Liesl’s Ocean Rescue by noted children’s author Barbara Krasner, recounts the story of Liesl Joseph, a 10 year old girl aboard the ill-fated MS St. Louis. On May 13, 1939, together with her parents and 937 other Jewish refugees they left Germany on the MS. St Louis attempting to seek temporary asylum in Cuba.
Accomplished artist Avi Katz has beautifully illustrated this age- appropriate, yet historically accurate story.
Liesl’s Ocean Rescue is a worthy and strong addition to Holocaust literature and curriculum at the elementary school level. An excellent bibliography of supplemental resources will facilitate teaching of a difficult but necessary subject. The poignant and uplifting account should encourage our children to stand up for what they believe is right and to make a positive difference in the livers of those less fortunate”.
—- Dr. Margaret Lincoln, the District Librarian for Lakeview Schools in Battle Creek, Michigan, has served as a Teacher Fellow with the United States Holocaust Museum
“Liesl’s Ocean Rescue offers a glimpse of a sweet and poignant interlude in one of the most shameful episodes in the history of the 20th Century. The book is suitable - and necessary - reading both for children and their parents.”
— Martin Goldsmith, author of Alex’s Wake: A Voyage of Betrayal and a Journey of Remembrance
Review
Liesl's Ocean Rescue is a excellent child's book about a very difficult time in our history. Liesl's is a young Jewish girl in Germany during WWII. This was a very sad and difficult time for anyone of the Jewish faith. The story tells of her experiences and fear while living in Germany. The struggles her family endured to ensure they would be safe and free. How the journey aboard the MS St. Louis changed her life forever.
I read the book to Davey & Isa. The book was a great opportunity for me to explain the sorrows of the Jewish faith during WWII. It also opened up conversation on the importance of the right to religion and the importance of our democrat system.
I give this book Five Stars. I found it a very positive way to approach a very difficult time in our history.
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About the Author
Barbara Krasner is a historian and professor of creative writing. She publishes the popular blog, The Whole Megillah: The Writer's Resource for Jewish-Themed Story. She runs workshops and conferences for Jewish writers at the Highlights Foundation and in conjunction with the Association of Jewish Libraries. Barbara has a B.A. in German from Douglass College, an M.B.A. in Marketing from the Rutgers Business School and an M.F.A. in Writing for Children & Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is a candidate for the M.A. in Applied Historical Studies at William Paterson University.Illustrator Avi Katz was born in Philadelphia where he studied in the Schechter and Akiba schools as well as the Fleischer Art Memorial. After three years at U.C. Berkeley he moved to Israel at age 20, where he graduated in Fine Arts from the Bezalel Art Academy. He was the staff artist of the Jerusalem Report Magazine from its first issue in 1990 until 2012, and is active in the international Cartooning for Peace program. He has illustrated over 160 books in Israel and the U.S. including the National Jewish Book Award winning JPS Illustrated Children's Bible. His books have also won the IBBY Hans Christian Andersen Honors four times and Israel's Zeev Prize six times. His art has been exhibited in Israel, America and Europe.
Sounds like a gripping read. I will have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteI think this is such a great way to learn history and enjoy reading.
ReplyDeleteAnother friend just wrote a review on this book and also gave it a thumbs up. Sounds like a really great read - thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a very good book and one that would help explain how things were during WWII. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI think I will let my 13 year old read this they have toucheed WWll a little in school
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting book. I'll keep it in mind for when my son gets older and starts learning more about history.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading books like this when I was a kid. Anything about history and WWII was fascinating to me.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great read, I would so use this in our homeschooling. Great history resource.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great way to have tween/teens learn about the Holocaust. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeletewhat a fabulous book. I love reading and enjoy learning so when the two collide it's pure bliss.
ReplyDeleteI used to love historical fiction and WWII stories. I will be interested in this one.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it handled the topic deftly. It sounds like it needs to be on my bookshelf.
ReplyDeleteThat's great that it accounts the facts. I always found these types of books helped me remember history better than just a history book.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like such a wonderful book! Definitely one that all of my kids would equally enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI have not heard of this title. Will be putting it onmy 2015 reading list
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book. I am an avid reader and am always interested in new types of books and genres. I will have to check this one out.
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