymore. Anna’s and Klara’s family did not hesitate when sending them away because they wished for a better life for them. It seemed peaceful at first, but conditions soon became dangerous for the Jewish people and children, causing Anna and Klara to be on the run from the Gestapo.
This novel is a fictional novel based on stories that probably happened back when there was a war with the Nazi’s. Greater than Angels is a powerful book that will give you insight on how life was for the Jewish back when you could be killed just for being Jewish. This novel will take you on a journey of the courageous young woman, Anna Hirsch as she runs into many bumpy roads and dead ends. She perceivers no matter the situation and never loses hope. I recommend this book to teachers who want to teach students on what life was like for Jew’s during the 1940’s and to people who like books with courageous personalities and especially history.
This novel is a fictional novel based on stories that probably happened back when there was a war with the Nazi’s. Greater than Angels is a powerful book that will give you insight on how life was for the Jewish back when you could be killed just for being Jewish. This novel will take you on a journey of the courageous young woman, Anna Hirsch as she runs into many bumpy roads and dead ends. She perceivers no matter the situation and never loses hope. I recommend this book to teachers who want to teach students on what life was like for Jew’s during the 1940’s and to people who like books with courageous personalities and especially history.
February 2, 2024
En letlæst roman om grufuldhederne mod jøderne under anden verdenskrig.
Vi følger Anna Hirch og hendes jødiske familie, der i 1940 bliver deporteret fra Mannheim til flytningerlejren Gurs i Frankrig, inden hun slipper fra lejren og kommer i midlertidig sikkerhed i Le Chambon, en landsby, hvor indbyggerne trodsede landets førte politik og beskyttede de flygtende mennesker.
Det er en bog om håb, kærlighed, venskab og behovet for at overleve. Grufuldhederne bliver beskrevet, så man ikke er i tvivl om, at det er umenneskeligt, men samtidig sker det på en måde, hvor det ikke er alt for udpenslet og det er muligt at læse historien og blive grebet af de store følelser, der er med i bogen.
Selvom rejsen for Anna og hendes familie og venner er grufuld, er der heldigvis også mennesker, der møder dem med barmhjertighed og sætter deres eget liv på spil for at redde dem fra nazisterne. Heldigvis findes der næstekærlighed blandt mennesker, selvom krigen var grufuld og manges gerninger blev blottet for menneskelighed.
Nogle af scenerne skiller sig ud og står tilbage som små lysglimt i en meget mørk fortælling. Da Anna er i Gurs med meget trange og miserable kår, formår de indsatte at skabe koncerter med instrumenter, sang og dans. For et øjeblik glemmer de elendigheden og lever med glæde, omend det kun er i få minutter.
Bogen bygger på virkelige handlinger og det er skræmmende at blive konfronteret med, hvad jøder blev udsat for under anden verdenskrig. Men netop fordi historien bliver formidlet så blidt, som man nu kan, når det handler om fordrivelse, udstødelse og deportationer, er bogen oplagt som læsning i udskolingen og op. For vi skal huske historien og vi skal især huske, at der findes håb i menneskeheden, selvom alt ser sort ud.
Vi følger Anna Hirch og hendes jødiske familie, der i 1940 bliver deporteret fra Mannheim til flytningerlejren Gurs i Frankrig, inden hun slipper fra lejren og kommer i midlertidig sikkerhed i Le Chambon, en landsby, hvor indbyggerne trodsede landets førte politik og beskyttede de flygtende mennesker.
Det er en bog om håb, kærlighed, venskab og behovet for at overleve. Grufuldhederne bliver beskrevet, så man ikke er i tvivl om, at det er umenneskeligt, men samtidig sker det på en måde, hvor det ikke er alt for udpenslet og det er muligt at læse historien og blive grebet af de store følelser, der er med i bogen.
Selvom rejsen for Anna og hendes familie og venner er grufuld, er der heldigvis også mennesker, der møder dem med barmhjertighed og sætter deres eget liv på spil for at redde dem fra nazisterne. Heldigvis findes der næstekærlighed blandt mennesker, selvom krigen var grufuld og manges gerninger blev blottet for menneskelighed.
Nogle af scenerne skiller sig ud og står tilbage som små lysglimt i en meget mørk fortælling. Da Anna er i Gurs med meget trange og miserable kår, formår de indsatte at skabe koncerter med instrumenter, sang og dans. For et øjeblik glemmer de elendigheden og lever med glæde, omend det kun er i få minutter.
Bogen bygger på virkelige handlinger og det er skræmmende at blive konfronteret med, hvad jøder blev udsat for under anden verdenskrig. Men netop fordi historien bliver formidlet så blidt, som man nu kan, når det handler om fordrivelse, udstødelse og deportationer, er bogen oplagt som læsning i udskolingen og op. For vi skal huske historien og vi skal især huske, at der findes håb i menneskeheden, selvom alt ser sort ud.
February 3, 2020
2.5 stars. A story that needs to be told, but it lacked a little something in the telling. It felt a bit rushed, so I didn't get to know the characters deeply enough. The protagonist was a common character trope, the plucky entertainer who boosts everyone's spirits with jokes and songs, but she never really rounded out at a character beyond the confines of the trope, so even at the end when they tried to give her a bit of an edge, I didn't feel it. The novel, by its title and notes, seems to want to celebrate the people of this French town who took a stand against the Holocaust machine, but since these helpers mostly didn't get much attention from the author--remaining useful background figures, not well-developed characters in their own right--that kind of fell flat. That said, it was a good glimpse into the muddy flip-flopping of different countries' treatment of Holocaust refugees, not as clear-cut as is widely assumed/believed decades later even in neutral countries who from one day to the next might accept refugees or deport them to certain death.
Though not the most engaging of World War Two books, this short novel of survival still brings up a few lesser-known points and might still appeal to middle school or younger teen readers.
Though not the most engaging of World War Two books, this short novel of survival still brings up a few lesser-known points and might still appeal to middle school or younger teen readers.
November 13, 2018
It takes place during the holocaust. The main character Anni and her family are taken away in a train to paris. As the book goes on, Anne is moved from camp to a place that takes in children. They work there and sleep in homes. Anni Then started to do things with her friend that could get her in a lot of trouble, everything that has happened to her taught her so much. Things happen for a reason. Another one could be is Things that seem tough to get through are things that teach you the most. I feel like this represents the book a lot more. Though it can be taken any way.
This novel was a very good novel. Though it was about something that is used a lot in novels, this one ad a different type of feeling that came off. This novel had a lot of happy moments but also very sad moments. It made you feel things that were different and new.
This novel was a very good novel. Though it was about something that is used a lot in novels, this one ad a different type of feeling that came off. This novel had a lot of happy moments but also very sad moments. It made you feel things that were different and new.
April 22, 2021
Read for school library. It contains some quite mature subject matter so did not pass it due to younger readers, but still an incredible read. A lovely book that shows true love in the face of great evil. I would say grade 9-11, depending on how sensitive you are. The main character escapes some men intent on raping her, though they do not succeed or use the word. Some violence you find in concentration camps, and doubt in God you can expect from people suffering in unimaginable ways, but as a person of faith, I would be hesitant to give it to too young of readers with faith because they may struggle with it before they are ready for it. That's why I say grade 9-11 ish
November 6, 2021
Pluses: strong female protagonist, not many book leads have a theater back story so that was a neat addition to the book. New side of WWII that I hadn't learned about.
Negatives: plot jumping around without doing it well, and it was odd to believe that Jewish kids could be running around while their parents were locked up and eventually carted off, but I'll have to learn more about this town before judging since it certainly sounds like the author did a lot of research for this book. Also it didn't need a romance thrown in at the end haphazardly.
Overall it's a quick read.
Negatives: plot jumping around without doing it well, and it was odd to believe that Jewish kids could be running around while their parents were locked up and eventually carted off, but I'll have to learn more about this town before judging since it certainly sounds like the author did a lot of research for this book. Also it didn't need a romance thrown in at the end haphazardly.
Overall it's a quick read.
February 26, 2020
I read this several years ago, but now that my daughter is really interested in the Holocaust, this was a good one to pick off of my shelves and read together. While it celebrates the rare rescuer, it deals with a lot of the issues that victims had to deal with without going into the concentration camps. A good read for younger readers if they are interested in this historical event.
June 28, 2025
My grandmother bought me this book from the scholastic book fair in 5th grade. I read this book so many times the cover fell apart. I loved it. I’m 32 now and have been struggling to find that book I loved so much as a child. I recently was able to figure out the title after years! I can’t wait to share this book with my own children and enjoy it all over again!
July 13, 2017
I loved this book! The characters are very likeable and the story exciting and easy to follow. Unlike other books about World War 2/ the Holocaust, this one is appropriate for younger readers.
I am partial to the type of simple romance included in the final chapters of this book, too. :)
I am partial to the type of simple romance included in the final chapters of this book, too. :)
July 18, 2020
Another book from “in Search of Deep Faith”. This one deals with Pastor Trocme in France who admonished his community to resist the Nazi Regime and aid the Jews. Fictional story geared towards middle grades. Content was good but writing was a bit weak.
February 3, 2019
Speaking as a non-denominational Christian, this book was theologically closer to the truth than many of Matas's other books.
March 3, 2020
Another Holocaust true story. These stories always amaze me and make me feel fortunate. I cannot imagine having lived through these experiences.
June 5, 2020
Great YA historical fiction about the Holocaust.
November 26, 2020
the book at the start is ok but at the end ts fricking trash like the story just dies off and it's just full of random events the Rudi x anna thing ruined Rudi I want to die to thank you.
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August 10, 2023hc
December 19, 2017
rigtig god bog.
July 19, 2012
1940 when Anna Hirsch, her mother, her Aunt Mina, and her grand Oma are rounded up by Nazis and deported to Gurs, a refugee camp in the Vichy, France, they see little hope for their future. Food is scarce, and the living conditions are horrible. No bathrooms, sleeping on straw, always cold and hungry, sadly, it doesn’t take long for Oma to succumb to it all. But, at least, Anna’s friend Klara was there. Their nightmare is the fear that they will be relocated again to one of the death camps.
Almost a year after arriving at Gurs, Anna and Klara are given the opportunity to live in a children’s home run by the Swiss Red Cross in Le Chambon-sur-Lignon along with Klara’s brother Rudi and others, their mothers do not hesitate a moment about sending them, even though they know they will probably never see each other again.
At Le Chambon, the refugees are allowed to attend school and live a relatively normal life. They are even allowed to send and receive letter from family at Gurs and Anna even gets permission to return there to see her mother at one point. But as the war continues and things start to go badly for the Nazis, word comes to Le Chambon that the camp residents have all been deported east.
Eventually, conditions in Le Chambon become dangerous for the Jewish children. Anna and Klara find themselves on the run from the Gestapo who are looking for them, but they always manage to find a place to hid with the French residents, but they know that they can’t continue to run and a permanent solutions needs to be found or they will be arrested.
Anna and Klara are fictional characters, but they could have been any one of the over 3,000-3,500 Jews who were hidden and saved by local French residents of Le Chambon under the guidance of André Trocmé, a Huguenot pastor and pacifist.
Greater than Angles is a short, but powerful novel about courageous people - both the French who also risked possible death for sheltering the young Jews from increasing the danger of the Nazis and the young Jews themselves, whose will to survive is admirable, even in the face of unspeakable conditons and loss.
Based on actual occurrences during the German occupation of France – author Carol Matas unveils a goodness that permeated one corner of a region enveloped in evil, and celebrates the courage that made these citizens "greater than angels."
Review from The Children's War http://thechildrenswar.blogspot.com/2...
*The above website links to an article from the Holocaust Museum of some of the actual young survivors of Le Chambon
Almost a year after arriving at Gurs, Anna and Klara are given the opportunity to live in a children’s home run by the Swiss Red Cross in Le Chambon-sur-Lignon along with Klara’s brother Rudi and others, their mothers do not hesitate a moment about sending them, even though they know they will probably never see each other again.
At Le Chambon, the refugees are allowed to attend school and live a relatively normal life. They are even allowed to send and receive letter from family at Gurs and Anna even gets permission to return there to see her mother at one point. But as the war continues and things start to go badly for the Nazis, word comes to Le Chambon that the camp residents have all been deported east.
Eventually, conditions in Le Chambon become dangerous for the Jewish children. Anna and Klara find themselves on the run from the Gestapo who are looking for them, but they always manage to find a place to hid with the French residents, but they know that they can’t continue to run and a permanent solutions needs to be found or they will be arrested.
Anna and Klara are fictional characters, but they could have been any one of the over 3,000-3,500 Jews who were hidden and saved by local French residents of Le Chambon under the guidance of André Trocmé, a Huguenot pastor and pacifist.
Greater than Angles is a short, but powerful novel about courageous people - both the French who also risked possible death for sheltering the young Jews from increasing the danger of the Nazis and the young Jews themselves, whose will to survive is admirable, even in the face of unspeakable conditons and loss.
Based on actual occurrences during the German occupation of France – author Carol Matas unveils a goodness that permeated one corner of a region enveloped in evil, and celebrates the courage that made these citizens "greater than angels."
Review from The Children's War http://thechildrenswar.blogspot.com/2...
*The above website links to an article from the Holocaust Museum of some of the actual young survivors of Le Chambon
October 5, 2020
Større end engle var slet ikke som jeg havde forventet, men dette er egentlig slet ikke negativt ment. I forhold til Tellerups sædvanlige profil, så blev jeg fascineret af denne romans genre, som primært omhandler jødernes frygtelige tilstand under Anden Verdenskrig.
Det skal så også siges, at Større end engle er en særdeles velskrevet roman, som sætter mange tanker i gang. Hovedpersonen Anna (eller Anni, som hun kaldes) fortæller sin egen historie som jøde under krigen og det er helt tydeligt, at hun bliver voksen meget hurtigt af alle de begivenheder og grumsomheder, som hun er vidne til.
Jeg er vild med historiske romaner, som bygger på virkelig hændelser. Denne romans fokus er primært på det nazi-besatte Frankrig (Le Chambon-sur-Lignon). Det er så vigtigt for os at dykke ned i disse fortællinger, selvom det er barsk læsning, og frygteligt (!) at tænke på, at mennesker led under disse forhold.
Det er en rigtig spændende roman, som jeg kun kan anbefale. Den sætter spørgsmål ved menneskets evner og handlinger, det gode mod det onde, religion og musik. Samtidig er der et gemt håb, som lyser i mørket – et håb om, at der er en vej ud. De eneste minusser for mig i min læsning var, at bogen ofte bliver lidt opremsende for at følge historien og begivenheder, som fandt sted. Ofte skal man holde tungen lige i munden – eller også var min ferie-hjerne træt – hvem ved? Men naturligvis er dette meget detaljeret beskrevet og godt udført og det er tydeligt, at der gemmer sig et grundigt researcharbejde bag denne roman.
Større end engle er en velskrevet roman, som både kan læses af unge og voksne. Det er en god mulighed for unge at blive introduceret til historien, samtidig med at der ikke er alt for barsk-penslede beskrivelser. I sammenligning med Anne Franks Dagbog får man i Større end engle et indblik i det franske nazi-besatte område. Skrivestilen er ikke så personlig som i Anne Franks, men mere handlingsbaseret. Selvom disse to romaner er meget forskellige, så er de gode på hver deres måde.
Carol Matas har skrevet en roman, som præsenterer begivenheder under Anden Verdenskrig. Samtidig får vi som læsere et indblik i en ung piges udvikling gennem den svære tid, hvordan hun alt for hurtigt tvinges til at blive voksen, men Annas stærke personlighed skinner tydeligt igennem og det medfører, at man i den grad hurtigt bliver glad for hende.
Det skal så også siges, at Større end engle er en særdeles velskrevet roman, som sætter mange tanker i gang. Hovedpersonen Anna (eller Anni, som hun kaldes) fortæller sin egen historie som jøde under krigen og det er helt tydeligt, at hun bliver voksen meget hurtigt af alle de begivenheder og grumsomheder, som hun er vidne til.
Jeg er vild med historiske romaner, som bygger på virkelig hændelser. Denne romans fokus er primært på det nazi-besatte Frankrig (Le Chambon-sur-Lignon). Det er så vigtigt for os at dykke ned i disse fortællinger, selvom det er barsk læsning, og frygteligt (!) at tænke på, at mennesker led under disse forhold.
Det er en rigtig spændende roman, som jeg kun kan anbefale. Den sætter spørgsmål ved menneskets evner og handlinger, det gode mod det onde, religion og musik. Samtidig er der et gemt håb, som lyser i mørket – et håb om, at der er en vej ud. De eneste minusser for mig i min læsning var, at bogen ofte bliver lidt opremsende for at følge historien og begivenheder, som fandt sted. Ofte skal man holde tungen lige i munden – eller også var min ferie-hjerne træt – hvem ved? Men naturligvis er dette meget detaljeret beskrevet og godt udført og det er tydeligt, at der gemmer sig et grundigt researcharbejde bag denne roman.
Større end engle er en velskrevet roman, som både kan læses af unge og voksne. Det er en god mulighed for unge at blive introduceret til historien, samtidig med at der ikke er alt for barsk-penslede beskrivelser. I sammenligning med Anne Franks Dagbog får man i Større end engle et indblik i det franske nazi-besatte område. Skrivestilen er ikke så personlig som i Anne Franks, men mere handlingsbaseret. Selvom disse to romaner er meget forskellige, så er de gode på hver deres måde.
Carol Matas har skrevet en roman, som præsenterer begivenheder under Anden Verdenskrig. Samtidig får vi som læsere et indblik i en ung piges udvikling gennem den svære tid, hvordan hun alt for hurtigt tvinges til at blive voksen, men Annas stærke personlighed skinner tydeligt igennem og det medfører, at man i den grad hurtigt bliver glad for hende.
May 24, 2011
Greater then Angels, written by Carol Matas. Greater then Angels is a book about a family who got deported to the south of France from the Nazis. However, the citizens in France agreed to take care of the young Jewish people to prevent them from being sent to horrible camps. It allows you to follow Anna, Klara, Rudi and Peter to love and freedom.
The best thing about this book is Anna's and Rudis'relationship. I liked it because in the begining of the book, they couldn't stand eachother! However, going threw the Holocause is definatley not easy, so if you're going through something at that extent, it would most likely bring you closer to eachother. Anna and Rudi grew to like eachoth a lot, they became quite affectionate with eachother. By then end of the book, they were a strong couple who could do anything together.
Yes, I do think the characters are interesting and realistic. There were 4 main characters, Anna, Klara, Rudi and Peter. Anna and Rudi were kind of like the leaders out of the 4, the would never show weakness and always know what to do. Klara was more of the worrier, she was always scared as to what was going to happen next. But of course if you are going through something like that, there is going to be a person who will be scared. And then there is Peter, he was more of the risk taker. He always knew what he wanted and when he wanted it. And if he couldn't have it, he would do whatever he could do to get it.
The best thing about this book is Anna's and Rudis'relationship. I liked it because in the begining of the book, they couldn't stand eachother! However, going threw the Holocause is definatley not easy, so if you're going through something at that extent, it would most likely bring you closer to eachother. Anna and Rudi grew to like eachoth a lot, they became quite affectionate with eachother. By then end of the book, they were a strong couple who could do anything together.
Yes, I do think the characters are interesting and realistic. There were 4 main characters, Anna, Klara, Rudi and Peter. Anna and Rudi were kind of like the leaders out of the 4, the would never show weakness and always know what to do. Klara was more of the worrier, she was always scared as to what was going to happen next. But of course if you are going through something like that, there is going to be a person who will be scared. And then there is Peter, he was more of the risk taker. He always knew what he wanted and when he wanted it. And if he couldn't have it, he would do whatever he could do to get it.
April 28, 2015
Greater Than Angels is a Historical fiction book regarding the Holocaust. This story is about a young teenage girl named Anna Hirsch. We journey with Anna as she struggles to stay out of the grasp of the Nazis. Throughout the Holocaust, instead of centering her focus on herself, Anna’s attention is directed to other Jews in need of help. Time and time again you will find yourself in awe of Anna’s willingness to help. Carol Matas shows that even during the most tragic events, happiness can be found. The author demonstrates this theme when Anna is staying at a refugee camp in France. Even though the residents are in dire need of food and cleaner living conditions, Anna is able to lift the cloud of immense dreariness surrounding the camp by performing concerts for the refugees.These concerts brought laughter and smiles to the women, even if it was only for a few hours. What I thought was note-worthy about this book was how the topic of religion was discussed. Matas doesn’t make the effort to try and convert you, instead she reveals to you Anna’s struggle to believe in a God who would allow such evil to dominate in the world. Greater Than Angels is a great story about discovering what you are willing to do for those you love. Read about Anna’s personal growth through the Holocaust and watch as the strength of her heart multiplies.
March 18, 2013
Main Issue: Nazis invaded the main characters house and sent the to barracks where they try to escape the Nazis sever times.
Setting: It helps me visualize how horrible the conditions Jews were put into. It could not take place anywhere else because it can't take place anywhere happy or mid evil or it would throw off the reader.
protagonist: young girl, tall, Jewish, hard working.
Antagonist: older men that work for Hitler.
What I disliked about the book was that too many big events were placed in such a short time it didn't give me a good understanding of what happened.
"Would you be alright, I felt like screaming, if you'd just watched you family taken away, to be murdered. Ill never be alright."
I liked this quote in the book because it helps people visualize more of how Jews were treated poorly.
Theme: Those who believe in what's right shall receive greater in the end be it over or not.
I would recommend this book to people who enjoy history and are interested in events that happened in the past.
Setting: It helps me visualize how horrible the conditions Jews were put into. It could not take place anywhere else because it can't take place anywhere happy or mid evil or it would throw off the reader.
protagonist: young girl, tall, Jewish, hard working.
Antagonist: older men that work for Hitler.
What I disliked about the book was that too many big events were placed in such a short time it didn't give me a good understanding of what happened.
"Would you be alright, I felt like screaming, if you'd just watched you family taken away, to be murdered. Ill never be alright."
I liked this quote in the book because it helps people visualize more of how Jews were treated poorly.
Theme: Those who believe in what's right shall receive greater in the end be it over or not.
I would recommend this book to people who enjoy history and are interested in events that happened in the past.
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