Student Saturday: The Cat With the Yellow Star by Susan Goldman Rubin and ElaWeissberger

Genre: Middle Grade, Biography
Student Reviewer: David P.

This book was cool, finding out about my own country's history even more, that the place where they make good pancakes has had such terrible things happen there. Anyways this takes place in... Czechoslovakia (Now the Czech Republic) in the city Terezín (The place with the good pancakes!) and the main character is Ela with her friends. They are stuck in a camp for the Jewish population built after the nazis invaded us. They are sad, however they find out that the main composer for brundibar is also there, so they decide to have some fun.... Did you really think I was going to tell the entire thing to you? No, you will have to read this book to find out though... Anyways as a Czech myself I really enjoyed this book, so I recommend this to anyone who likes WW2 history or History in general.

 

Student Saturday: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

Genre: Middle Grade, Young Adult Autobiography

Student Reviewer: Sofia D.

 

This book is a remarkable read and I think it is very interesting and informative on the tragic events of the Holocaust. Anne Frank was a girl which such a daring personality and I think she is very clever and independent. This book took place in 1942 and ended in 1944 when she was only 13-15 years old. The diary talks about her thoughts and experiences in hiding in the secret annex which is a covered area behind her dad’s work. The diary also discusses betrayal and tragic loss. I liked how descriptive it was the book painted a picture in my head as I read. If I was in Anne Frank’s place, I would not handle it as well nor, be as intelligent as she was. I think it is a wonderful book, and I recommend it to people interested in historic events and being on that side of events from a personal point of view. 

 

Student Saturday - Odette’s Secrets by Maryann Macdonald

Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction
Student Reviewer: Camilla M.

The book an Odette's Secrets is about a young girl that went through much hardship during the Holocaust. Odette was a yound girl with curly hair. Odette started out as a young girl in Paris. Throughout the story she grew up and moved to the country and eventually back to the city. Madame Marie was her godmother, who played a big part in Odette's life. Madame Marie, her mother, and her father all cared for Odette very much.  Odette was forced to move around to escape the soldiers. She moved to the country where she met great people. Her mother then forced her out of the country to go back to the city. Odette had a hard time finding out who she was and where she belonged. She found that poetry would soothe her mind. I sometimes wonder where I belong. Just like Odette I find things and activities that help me with calming my mind. This book teaches great lessons and exceeds my expectations. I would reccomend this book to someone that likes history and heartfelt books.