3 comments about Searching for Anne Frank: Letters From Amsterdam to Iowa.

1. I would rate this book higher than 5 Stars if I could! This is an amazing book. Every young person and every person for that matter should see these photographs and read the text together with the "Diary of Anne Frank". This is a definitely must see. Congratulations to the author on such an important work. The drums of war were sounding in the background as these young pen pals began their correspondence. Who could have imagined the horrors yet to come? That Anne Frank had a pen pal in the United States and that the letters and photos were preserved is just astounding. Through this book, readers can feel Anne Frank's world and return for just a moment to the days just prior to the Nazi Hell to feel more strongly what was lost. I recommend this book to all and especially for young people learning about the Holocaust in a synagogue or church setting.



2. Published in association with the Simon Wiesenthal Center-Museum of Tolerance Library and Archives, Searching For Anne Frank: Letters From Amsterdam To Iowa by Susan Goldman Rubin surveys the correspondence between Anne Frank and ten-year-old Juanita Wagner of Danville, Iowa. Juanita chose Anne's name off of a list provided by her teacher for a pen-pal experience; each girl was to see a very different view of the horrific events unfolding in World War II. This poignant look at the brief correspondence between two young girls, filled with black-and-white and color photographs, offers unique insight into Anne Frank's famous Diary, and is a highly recommended addition to personal, academic, and community library 20th Century Biography collections and Holocaust Studies reading lists.



3. This would make a perfect addition to every middle school library as the history in letters and pictures is simply spectacular. It is a lovely book about three girls and their families during a devastating time of war abroad and the Haloucast. One girl is famous because of the diary, given to her on her thirteenth birthday, a red plaid, on June 12, 1942, which survived long after she died in a concentration camp.
   
   I became interested in Annelies Marie Frank in 1956 when a call went out all over the United States for a look-alike to portray her in the movie. They wanted an unknown, so (foolish me) sent in my picture full lenght with shorts and barefoot. Though I looked something like her in the face, I guess they didn't want a 'Southern' accent on a Dutch girl. Millie Perkins, a model, won out over all of us commoners, though I did receive a letter from Twentieth Century Fox -- don't remember who signed it. I got rid of all my movie memorbilia twenty years ago. Lots of movie posters given to me by an usher at the Tennessee Theater and autographed glossy 8X10s ended up in the garbage can!
   
   The 1959 movie won three Oscars. By then, I was a married woman. I did have a penpal in Sabadell, Spain outside of Barcelona, though he was an older factory worker, not a young girl.
   
   Two Iowa sisters, Betty and Juanita, in Danville were given Anne's address in Amsterdam by a teacher. My picture was in Your Hit Parade magazine and Carlos' borther saw it and wrote to me first, to Kingsville, Texas, but it found its way back to Knoxville, Tennessee! Amazing. Now you can't get a Priority Mail to a few miles, from one post office in town to someone who works in downtown.
   
   Anne attended a Montessori school in 1941 and led a privileged life. We in America did not live so well. Her diary was published in Dutch as THE ANNEX in 1947, and in English, THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK in 1952.
   
   This book in textbook binding was published in association with the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles, California. It is a keepsake for any girl (or woman who lived through those times).

2 comments about An Orphan Has Many Parents.

1. Friedland, especially, is very very sensitive and an excellent writer. Shows that being an orphan is necessarily a hardship. Can be an advantage. He is a modern hero.



2. Phil Craft's mother died giving birth to him. Rejected outright by his father, he immediately was placed in a foundling home, where, according to his own words, he was "terrorized" for five years, the very first five years of his life! He then was transferred to an orphange, where he thought he was being sent to die. Little did he know then that the orphange would save his life instead. It was the Pride of Judea Children's Home in Brooklyn, New York. He would emerge from that Home thirteen years later, a stronger human being, ready to get on with the rest of his life. PeeWee Friedland and his older brother, Bernie, were stuck in an abusive foster home for three and one half years. Finallt, they could take it no longer and they ran away. Where to next? It was a despondent time. One more bad placement, Pee Wee thought, and he'd be a wreck for life. But good fortune smiled upon them. They were placed in the same orphanage as Phil, the Pride of Judea. Peewee Friedland would be helped immeasurably by the place and his life would be turned around. Just what kind of orphanage was the Pride of Judea and who were these surrogate parent figures who helped these orphans so much? This book, written by Messrs. Craft and Friedland, is a fascinating memoir of this orphanage, complete with its entire scene, its colorful cast of characters, and a full description of the wonderful people who staffed it. In fact, three of the main four adult figures, (all still alive) give their own first hand account of their experiences in the orphanage. The result is a poignant and moving memoir of two kids initially thrown on the scrap heap, only to be resurrected by a unique institution staffed by caring adults. Another related theme is raised, starting with a powerful foreword to the book by Father Val J. Peter, the Executive Director of the most well known orphanage in the world, Boys'Town. The theme, further elaborated on by the authors in an excellent final chapter, strongly recommends that small quality orphanages can definitely meet the needs of many of the three quarter million children who are shuttled through foster care today in this country with very poor results. These small orphanages would serve their needs far better and should be considered as strong options to the one track system of foster care. This book is an excellent read, and as one review put it, "a remarkable memoir, both moving and entertaining."

1 comments about Starting over: Using Torah and the Twelve Steps of Recovery to Find Happiness.

1. Mrs. Schloss navigates through the hectic lifestyle of modern America using 2 simple and time-tested tools: Torah and the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. The character weakness of co-dependency is examined. The author shows that Torah and Twelve Steps are not only compatible, but useful together. She then uses these tools to give instruction to the modern Jew on what can seem an overwhelming task: starting over and moving forward, one day at a time, in harmony with Jewish values.

No comments about Who We Are: On Being (and Not Being) a Jewish American Writer.

3 comments about Herod the Great (Ancient Biographies , No 1).

1. This short book gives a quick biography of one of history's "villains", Herod the Great, Kind of Judea. Beginning with his father, Antipater, an Idumaean Arab, the book examines Herod's rise to power and his machinations to stay in power. This book is very interesting, even for adult readers, and I especially liked the many pictures. Overall, I found this to be a very good introduction to the life of Herod the Great.



2. I read this book when it first came out. I have been holding back reviewing this book at Amazon, awaiting word from the publishing company, but nothing has arrived. I indicated something very important was missing from the timeline that was emphasized in the book and was an important event in history. Let us see if you, careful reader, might find it lacking:
   Page 59 TIMELINE:
   134-104 B.C. John Hyrcanus rules as Hasmonean King and high priest; Jews conquer Edom
   
   76 B.C. Hasmonean King Alexander Jannaeus dies, sons wage civil war for power in Judea
   
   c. 74 B.C. Herod born
   
   63 B.C. Roman general Pompey enters Jerusalem, ends Judean civil war
   
   48 B.C. Caesar defeats Pompey at Pharsalus; Pompey murdered in Egypt
   
   47 B.C. Herod appointed governor of Galilee by his father, Antipater
   
   44 B.C. Julius Caesar assassinated
   
   43 B.C. Antipater assassinated, Herod becomes governor of Judea
   
   41 B.C. Herod allies himself with Marc Antony
   
   40 B.C. Parthians invade Syria; Herod flees to Masada with family
   
   39 B.C. Roman Senate appoints Herod King of Judea; Herod drives Antigonus out of Judea, enters Jerusalem
   
   31 B.C. Octavius defeats Antony at Actium, then confirms Herod's rule of Judea
   
   27 B.C Herod conducts Actian Games in honor of Octavius's victory over Antony; Octavius declares himself Augustus Caesar, first Roman emperor
   
   25 B.C. Drought in Judea; Herod collects money to buy grain from Egypt
   
   25-13 B.C. Herod oversees building of Caesarea, Sebaste, fortresses, theaters, and other public buildings
   
   19 B.C. Reconstruction of Temple of Jerusalem begins
   
   12 B.C. Herod brings accusations against his sons, Alexander and Aristobulus, before Roman court; Augustus (Octavius) dismisses charges
   
   7 B.C. Alexander and Aristobulus found guilty of treason by Judean judges and executed
   
   6 B.C. Herod becomes ill
   
   4 B.C. Herod orders the death of his son Antipater; Herod dies five days later
   
   A.D. 6 Judea becomes a Roman province.
   
   Where is THE SLAUGHTER OF THE INNOCENTS?
   ... I questioned the company and as of this date, I still have not had
   a reply.
   Prior to my finding this error, I would consider this book for adult reading as well as children. It
   was well researched, well written. I thought in "time" their would be an
   "errata", but I still wait, and wait, and wait...



3. The book is really a pamphlet. I would have given it a five, except for it's not accepting the historicity of the slaughter of the innocents. Outside of this fact, this is a very concise and good account of Herod. If you are looking for an overview that will not get you bogged down in too much detail then this book is a very good buy. Worth the price and can be read cover to cover in an hour or so.

No comments about Jewish Maxwell Street Stories (IL) (Voices of America).

No comments about Gender and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: The Politics of Women's Resistance (Syracuse Studies on Peace and Conflict Resolution).

5 comments about Jps Guide to Jewish Women: 600 B.C.E. - 1900 C.E. (JPS Desk Reference).

1. This book is perfect for anyone curious about how Jewish women lived in the centuries before the 20th century. It would also be wonderful for a Bat Mitzvah gift or a gift for a college student. While it is encyclopedic in format and content, the fascinating letters, memoirs, stories and photographs of famous, as well as unknown, women bring their successes, trials, and religious life to the reader with great impact. The excellent index lets you follow any topic over the centuries, and the copious notes answer the ever-present question: where did the authors discover that gem? It is a fantastic value.



2. The JPS Guide to Jewish Women is a welcome addition to the study of women in Judaism. It is a well-researched and scholarly book. The information is arranged chronologically and geographically and is easily accessed. This book is very readable and would be an excellent text for senior high-school or university.



3. This book was expeertly researched and beautifully written. The introduction to each era was especially informative. Though conceived as a reference book, it was so interesting that it was hard to put down.



4. This wonderful new book fills a gap. It enables readers to put themselves into the many different worlds Jewish women occupied over time and compare our lives today to those lived in times past. I highly recommend it as a good read and a fabulous reference book.



5. A comprehensive view of Jewish women throughout history. I just completed a somewhat detailed course The History of Islam, and found the chapters - The Jewish Women Under Islam: The Near East, North Africa, and Spain; and A Different Voice: Jewish Women in the Lands of Islam particlarly informative. They covered aspects not covered in my course.
   The entire book is scholarly, yet easy to read. I enjoyed it and would recommend it highly.

2 comments about Hiding Edith: -a True Story-.

1. This is a beautifully written true story of Edith Schwalb, a Jewish girl from Vienna, and her journey to survival. Her adventure begins in May, 1938, and continues till the end of the war. Her family escapes first to Belgium, and then to the south of France, always trying to keep away from the Nazis. The middle of the war finds Edith being protected in Moissac, France, whose many residents conspire to keep the secret of a school's existence and that of its hundred Jewish children in hiding. Her bravery is remarkable, as is the courage of those who help to save her, such as Shatta and Bouli Simon. The Simons are a young couple who run the safe house in Moissac and teach the children what skills they need to survive. This is an easy-to-read memoir, although it is a sad and touching story. It is told from the point of view of Edith, who matures from a seven-year old girl at the start of the war. Her thoughts and fears are clearly delineated. She is moved to different locations during the war, and finally is re-united with much of her family. Her sister and brother live to survive the war. Photographs of the family, the schools Edith attended, and some historical events illustrate the text, and make it real. The author is a prolific chronicler of Jewish history for children who has won many awards for her writing. For ages 9-12. Reviewed by Shelly Feit



2. Through the story of Edith Schwalb Gelbard, who survived the Holocaust by continually moving and hiding, the reader can relate to the situation in Europe before World War II, the plight of the Jews, the virtue of righteous Gentiles who helped them, and the courage and strength it took to survive the war. Edith was a young girl enjoying life with her family in Vienna in 1938. After the Anschluss, the situation deteriorated quickly, and the Schwalbs were forced to move to Belgium, escaping mostly at night and on foot. Once the Nazis took over there and Edith's father was arrested, the family moved to the "free zone" of France, again seeking safety. By this time, Edith's younger brother, Gaston, was born. They soon learn that Vichy France may be worse than they thought; the government enthusiastically collaborates with the Nazis. Seeing no alternatives, Edith's mother and older sister go to work as maids in non-Jewish homes, and Edith and Gaston are sent to a special school in Moissac, where they meet other children who have been sent there for their protection. Shatta and Bouli Simon administer the school with strict yet loving involvement, and Edith is content as she makes friends. The town's citizens are aware of the school and protect its inhabitants by warning when Nazis come to town. The students go off into the words camping until the danger has passed. But soon it is too dangerous, and Edith is sent to a Catholic school to hide. When that area is bombed, she is placed with a family. As the war ends, she returns to Moissac, and reunites with her mother, sister and brother. Her father died in Auschwitz. Edith now lives in Toronto with her family.
   
   The book is written simply, so the story is not overshadowed by flowery narrative. With this simple retelling, the horror and inhumanity of the Holocaust are portrayed without graphic descriptions of atrocities, and the story of a little girl who must move from country to country and home to home is one to which the average reader can relate. This book is recommended for all libraries. REVIEWED BY KATHE PINCHUCK (BLOOMFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY - BLOOMFIELD, NJ)

No comments about Adolf Eichmann: Executing the Final Solution (Holocaust Heroes and Nazi Criminals).