The Flag With Fifty-six Stars: A Gift from the Survivors of Mauthausen

by Susan Goldman Rubin, Bill Farnsworth

Offers an inspiring story about a group of Mauthausen concentration camp survivors who made a U.S. flag as a token of gratitude for their liberators, the U.S. Army and Colonel Richard Siebel, that was then flown high over the camp as an appreciated symbol of freedom by all.Offers an inspiring story about a group of Mauthausen concentration camp survivors who made a U.S. flag as a token of gratitude for their liberators, the U.S. Army and Colonel Richard Siebel, that was then flown high over the camp as an appreciated symbol of freedom by all.

Genres: Holocaust, History, Nonfiction, Picture Books, World War II, Childrens

Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Susan Goldman Rubin is the author of more than forty-five books for young people, including Andy Warhol: Pop Art Painter; The Yellow House: Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin Side by Side; and Edward Hopper: Painter of Light and Shadow. A long-time instructor in the UCLA Extension Writers Program, Susan Goldman Rubin lives in Malibu, California.

Reviews

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these children’s picture books that have some relationship with the Simon Wiesenthal Center. As with the others I’ve seen, this one mentions which publications are suitable for children in the References list. There are many good resources in the back of the book.

This is an incredible story of how the concentration camp inmates at Mauthasen, starving and in life threatening states, made an American flag as liberation drew close. It doesn’t sound as though Simon Wiesenthal participated in this activity, but he was one of the survivors who was liberated from this concentration camp.

This telling of the story gives some historical information about the Nazis and their concentration camps, the various peoples who were made slaves (and killed/died) at Mauthasen, and how both prisoners and liberators reacted to liberation/the end of the war.

I learned a few things including about this flag, about the details of how Himmler planned to kill everyone before liberation could happen: inmates and townspeople too; it was a horrifying plan which luckily was thwarted.

The illustrations are dark and moody and really fit with the story told.

It’s a wonderful book for showing the strength of the human spirit. The ability of these people to not only survive but also to find a way to do what they did boggles my mind.

[Andrea Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was set in 1945 at a concentration camp named Mauthausen. Those remaining in the camp were eventually rescued by the American troops. A very touching gift was presented to the Americans by the prisoners. Despite their extraordinary inhumane conditions, they found the strength and courage to dig up scraps of fabric and sew together an American flag. The prisoners who made the flag did not know how many states there were in America and so they guessed. The added an extra row of starts which gave the flag 56 stars instead of 48 and thus how the book got it's title.

I have read so many books about WWII over the years and this is a great book for middle level students. There is so much depth in the story and leaves a lot of room for discussion even though there isn't a ton of detailed information. Some kids in middle school might feel that picture books are for younger grades but with this book, in particular, the illustrations really help set the tone.

The last page of the story mentions some conflicting reports on who actually made the flag, whether it was men or women. For me, just knowing it was done by the prisoners was enough to touch my heart. I liked how many references were in the back of the book for additional reads as well as videos, interviews and internet sites where more information on Mauthausen can be found.

I would recommend this book especially for grades 4-8.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this story! Susan Goldman Rubin's The Flag with Fifty-Six Stars: A gift from the Survivors of Mauthausen is beautiful. Mauthausen is one of the most notorious death camps and to read such a wonderful story of survival and hope is awe inspiring. The book begins with a simplistic introduction of how Mauthausen came to be, with quotes from survivors, soldiers and townspeople included. A great list of references and resources is included at the end of the book.



The story of the impending liberation and the creation of the American flag follows. Each page is accompanied by haunting illustrations by Bill Farnsworth. The drawings are so realistic that you'd think that they are photographs.


The story continues with the prisoners covertly creating an American flag using scraps of Nazi banners and prisoner uniforms. The inmates knew the flag had thirteen red and white stripes, but had to guess at the number of stars. The flag had an extra row of stars: fifty-six, instead of the forty-eight. All of this occurred during a time when the camp inmates new the Allies were near. They hoped freedom was imminent. The flag was presented to Colonel Seibel and flown over the camp as it was liberated. The flag is now in the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles, California.

[Lavender911 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's 1945 at a concentration camp named Mauthausen, during World War 2. When the Americans came to rescue the prisoners, they were presented with an extraordinary gift. Despite their desperate and starving conditions, a group of the prisoners had sewed scraps of sheets and jackets together to make a U.S. flag. But they had made a mistake. They had added an extra row, making it 56 stars. But it's still it's amazing that they made it.

I have been reading a lot of nonfiction about World War 2, and I really liked this one because it focused on a small part of World War 2. This book makes me feel like I was on of the suffering prisoners that had been rescued. I wish this book could be a little longer. I feel like they didn't put a lot of information in it. I think it was a good nonfiction picture book.

I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to know more about World War 2 with out having a load of information and anyone who would like to know about history.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This nonfiction, illustrated story takes a huge subject -- the holocaust -- and brings it down to a vivid and unforgettable picture of a single object -- an American flag made by prisoners in the Mauthausen camp in anticipation of and gratitude for their liberation. Plenty of history, background information, names, dates -- but the story of the flag really fixes everything in the mind. Excellent for middle-grade readers on up. A good book to share. Includes notes and recommended additional books.

[Josie Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this book was so sad and hard to read. It is crazy to look back at history and to see what has happened. I could not imagine a person every being like that to so many people. I never knew that there was different colors they had to be sewn to the different people that were captures. Another thing I did not know was the flag that was created at one of the camps and it is still available today to see. World War II

[Kelsie Stafford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great non-fiction book based in a 1945 concentration camp. I think this is a good book for children to introduce them to important historical events. We see the story how the Americans were presented with the American Flag under inhumane conditions. This story shows the faith of American troops and citizens.

[Elizabeth Roibal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book very educational. It gave me a better understanding of the chronological events that occurred during the Holocaust, and it gave me some better insight into cause and effect during this time period. For example, the more prisoners that came in, the less food there was, and the more people starved.

[Haylie Dillard · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Flag With Fifty-Six Stars book hit me hard when I was reading it. The illustrations and writing of the book is the reason why I gave the book 5 stars. Reading the book, I felt like I was putting myself in the shoes of what was really going on and it was hard to hear what really happened during the Holocaust. I highly suggest this book to readers over the age of 12.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provides an excellent introduction to the study of the holocaust for my students. The flag still exists and supports the authenticity of the story. For eighth graders, seeing is believing.

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a powerful story that my children listened to with rapt attention. Beautiful example of what the American flag stands for and why prisoners at one of the worst concentration camps risked their lives to make it.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was especially meaningful as I had the opportunity to visit the Mauthausen Concentration camp this summer.

[Amber]

Yes

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another story I never knew! Incredible story!

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book as a starter for a collection of books illustrated by Bill Farnsworth. LOVE it! I knew nothing about this inspiring story.

[Maddie Ortiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was good and insightful. I also liked a backyard a list of things that they thought would be suitable for children to use to learn more about this topic

[Readersaurus · Rating 4 out of 5]

More an illustrated story than a picture book, it tells a small piece of Holocaust history. The writing is clear and informative, and a note at the back provides further information about Simon Wiesenthal and the work of the Wiesenthal Center in California. Not for younger children. Older children who read this will have questions and will want to read more.

[babyhippoface · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching story of the prisoners freeed from the Mauthausen concentration camp at the end of World War II, and how they wanted to make an American flag to show their appreciation, respect, and honor for the American soldiers who liberated them.

[Kyra Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read many books about the Holocaust. This was a new story for me and it warms my soul to know that at the worst part of their life, these prisoners still wanted to show their appreciation to others.

[Cws]

JAR6OS-Rub American flag made by non-Americans while in a Concentration camp-awesome story

[Donalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspiring retelling of the events surrounding the liberation of Mauthausen, one of the worst Nazi concentration camps.

[Cheyenne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was a little difficult to follow.

[Books Kids Like · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story about the survivors of Mauthausen concentration camp.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrated, quick read focused on one camp. Informative, yet easy, super fast read.

[Rani · Rating 5 out of 5]

When US Army arrived at the Mauthausen concentration camp, they received an extraordinary gift . A flag made with 56 stars. #BravePeople #Holocaust story. Precious flag, priceless #freedom.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for this amazing piece of history

[Kelly Shiverdecker]

Published: 2005

This historical fiction book is about a time period during the Holocaust where there are many struggles and it talks about the concentration camps and hard times. There was a gift that was made, which was the American Flag, but it had 56 stars, but through it all, they still hung it up because of what the flag really represented.