Book review: Irena’s children, young reader’s edition, by Tilar J. Mazzeo, adapted by Mary Cronk Farrell

Farrell, Mary Cronk. Irena’s children: A True Story of Courage. Adapted from the work written by Tilar J. Mazzeo. Young reader’s edition. Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2016. 257 pgs. $17.99. ISBN: 978-1-4814-4991-5. Gr.6+. P7 Q8

On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland. Irena Sendler jumped on her bike and hurried to her work as an administrator in the city’s social welfare office, running soup kitchens and other aide work. This job gave her access to the Jewish people who were being forced into the Warsaw ghetto  after being shipped by railroad from all of Poland. Irene was able to smuggle 2,500 children out of the ghetto, finding homes to hide them. She maintained a list of the children and after the war was able to reunite some of the families.

Verdict: I have a few picture books about Irena Sendler which highlight her life. This story is more much in depth, giving a detailed accounting of her life during this time.

April 2017 review by Carol Bernardi.

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