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The Girl Who Survived: A True Story of the Holocaust
Bronia helped her family survive during the occupation of Poland by smuggling goods to trade for food. Then Bronia and her sisters were deported to Auschwitz II-Birkenau concentration camp and with courage and the help of strangers Bronia became one of the youngest survivors.
89 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
April 5, 2024
➳ 4 ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚
this was good! it was a quick, interesting read and i enjoyed reading about the author’s story and experience as a young jewish girl during the holocaust.
i would recommend this to anyone looking to read a short, true WWII story and to younger reader’s especially looking for an informing, important read!!
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆
this was good! it was a quick, interesting read and i enjoyed reading about the author’s story and experience as a young jewish girl during the holocaust.
i would recommend this to anyone looking to read a short, true WWII story and to younger reader’s especially looking for an informing, important read!!
୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆
April 29, 2013
"The Girl Who Survived" by Bronia Brandman and Carol Bierman is an amazing true story and is currently my favorite book.I am so thankful to have met Bronia in person and to have been able to hear her story, all thanks to my amazing teacher! This is a summary of the story: Bronia had a wealthy past living in her rich grandfather's large home in the market square of Jaworzno,Poland. Bronia came from a very large family.Her father,Israel, was very handy and ran a hardware store. Her elegant mother,Eda,who loved to dance. Her older sister,Mila,whom Bronia admired dearly and sometimes pestered.Her older brother,Mendek,who was very brave and never complained. Her next oldest brother,Tulek, the troublemaker who she secretly admired as well.Next born was Bronia,then her two younger sisters Rutka and Macia. When World War II began and Adolf Hitler was Leader of Germany his goal was to "exterminate" Jews.He began putting Jews and people of many other ethnicity into concentration camps or forced labor camps. Bronia and her entire family were placed in concentration camps, her mother,father,and Tulek had passed away and Mendek had been passed through various camps. Bronia,Mila,Rutka and Macia were sent to Aushwitz II-Birkenau concentration camp in Poland. Rutka and Macia were sent to the gas chambers along with Bronia,but Bronia managed to slip away to her older sister Mila. Mila died of Typhus and Bronia came up with the sickness too,twice! While she was ill she met a kind woman named Bozenka who took a liking to her. Dr.Mengele was about to send Bronia to the gas chambers but Bozenka urged Bronia to tell him to remove her from the list, and surprisingly, he did! Before the camp was liberated by the Soviet Union there was a death march which Bozenka also helped Bronia through. Bronia was free and came to America and reunited with her brother Mendek,who also survived, and her cousin Simon. Bronia had children and Grandchildren and till today lives in Brooklyn. Bronia was a teacher and even now that she has retired she still continues to tell her amazing story to many. She encourages many to continue to pass on her story to future generations,I surely will and I hope that you do too.
June 1, 2017
3 1/2 stars
"It is written in the Torah, the scroll of Jewish laws, that if a person saves even one life, it is as if they have saved the entire world. This means that if you save a persons life, and that person goes on to have children, and those children have children and so on, you are responsible for saving all of them. If you had not saved the first person, then the others would not exist. And who knows what wonderful things they might achieve in their lifetimes, such as a cure for cancer or the end to hunger."
️she ends with the following chapter YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
"This is the end of my story, but not the end of story of the holocaust. Today there are many people who say that the Holocaust did not happen. They believe that the Jews just want the rest of the world to feel sorry for them and for Israel. But the Holocaust did happen. I remember exactly what took place. I have the number on my arm that places me in Auschwitz during those terrible years. I remember smuggling food into the ghetto to try to save my family from starvation. And I remember how frightened I was as a nine year old who had no choice but to put her life on the line to save others. Holocaust deniers can deny whatever they want, but I was there, and except Mendek (*her brother*), my whole family was wiped out.
Stories have a moral or lesson. It is your job to learn the story of the Holocaust and tell it to others. Remember what took place and help others see that the world must not allow it to happen again. We must be humane in our dealings with others. To be kind and caring toward one another who are at risk. To save one life is as if you have saved the whole world. That must be your goal."
This story was actually one of my favorite Jewish accounts from someone who lived at a young age and not only survived the Holocaust but freaking Auschwitz! WOW!! If you know your WWII concentration/labor/work camps you should know Auschwitz and Auschwitz II-Birkanau were THE worst ones you could get and if you were liberated, you were DEFINITELY one of the lucky ones! Bronia had even described (enough for kids to not get freaked out too much) what it was like for her and how she left her little sisters alone and to their deaths when she slipped from her line to her older sister. And yet she blamed herself for her two little sisters deaths even though she couldn't have known they were in a line going to their deaths. Also her sister she snuck to ended up getting sick and died and later taken care of by a Jewish girl in the medical bay and even hid little Bronia and carried her during the death march. (Which is related to the first quote about saving a life and comparing to this Jewish girl who did make it a mission to save Bronia).
This story was so touching and definitely from her heart and an AMAZING miracle she survived the worst camp in WWII history. EVEN at a young age!
So a few things/stories she told that made me cringe are as follows (paraphrasing the first story):
*** Ina town where her mother and siblings fled to (one of her uncles homes) on September 4, 1939, on a holiday for the Jews called Rosh Hashanah, German Nazis rounded up Jews and one group was sent to a synagogue. After being locked in, the nazis poured gasoline all around the building, lit the gasoline and burned down the building. The nazis even made sure no one could get away and those men who tried to escape through the windows were shot.
***Bronia and her family survived a few of the Nazi round ups after 2-3 hours until one time they were held longer. Her mother sensed they (her, her mother and father, abs her brother Tulek weren't so lucky getting to their hiding spots unlike her sisters who did manage to hide) weren't leaving this time. So she told her daughter to run rather than see her taken or die in front of her. Instead of going home in risking hers and her sisters lives, she went to a nearby farm with a couple who was a friend of the family and later went back home to her sisters. From then on they were on their own until they were taken to Auschwitz not far from where they were staying.
***She and her sisters ended up in Auschwitz and only Bronia survived with the help of another Jewish girl named Bozenka. She also explained what it I was like in the "Death March" and gave the following:
"the death march from auschwitz, which departed on January 18, 1945, began with 66,000 Inmates. They abandoned Auschwitz just nine days before the Soviet Red Army liberated the camp on the 27th (same month). The soviets found only 7,000 sick prisoners in the camp, who had been left to die of starvation. Later it was discovered that approx. 1.1 million Jews died at Auschwitz, as well as tens of thousands of other people...."
the march took nearly 35 miles to the next town and along the way, more than 15,000 died.
I also have had this book a some other holocaust children's/elementary age books like this from book orders years ago, and so glad I was old enough to finally read this and truly see the horrors of what one man can start and allow. And for those survivors especially I can't imagine what happened or fathom the horrors they personally went through. So it's definitely important to learn and teach and share these stories so it doesn't happen again. If so, I say at least show kindness to others when possible, serve someone or whatever. But these stories are so important and interesting to see how each of these people not just those in the camps but also those who risked their lives to hide Jews throughout the war. Even if they didn't succeed and died for it but they did enough and tried the best they could. This is a must read and really great story of one little girls way of surviving.
"It is written in the Torah, the scroll of Jewish laws, that if a person saves even one life, it is as if they have saved the entire world. This means that if you save a persons life, and that person goes on to have children, and those children have children and so on, you are responsible for saving all of them. If you had not saved the first person, then the others would not exist. And who knows what wonderful things they might achieve in their lifetimes, such as a cure for cancer or the end to hunger."
️she ends with the following chapter YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
"This is the end of my story, but not the end of story of the holocaust. Today there are many people who say that the Holocaust did not happen. They believe that the Jews just want the rest of the world to feel sorry for them and for Israel. But the Holocaust did happen. I remember exactly what took place. I have the number on my arm that places me in Auschwitz during those terrible years. I remember smuggling food into the ghetto to try to save my family from starvation. And I remember how frightened I was as a nine year old who had no choice but to put her life on the line to save others. Holocaust deniers can deny whatever they want, but I was there, and except Mendek (*her brother*), my whole family was wiped out.
Stories have a moral or lesson. It is your job to learn the story of the Holocaust and tell it to others. Remember what took place and help others see that the world must not allow it to happen again. We must be humane in our dealings with others. To be kind and caring toward one another who are at risk. To save one life is as if you have saved the whole world. That must be your goal."
This story was actually one of my favorite Jewish accounts from someone who lived at a young age and not only survived the Holocaust but freaking Auschwitz! WOW!! If you know your WWII concentration/labor/work camps you should know Auschwitz and Auschwitz II-Birkanau were THE worst ones you could get and if you were liberated, you were DEFINITELY one of the lucky ones! Bronia had even described (enough for kids to not get freaked out too much) what it was like for her and how she left her little sisters alone and to their deaths when she slipped from her line to her older sister. And yet she blamed herself for her two little sisters deaths even though she couldn't have known they were in a line going to their deaths. Also her sister she snuck to ended up getting sick and died and later taken care of by a Jewish girl in the medical bay and even hid little Bronia and carried her during the death march. (Which is related to the first quote about saving a life and comparing to this Jewish girl who did make it a mission to save Bronia).
This story was so touching and definitely from her heart and an AMAZING miracle she survived the worst camp in WWII history. EVEN at a young age!
So a few things/stories she told that made me cringe are as follows (paraphrasing the first story):
*** Ina town where her mother and siblings fled to (one of her uncles homes) on September 4, 1939, on a holiday for the Jews called Rosh Hashanah, German Nazis rounded up Jews and one group was sent to a synagogue. After being locked in, the nazis poured gasoline all around the building, lit the gasoline and burned down the building. The nazis even made sure no one could get away and those men who tried to escape through the windows were shot.
***Bronia and her family survived a few of the Nazi round ups after 2-3 hours until one time they were held longer. Her mother sensed they (her, her mother and father, abs her brother Tulek weren't so lucky getting to their hiding spots unlike her sisters who did manage to hide) weren't leaving this time. So she told her daughter to run rather than see her taken or die in front of her. Instead of going home in risking hers and her sisters lives, she went to a nearby farm with a couple who was a friend of the family and later went back home to her sisters. From then on they were on their own until they were taken to Auschwitz not far from where they were staying.
***She and her sisters ended up in Auschwitz and only Bronia survived with the help of another Jewish girl named Bozenka. She also explained what it I was like in the "Death March" and gave the following:
"the death march from auschwitz, which departed on January 18, 1945, began with 66,000 Inmates. They abandoned Auschwitz just nine days before the Soviet Red Army liberated the camp on the 27th (same month). The soviets found only 7,000 sick prisoners in the camp, who had been left to die of starvation. Later it was discovered that approx. 1.1 million Jews died at Auschwitz, as well as tens of thousands of other people...."
the march took nearly 35 miles to the next town and along the way, more than 15,000 died.
I also have had this book a some other holocaust children's/elementary age books like this from book orders years ago, and so glad I was old enough to finally read this and truly see the horrors of what one man can start and allow. And for those survivors especially I can't imagine what happened or fathom the horrors they personally went through. So it's definitely important to learn and teach and share these stories so it doesn't happen again. If so, I say at least show kindness to others when possible, serve someone or whatever. But these stories are so important and interesting to see how each of these people not just those in the camps but also those who risked their lives to hide Jews throughout the war. Even if they didn't succeed and died for it but they did enough and tried the best they could. This is a must read and really great story of one little girls way of surviving.
June 26, 2012
Having just read "Auschwitz" by Dr. Miklos Nysisazli, I took notice when I read that 12-year-old Bronia Brandman came face to face with Dr. Josef Mengale, the Auschwitz physican who performed human experiements and who determined who arriving in the camps would survive or go to the gas chambers. She even spoke to him directly, which was unheard of, asking to be taken off the list of people being sent to the gas chambers. She never told of her experiences, even to her husband and children, for 50 years because of the pain. What really got her talking was meeting a stranger on the subway who commented on the numbers tatooed on her arm and asked, "So, you mean this really happened?" He told her he lived in an apartment complex where someone kept saying the Holocaust never happened. That's when she told him her story--right on the subway. This opened the way for her to give lectures to many groups and to write it all down. This book, published by Scholastic, should be read by every sixth grader.
April 3, 2013
Amazing true story of a Jewish girl who survived the Holocaust during WW2. She survived a ghetto and the Auschwitz ll-Birkenau concentration camp. She was just so lucky. And she had to make the hard decisions of leaving her siblings behind to die to save herself. One reason she survived was because there was an inmate (I think that was a person at a concentration camp who was treated a little better so that they could watch over the other prisoners) woman named Bozenka who took great care and risk to make sure Bronia (the main character girl) was not killed. Even after the camp that Bozenka and Bronia were both eventually at was liberated, this caring woman took Bronia into her home to care for her since she had nowhere else to stay, not knowing if anyone in her family had survived or not. A fast but moving read. I like reading books about the Holocaust. This girl's story (the author being herself) is just a miracle. I'm glad she took the time to eventually write it down so that the world could know of the wonderful and terrible things she went through.
April 28, 2015
**SPOILER** The Girl Who Survived
The Girl Who Survived is a book about the Holocaust; the main character is Bronia. I think the lesson in this book is to never give up. I think that the topic of the Holocaust is very sad. I love that Bronia explained her life before the Holocaust. It gave me a perspective on how the Jewish people lived before the Holocaust. The lesson was very clear and helpful to me, one part in the book that surprised me, was that Bronia was sent to a concentration camp and soon found that she was to be sent to the gas chambers. She left her two little sisters and sneaked into the other line. A woman helped Bronia survive through the rough times. The woman convinced one of the soldiers to take her number and Bronia’s number off of his and all the other soldiers’ lists. I did have knowledge about the Holocaust before I read this book, but after reading this book it gave me a better understanding on the subject. It helped me understand how fast a person’s life can change including your own. I think my favorite part of this book was when Bronia found out that her brother was alive. I really did like this book, the reason why is it was sad, very sad, but also has a good ending for the girl who survived. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the Holocaust subject, because it was an amazingly well written book.
The Girl Who Survived is a book about the Holocaust; the main character is Bronia. I think the lesson in this book is to never give up. I think that the topic of the Holocaust is very sad. I love that Bronia explained her life before the Holocaust. It gave me a perspective on how the Jewish people lived before the Holocaust. The lesson was very clear and helpful to me, one part in the book that surprised me, was that Bronia was sent to a concentration camp and soon found that she was to be sent to the gas chambers. She left her two little sisters and sneaked into the other line. A woman helped Bronia survive through the rough times. The woman convinced one of the soldiers to take her number and Bronia’s number off of his and all the other soldiers’ lists. I did have knowledge about the Holocaust before I read this book, but after reading this book it gave me a better understanding on the subject. It helped me understand how fast a person’s life can change including your own. I think my favorite part of this book was when Bronia found out that her brother was alive. I really did like this book, the reason why is it was sad, very sad, but also has a good ending for the girl who survived. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the Holocaust subject, because it was an amazingly well written book.
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January 20, 2014Audience: 6-8 grade
Opening: Welcome back to reading class boys and girls, now as you can remember, we've been learning a little about World War 2 and and how Germany was dictated by a man named Hitler. Well today we are going to start reading a autobiography about a young girl named Bronia, who lived during the war and the story of how she survived. Can anyone remind me what an autobiography means? (Wait for response) That's right, a story someone writes about their own life. I'm going to read you a little part of it, "I moved closer to my mom. She looked around the school yard, then down at me, and softly said,"Run." I just stared at her, but she said it again. "Run." It was barely just a whisper, but the intensity in her eyes said Go. Go now!" I want you to realize that Bronia writes about flashbacks! But also I want you to tell me in what person is this story written in (first person, third person, etc) and I will ask you how you know that by giving me an example from what I read. One last thing I want you to focus on is her language. Does she use words you don't know? Why would she do that? Does she explain them after using them? Let's begin her story.
Opening: Welcome back to reading class boys and girls, now as you can remember, we've been learning a little about World War 2 and and how Germany was dictated by a man named Hitler. Well today we are going to start reading a autobiography about a young girl named Bronia, who lived during the war and the story of how she survived. Can anyone remind me what an autobiography means? (Wait for response) That's right, a story someone writes about their own life. I'm going to read you a little part of it, "I moved closer to my mom. She looked around the school yard, then down at me, and softly said,"Run." I just stared at her, but she said it again. "Run." It was barely just a whisper, but the intensity in her eyes said Go. Go now!" I want you to realize that Bronia writes about flashbacks! But also I want you to tell me in what person is this story written in (first person, third person, etc) and I will ask you how you know that by giving me an example from what I read. One last thing I want you to focus on is her language. Does she use words you don't know? Why would she do that? Does she explain them after using them? Let's begin her story.
October 16, 2012
The Girl Who Survived
By Bronia Brandman
89 pages
The Girl Who Survived is a book about a little Jewish girl who lived in Poland during World War II. It talks about how her family was taken from her and how she survived by cheating to escape the gas chambers and to get more food. It talks about a nurse that comes to her aid in Auschwitz and how she lives to tell the tale. It also talks a lot about how she had to smuggle in food to her family.
I did not like this book because it was not very interesting and it didn’t make me want to read more. I am interested in the Holocaust. The part of the Holocaust that I do not like is this entire book. It was super boring. I think it is a touching story but this girl left her two little sisters to the gas chambers, she left her parents to the Nazis and she did nothing while her sister died. It upset me what this girl had done but I understand her decision. It was her only way to survive.
By Bronia Brandman
89 pages
The Girl Who Survived is a book about a little Jewish girl who lived in Poland during World War II. It talks about how her family was taken from her and how she survived by cheating to escape the gas chambers and to get more food. It talks about a nurse that comes to her aid in Auschwitz and how she lives to tell the tale. It also talks a lot about how she had to smuggle in food to her family.
I did not like this book because it was not very interesting and it didn’t make me want to read more. I am interested in the Holocaust. The part of the Holocaust that I do not like is this entire book. It was super boring. I think it is a touching story but this girl left her two little sisters to the gas chambers, she left her parents to the Nazis and she did nothing while her sister died. It upset me what this girl had done but I understand her decision. It was her only way to survive.
July 6, 2014
Stubborn enough to live despite the odds? Brosnia was a privledged Jewish child in Poland when Hitler's Army advanced and changed everything. Brosnia became a food smuggler and outwitted the Germans and Jewish collaborators. Most of her very large family did not survive the war, but Brosnia was one of the youngest survivors of the Auschwitz II-Birkenau concentration camp. How can you not weep for these families lost? Brosnia prefers to think of her children and grandchildren who would not exist if she had not survived. That is the very essence of a survivor, no?
June 2, 2020
You know that one moment when you absolutely love a book that is a true story. A story full of death and loss. And the author had to go through something awful in real life??? And then you feel awful for loving her story that was written from painful memories????
YOU KNOW THAT MOMENT???
Well, this is how I'm feeling. You can tell Bronia is a talented writer. Her story touched my heart.
YOU KNOW THAT MOMENT???
Well, this is how I'm feeling. You can tell Bronia is a talented writer. Her story touched my heart.
February 22, 2019
I was just thinking about this book - I first read it when I was in second grade, I think - and then I found it on the library shelf!
As with all Holocaust books, this makes me so angry. So angry that someone could be evil enough to inflict so much suffering on millions of people, and so angry that some people today don't believe the Holocaust actually happened! IT. DID. You can make up conspiracy theories and speculate all you want but, when it comes down to it, most of the books you'll read about the Holocaust are real people's experiences. And how could you deny that? How could you look someone in the eye and say "No, that horrible, twisted tragic thing that happened to you was not real because I say so."
You can't. You cannot take away someone's experience.
This book is the true story of a girl who was Jewish and lived through the Holocaust. It's awful. It's incredible. And at the end of the day, it's unforgettable. This girl's testament to the world will never be forgotten. Her courage and strength will long inhabit the hearts and minds of everyone who reads about her. I suggest you read her story as well.
As with all Holocaust books, this makes me so angry. So angry that someone could be evil enough to inflict so much suffering on millions of people, and so angry that some people today don't believe the Holocaust actually happened! IT. DID. You can make up conspiracy theories and speculate all you want but, when it comes down to it, most of the books you'll read about the Holocaust are real people's experiences. And how could you deny that? How could you look someone in the eye and say "No, that horrible, twisted tragic thing that happened to you was not real because I say so."
You can't. You cannot take away someone's experience.
This book is the true story of a girl who was Jewish and lived through the Holocaust. It's awful. It's incredible. And at the end of the day, it's unforgettable. This girl's testament to the world will never be forgotten. Her courage and strength will long inhabit the hearts and minds of everyone who reads about her. I suggest you read her story as well.
June 6, 2022
I recently had the honor of hearing Bronia speak via Zoom and my heart just is so grateful for her to share her story. The only way “Never Again” can be a reality is if we acknowledge the past even in its most horrific ways and call out evil and prejudice now when it occurs. Thank you, Bronia. Your story and your family’s life are carried in your words and I will not forget!
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March 1, 2025school book :)
September 25, 2025
I picked up this book at a thrift store at some point in the last few years. Last week Molly, my 12-year-old, stayed home sick from school and had picked it out off of our shelf and read it. She told me I needed to read it too.
It was a good example of telling serious stories in a way that is poignant but geared toward children so it doesn't contain language or gory details.
It was a good example of telling serious stories in a way that is poignant but geared toward children so it doesn't contain language or gory details.
October 5, 2015
Clara Zaborac
B4 English
Bronia Brandman and Carol Bierman writes the book The Girl Who Survived, with the purpose of informing their audience. The book describes an 11 year old girl's point of view in the Holocaust. Bronia, the main character’s story is an eye-opener for readers. It shows that everything in your life can be perfect, but in a split second that could all change. The author Bronia self narrates from her own point of view in the Holocaust. Even though she was young at the time, we understand Bronia emotions and thoughts throughout the book.
One theme that stands out to me in this novel is courage. In the book, the author Bronia says,“I quickly assessed the situation. I somehow understood that one line was going to be killed and the other would live” (Page 48). At that time Bronia was put in the line that was being led to the gas chambers. She was with her younger sisters in the same line. Her older sister Mila in the other line that would live. “In a single moment, I dashed from my line to the line that Mila was on. It didn't occur to me that I was leaving my two younger sisters alone on the the line leading to the gas chamber” (Page 48). Bronia had to quickly build up courage to make this move that she states. Throughout the whole book Bronia had to have courage to handle everything that was happening to her and her family. She had to make quick decisions to keep herself alive.
The book is narrated by Bronia, who is the protagonist and writer of the book. There are short chapters that have their own main point in each one. Bronia also narrates what is currently going on around her at the Auschwitz II-Birkenau concentration camp. She does a great job explaining everything that is happening to her and her family and also what is happening around her as well, without leaving any detail out. I like this way of writing with short chapters all focused on different points. It gives the reader a lot of detail at what's happening to her and her family during the Holocaust.
Overall, I liked the book. I liked how the author shared her personal story about something so tragic. The book was very detailed and held the reader’s attention the whole time. I liked reading Bronia’s point of view on something that is difficult to go through. It was a great book. I give the book four out of five stars.
B4 English
Bronia Brandman and Carol Bierman writes the book The Girl Who Survived, with the purpose of informing their audience. The book describes an 11 year old girl's point of view in the Holocaust. Bronia, the main character’s story is an eye-opener for readers. It shows that everything in your life can be perfect, but in a split second that could all change. The author Bronia self narrates from her own point of view in the Holocaust. Even though she was young at the time, we understand Bronia emotions and thoughts throughout the book.
One theme that stands out to me in this novel is courage. In the book, the author Bronia says,“I quickly assessed the situation. I somehow understood that one line was going to be killed and the other would live” (Page 48). At that time Bronia was put in the line that was being led to the gas chambers. She was with her younger sisters in the same line. Her older sister Mila in the other line that would live. “In a single moment, I dashed from my line to the line that Mila was on. It didn't occur to me that I was leaving my two younger sisters alone on the the line leading to the gas chamber” (Page 48). Bronia had to quickly build up courage to make this move that she states. Throughout the whole book Bronia had to have courage to handle everything that was happening to her and her family. She had to make quick decisions to keep herself alive.
The book is narrated by Bronia, who is the protagonist and writer of the book. There are short chapters that have their own main point in each one. Bronia also narrates what is currently going on around her at the Auschwitz II-Birkenau concentration camp. She does a great job explaining everything that is happening to her and her family and also what is happening around her as well, without leaving any detail out. I like this way of writing with short chapters all focused on different points. It gives the reader a lot of detail at what's happening to her and her family during the Holocaust.
Overall, I liked the book. I liked how the author shared her personal story about something so tragic. The book was very detailed and held the reader’s attention the whole time. I liked reading Bronia’s point of view on something that is difficult to go through. It was a great book. I give the book four out of five stars.
November 15, 2013
The Girl Who Survived
By Bronia Brandman and Carol Bierman
Book review written by Sommer Huntress
Have you ever wanted to know what its was like in the different types of camps the Natizs sent Jews in the 1940s? This book takes you on the adventure of Bronia as she learns how to live on her own with the help of people she meets along the way to freedom. At the beginning of the book it sound like an average family in 1930s. The one big thing that will change Bronia’s family’s life forever is that they were Jews growing up while Hitler was starting to rule the land. The natzis were making it so that the Jews had little food. This made Jewish families have to smuggle food from the black market. Bronia was thought of a very self-confident and because she was also tiny she became the family smuggler. “I had a petite nose, and my hair was dirty blonde.” (pg. 29) These facial features helped Bronia get past the guards because she didn't have the normal Jewish look.
I liked the book but I thought it was a little dull with the writing. I wanted there to be more descriptive words to help the reader really feel what she went through. It was written with more of a childish feel even though the topic wouldn’t be good with children. The story definitely moved me because she was helping her family and making very big decisions at a very young age. I understood that it was a very hard time for Jewish people back then but this book really put a different perspective on it. “She knew that she would never see me again if I ran, or that the soldiers might shoot me right there infront of her if I tried to flee. But she wanted me to take the chance. The chance to live!” (pg. 35) When I read this quote it really sunk in that people were forced wit hthis this decision and the hard time they had going to their death at the camps.
I would give this book a three point five out of five stars because while the book had good meaning I thought that the author didn’t use the right words at points so I felt like it made the book dull. I think that if the author used more descriptive words at the important parts it would pull the reader in more so they would want to find out what happens next and not want to put it down.
By Bronia Brandman and Carol Bierman
Book review written by Sommer Huntress
Have you ever wanted to know what its was like in the different types of camps the Natizs sent Jews in the 1940s? This book takes you on the adventure of Bronia as she learns how to live on her own with the help of people she meets along the way to freedom. At the beginning of the book it sound like an average family in 1930s. The one big thing that will change Bronia’s family’s life forever is that they were Jews growing up while Hitler was starting to rule the land. The natzis were making it so that the Jews had little food. This made Jewish families have to smuggle food from the black market. Bronia was thought of a very self-confident and because she was also tiny she became the family smuggler. “I had a petite nose, and my hair was dirty blonde.” (pg. 29) These facial features helped Bronia get past the guards because she didn't have the normal Jewish look.
I liked the book but I thought it was a little dull with the writing. I wanted there to be more descriptive words to help the reader really feel what she went through. It was written with more of a childish feel even though the topic wouldn’t be good with children. The story definitely moved me because she was helping her family and making very big decisions at a very young age. I understood that it was a very hard time for Jewish people back then but this book really put a different perspective on it. “She knew that she would never see me again if I ran, or that the soldiers might shoot me right there infront of her if I tried to flee. But she wanted me to take the chance. The chance to live!” (pg. 35) When I read this quote it really sunk in that people were forced wit hthis this decision and the hard time they had going to their death at the camps.
I would give this book a three point five out of five stars because while the book had good meaning I thought that the author didn’t use the right words at points so I felt like it made the book dull. I think that if the author used more descriptive words at the important parts it would pull the reader in more so they would want to find out what happens next and not want to put it down.
December 1, 2010
In this book,the author tells us about her child hood. she grows up as a little jewish girl, who was fortunate enough to live in a big house with not only her immediate family, but her extended one as well. She was the youngest in her family and always admired her elders. But then, once the war started breaking out, her perfect little childhood started to crumble. After her parents were taken, she was the one her siblings looked after to find food, because she could pass as a german girl because of her looks. I found this book very intruiging. I've studied about the holocaust a lot, but have never heard a story like this one. I feel that if you are a person interested in learning about what happened to the Jews, this would be a very good story from a very different type of view point. Even though this is a historical piece, teaching us about the life of someone who lived in and through the holocaust, there still is a theme that I feel needs to be shared. After reading ever holocaust story, you know that no matter what happens, you should never take anything for granted. At one point it could be there, and the next it's gone. This particular little girl was only eight years old when she last saw her family together. That's the saddest thing in the world what happened to those Jews.
I feel that the passage that needs to be shared out of this book is the mother's divine love for her little girl. In a part of the book, when the Germans call the Jews out of their houses to line up, the mother knows that they will be taken. What she says to her littlest girl is "Run". When they run, they normally die. But in this case, it saved her life. Running was the only chance she had, and now thanks to that very moment, that little girl is still alive today. That's what I thought was very cool.
I feel that the passage that needs to be shared out of this book is the mother's divine love for her little girl. In a part of the book, when the Germans call the Jews out of their houses to line up, the mother knows that they will be taken. What she says to her littlest girl is "Run". When they run, they normally die. But in this case, it saved her life. Running was the only chance she had, and now thanks to that very moment, that little girl is still alive today. That's what I thought was very cool.
Read
May 24, 2011 This book is about well, exactly what the title says. Creative, huh? Well, Bronia (the girl who survived) and her family was sent to Auschwitz II-Birkenau concentration camp. But I'm going to share what her life was like before they were sent away. She was a very fortunate young girl who lived in a big house, not only with her immediate family, but her extended family as well. She admired her elders very much.
I think the best part of the book was when the Germans were yelling at the Jews to get out of their homes. All of the Jews had to line up in the street and the Germans would take names. Once they were all lined up, Bronia's mother said, "run." Bronia asked, "what? why?" Her mother just kept telling her to run until she did. Usually when a Jew runs away from a German or someone of high power at that time, they were shot right then. But running saved her life. She was able to get away.
She could pass as a little German girl, so she was the smuggler of her family. When she left to get food, she would have to cover up the star on her clothing. She would trade with other people outside of the camp. She would hide everything underneath her coat. She would stay with other families that could hide her.
This was one of my favorite books of all time. I read it within an hour. It was fantastic. It was kind of sad, yeah, but overall it was great. I recommend it to everyone.
I think the best part of the book was when the Germans were yelling at the Jews to get out of their homes. All of the Jews had to line up in the street and the Germans would take names. Once they were all lined up, Bronia's mother said, "run." Bronia asked, "what? why?" Her mother just kept telling her to run until she did. Usually when a Jew runs away from a German or someone of high power at that time, they were shot right then. But running saved her life. She was able to get away.
She could pass as a little German girl, so she was the smuggler of her family. When she left to get food, she would have to cover up the star on her clothing. She would trade with other people outside of the camp. She would hide everything underneath her coat. She would stay with other families that could hide her.
This was one of my favorite books of all time. I read it within an hour. It was fantastic. It was kind of sad, yeah, but overall it was great. I recommend it to everyone.
March 22, 2012
I got 20 copies of this because Scholastic was selling them for $.95 and I'm so glad I did. What a compelling story! Bronia is a captivating narrator. She doesn't preach and she just tells very honestly and directly what her experiences were like during the Holocaust. Hers is a story that will stay with you even after you're done with the book. Middle school kids will like this one because it's a quick read and it gives you a nice balance of storytelling with nonfiction facts about the camps and life during WWII. I highly recommend this one.
March 22, 2011
I found Bronia's story interesting and sad. She tells the story with great emotional distance. I think this would be a good book for a younger adolescent to help them understand the Holocaust without giving them all the horrific details. I am glad that so many survivors are telling their stories.
For middle school students, I recommend The Cage by Ruth Sender or The Anne Frank Diary. For adults interested in Holocaust survival stories, I recommend Primo Levi's Survival in Auschwitz.
For middle school students, I recommend The Cage by Ruth Sender or The Anne Frank Diary. For adults interested in Holocaust survival stories, I recommend Primo Levi's Survival in Auschwitz.
April 10, 2012
I ordered this book from my daughter's Scholastic school book order. I had to read it, though. I think it's a great book for childen to read about the Holocaust, because it's from more of an emotional distance, but still gets the message across. This book will want to make you hold your children and loved ones tight, and never take a moment of family life for granted. Favorite quote: "To save one life is as if you have saved the whole world."
May 16, 2012
My daughter asked me to read this book in case I didn't think she'd be able to handle it. It's a very straightforward telling of a young girl's story. You know it's going to be sad, but I think my 10-year-old can handle it.
Bronia was very fortunate to survive. There are some interesting lessons to be learned about taking risks, and making quick decisions, and how decisions can impact other people.
Bronia was very fortunate to survive. There are some interesting lessons to be learned about taking risks, and making quick decisions, and how decisions can impact other people.
January 14, 2013
This true story, told by one of the youngest survivors of Auschwitz, is of course amazing. The way it was told, however, possessed a very distinct disconnect from emotion. Staccato. Clipped. Just getting it on the pages. I imagine this is as difficult a task as any when telling one's personal horrors. Being a super-quick afternoon read, though, it gives yet one more individual's story of the Holocaust.
December 1, 2014
I rite this book a 4 because it show that if you survival it would be hard to talk about.Also I could she why she never every laugh or cry after she was in the Holocaust.Because you would never forget what happen or how die and how you saw that got killed.Because she saw her to younger sister go to the gas chamber and also her older sister go.Then her Mother and farther and her 2 older brother go and get killed.But the only person how live in her family was her was her oldest brother.
April 29, 2017
Stories about the Holocaust always captivate me. This one is no different. The story of a nine year old Jewish girl along with her trials and tribulations through World War II is so incredibly powerful and touching. Aaron just finished reading this book for his English class and I'm so imoressed that he is being assigned these kinds of stories. We must never forget this horrible time and it must be shared forever.
January 23, 2018
I thought that this book was pretty good although it was pretty short. I would've liked it better if I could have heard more about this girl's experience from the holocaust. Otherwise, it was okay.
This book was about this Jew who got taken to Auschwitz and had a really bad experience. She explained the bad things that the Germans did to her and the things she had to do to help her family. I can't really say more because that would be spoilers.
This book was about this Jew who got taken to Auschwitz and had a really bad experience. She explained the bad things that the Germans did to her and the things she had to do to help her family. I can't really say more because that would be spoilers.
January 8, 2013
Another suggestion from my fourth grader. This is a very matter-of-fact recounting of Bronia's experience in Poland during the German occupation. Her writing is free from emotion and judgement (which I would find incredibly difficult had I survived/witnessed the things she did). Her lack of pathos, however, is perfect for the reading level the book is geared toward.
April 16, 2016
It was good, but definitely written for an upper-elementary/middle school audience. This would be a good book to use when teaching students about the Holocaust because she explains things simply and clearly. Her experiences are similar to what so many endured, but they are truly horrific. It was a very quick read, but memorable.
May 18, 2017
non-fiction
I liked this book a lot other than the fact that it was very drawn out to me and that it almost gave too much information. The book was very descriptive in its words and really explained every key point of the holocaust. I like how the book had a very good Introduction. It talked a lot about the girls life and how she was living her life through the holocaust.
I liked this book a lot other than the fact that it was very drawn out to me and that it almost gave too much information. The book was very descriptive in its words and really explained every key point of the holocaust. I like how the book had a very good Introduction. It talked a lot about the girls life and how she was living her life through the holocaust.
May 30, 2017
This book is a Non-Fiction. It shows how hard it was to live and the stuff they had to do. The book is so descriptive with the wording that he draws you in, You don't want to stop reading. This is a great book to learn about what happened at the time in history. I would recommend the book to people that like History and like to learn new stuff
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