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A Hero and the Holocaust: The Story of Janusz Korczak and His Children
A brief biography of the Polish doctor, author, founder of orphanages, and promoter of children's rights explains how he lost his life trying to protect his orphans from the Nazis.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 15, 2002
About the author
David A. Adler
411 books208 followersDavid Abraham Adler is an American children's author. He was born in New York City, New York in 1947. He graduated from Queens College in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in economics and education. For the next nine years, he worked as a mathematics teacher for the New York City Board of Education, while taking classes towards a master's degree in marketing, a degree he was awarded by New York University in 1971. In that same year, a question from his then-three-year-old nephew inspired Adler to write his first story, A Little at a Time, subsequently published by Random House in 1976. Adler's next project, a series of math books, drew on his experience as a math teacher. In 1977, he created his most famous character, Cam Jansen, originally featured in Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds, which was published that year.
Adler married psychologist Renee Hamada in 1973, and their first child, Michael, was born in 1977. By that time Adler had taken a break from teaching and, while his wife continued her work, he stayed home, took care of Michael, and began a full-time writing career.
Adler's son, Michael S. Adler, is now the co-author of several books with his father, including A Picture Book of Sam Adams, A Picture Book of John Hancock, and A Picture Book of James and Dolly Madison. Another son, Edward, was the inspiration for Adler's Andy Russell series, with the events described in the series loosely based on adventures the Adler family had with Edward's enthusiasm and his pets.
As of November 2008, Adler has three sons and two grandsons. He lives in Woodmere, New York.
(source: Wikipedia)
Adler married psychologist Renee Hamada in 1973, and their first child, Michael, was born in 1977. By that time Adler had taken a break from teaching and, while his wife continued her work, he stayed home, took care of Michael, and began a full-time writing career.
Adler's son, Michael S. Adler, is now the co-author of several books with his father, including A Picture Book of Sam Adams, A Picture Book of John Hancock, and A Picture Book of James and Dolly Madison. Another son, Edward, was the inspiration for Adler's Andy Russell series, with the events described in the series loosely based on adventures the Adler family had with Edward's enthusiasm and his pets.
As of November 2008, Adler has three sons and two grandsons. He lives in Woodmere, New York.
(source: Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 21, 2010
The man (who went knowingly to death with the children from his orphanage) is worth so much more than 5 stars. I liked that this telling of the story spent some time discussing his youth; most accounts I’ve read about him tend to start relatively few years before his murder. He was a very interesting child and man and it was refreshing to read some details of his life other than his final heroic act.
The illustrations are appropriately dark hued and beautifully done.
This biography and history picture book for children tells the story of this hero well, but for readers who’ve never heard of the Holocaust, I can imagine them asking lots of questions, such as why did he go with the children to the death camp instead of trying to save them all. Some other introduction to the Holocaust might be better.
The illustrations are appropriately dark hued and beautifully done.
This biography and history picture book for children tells the story of this hero well, but for readers who’ve never heard of the Holocaust, I can imagine them asking lots of questions, such as why did he go with the children to the death camp instead of trying to save them all. Some other introduction to the Holocaust might be better.
November 7, 2009
Summary:
In this narrative non-fiction text, readers are introduced to a somewhat unknown hero of World War II, Henryk Goldszmit (later changed to pen name Janusz Korczak). As a young boy he grew up in beautiful Warsaw Poland, living a fairly lavish lifestyle until his father was placed in a mental institution and died shortly after. With this sudden loss and impoverished state Korczak began to write very dark, sad stories and poems expressing his feelings. He continued writing and eventually went to the University of Warsaw to study medicine. Not long after he became the director of a new Jewish orphan's home, where he loved and was loved by all the children! He also wrote books and had a redio program that made him famous throughout Poland, winning awards such as The Golden Laurel. In the early 1930's Nazi troops invaded Warsaw, forcing all the Jewish citizens into the barbed wire Warsaw Ghetto. To help ease the scariness of this experience for the children, Korczak turned the march into somewhat of a "parade," as they carried a green flag (from one of his stories) and sang songs as they entered the ghetto. Through the starvation and disease Korczak continued to care for these children. Word spread that they were all to be taken on trains to Treblinka. Although there are reports that at the very last minute a Nazi commander recognized the famous Korczak, offering to let him go free, Korczak refused to leave his children. He died at Treblinka, writing his final words, "I never wish anyone ill. I cannot. I don't know how it is done."
In this narrative non-fiction text, readers are introduced to a somewhat unknown hero of World War II, Henryk Goldszmit (later changed to pen name Janusz Korczak). As a young boy he grew up in beautiful Warsaw Poland, living a fairly lavish lifestyle until his father was placed in a mental institution and died shortly after. With this sudden loss and impoverished state Korczak began to write very dark, sad stories and poems expressing his feelings. He continued writing and eventually went to the University of Warsaw to study medicine. Not long after he became the director of a new Jewish orphan's home, where he loved and was loved by all the children! He also wrote books and had a redio program that made him famous throughout Poland, winning awards such as The Golden Laurel. In the early 1930's Nazi troops invaded Warsaw, forcing all the Jewish citizens into the barbed wire Warsaw Ghetto. To help ease the scariness of this experience for the children, Korczak turned the march into somewhat of a "parade," as they carried a green flag (from one of his stories) and sang songs as they entered the ghetto. Through the starvation and disease Korczak continued to care for these children. Word spread that they were all to be taken on trains to Treblinka. Although there are reports that at the very last minute a Nazi commander recognized the famous Korczak, offering to let him go free, Korczak refused to leave his children. He died at Treblinka, writing his final words, "I never wish anyone ill. I cannot. I don't know how it is done."
March 19, 2015
I have recently discovered picture-book-biographies. The elementary I volunteer at has a strong collection. This one needed to be longer and more coherent for kiddos, but the story itself is strong. A young boy grows up in Poland and uses his love of stories and children to open an orphanage...at a terrible time for children, the years before WWII. Janusz Korczak is a hero.
He stays with his beloved children when Warsaw is cut off from the rest of Poland. He stays when the Warsaw Ghetto grows smaller and smaller, more and more desperate. He stays with his children. He tells them stories, he comforts them.
Then the Ghetto is emptied. He marches with his children, singing, on their way to the trains. He marches into Triblinka with his children. He never returns.
A strong story told with beautiful, moving illustrations, focusing on faces...faces of children. Faces of the babies Korczak tried to save, and could not.
He stays with his beloved children when Warsaw is cut off from the rest of Poland. He stays when the Warsaw Ghetto grows smaller and smaller, more and more desperate. He stays with his children. He tells them stories, he comforts them.
Then the Ghetto is emptied. He marches with his children, singing, on their way to the trains. He marches into Triblinka with his children. He never returns.
A strong story told with beautiful, moving illustrations, focusing on faces...faces of children. Faces of the babies Korczak tried to save, and could not.
November 23, 2018
Reading Level: 4.3
Book Summary: This book discusses the work and life of Janusz Korczak both before the Holocaust as a doctor at an orphanage and during the Holocaust trying to protect the orphans from the Nazi movement.
Bookshelf Genre: Multicultural Literature
Characteristics that Support the genre: This book discusses the life of Janusz Korczak and the orphan children he took care of during the Holocaust. This book shows the struggles the Jewish people went through during the Holocaust and is important for people to remember.
Bookshelf Mentor Writing Traits:
Organization: The author presents the life of Janusz Korczak starting from the time he was born until the time he passed away at the Treblinka concentration camp.
Presentation: The illustrations showed the struggles Janusz Korczak went through. They also show how he provided for the orphans prior to and during the Holocaust.
Classroom integration: The Holocaust has always interested me. I have been to the Holocaust museum in Washington D.C. and someday hope to make it overseas to see the museums there. The Holocaust museum in Washington D.C. was very moving to see all of the stories of the Jews. This is a very big part of world history that students should continue to learn about. I would use this book as part of a World War II or Holocaust unit for older elementary students.
Book Summary: This book discusses the work and life of Janusz Korczak both before the Holocaust as a doctor at an orphanage and during the Holocaust trying to protect the orphans from the Nazi movement.
Bookshelf Genre: Multicultural Literature
Characteristics that Support the genre: This book discusses the life of Janusz Korczak and the orphan children he took care of during the Holocaust. This book shows the struggles the Jewish people went through during the Holocaust and is important for people to remember.
Bookshelf Mentor Writing Traits:
Organization: The author presents the life of Janusz Korczak starting from the time he was born until the time he passed away at the Treblinka concentration camp.
Presentation: The illustrations showed the struggles Janusz Korczak went through. They also show how he provided for the orphans prior to and during the Holocaust.
Classroom integration: The Holocaust has always interested me. I have been to the Holocaust museum in Washington D.C. and someday hope to make it overseas to see the museums there. The Holocaust museum in Washington D.C. was very moving to see all of the stories of the Jews. This is a very big part of world history that students should continue to learn about. I would use this book as part of a World War II or Holocaust unit for older elementary students.
January 31, 2023
I don’t normally review/rate my Social Studies books but I was tremendously blessed with this one. Be like Janusz. Love unconditionally- even if it is in the worst of circumstances. Teach with care. Love the souls of your students/children. Care care care.
February 3, 2020
Really moving story and inspirational man. I’ve already been doing more research to learn more about him and the lives he touched.
March 1, 2022
Well written book. Very informative. The story of Janusz Korczak is always heart breaking.
July 24, 2023
What a heartbreaking story! The illustrations of Bill Farnsworth are wonderful. This is another book I bought for my Bill Farnsworth collection.
December 31, 2023
Okay story. Could have been more fleshed out, instead of just a brief summary of what was an incredible life.
Read
April 16, 2024This is a children's book about Janusz' orphanage. A quick read, but inspiring and sad.
May 8, 2015
Ages 8+
I liked this book and hated it at the same time. It was heartbreaking. I had never heard of Janusz Korczak, so I had no idea what to expect from the book. From looking at the cover and reading the title, I expected that Janusz would save children from the death camps. Sadly, that is not what happened. This book was really well-written and focused on all the good things that he did prior to the end of his life. He started an orphanage in Poland and children adored him. He was also a doctor, an author, a radio personality, and a teacher. Sadly though, he died along with the children of his orphanage, in the Nazi camp Treblinka.
This is a pretty intense story. I would not want to read it to kids before they were ready, so I would not read this until we had done some studying about what happened during the Holocaust. Although the age for this book is 8 and up, I think I would probably save it until 5th grade, at the earliest. The dedication at the beginning of this book is, "In memory of an estimated 1.5 million children, victims of the Holocaust." I am just not sure that children under 9 are able to fully grasp the horrors of the Holocaust, especially to understand this book in which children are led to their deaths, and truly understand what happened. Even as an adult I find the concept overwhelming and incomprehensible.
The illustrations of this book are realistic, and rather grim. They are even darker in color by the end of the book, as Korczak leads his children onto the train to Treblinka. He was a hero. When one of the guards recognized the famous man, he offered to let him go free. However, he refused to leave his children, and died with them.
I liked this book and hated it at the same time. It was heartbreaking. I had never heard of Janusz Korczak, so I had no idea what to expect from the book. From looking at the cover and reading the title, I expected that Janusz would save children from the death camps. Sadly, that is not what happened. This book was really well-written and focused on all the good things that he did prior to the end of his life. He started an orphanage in Poland and children adored him. He was also a doctor, an author, a radio personality, and a teacher. Sadly though, he died along with the children of his orphanage, in the Nazi camp Treblinka.
This is a pretty intense story. I would not want to read it to kids before they were ready, so I would not read this until we had done some studying about what happened during the Holocaust. Although the age for this book is 8 and up, I think I would probably save it until 5th grade, at the earliest. The dedication at the beginning of this book is, "In memory of an estimated 1.5 million children, victims of the Holocaust." I am just not sure that children under 9 are able to fully grasp the horrors of the Holocaust, especially to understand this book in which children are led to their deaths, and truly understand what happened. Even as an adult I find the concept overwhelming and incomprehensible.
The illustrations of this book are realistic, and rather grim. They are even darker in color by the end of the book, as Korczak leads his children onto the train to Treblinka. He was a hero. When one of the guards recognized the famous man, he offered to let him go free. However, he refused to leave his children, and died with them.
March 22, 2014
A Hero And the Holocaust: The Story of Janusz Korczak and His Children written by David Alder and illustrated by Bill Farnsworth is a beautiful biography about the life of Janusz Korczak originally born as Henryk Goldszmit. Henryk was born in Poland to Jewish parents he was a quite child who daydreamed for hours, “telling himself fairy tales.” His father developed a mental illness was institutionalized and passed away a few years later, hurtling the family into poverty. Henryk started writing to get through his sorrow developing the pen name of Janusz Korczak. Throughout his life Janusz wrote books for children and advice books on caring for children for adults. He became the director of a Jewish orphan’s home in Warsaw, Poland and acted as father, doctor, barber, and teacher for all of his “children.” During this time he had a weekly radio program offering stories and advice to his listeners. In 1933 the Nazi anti-Jewish party took control of Germany. In 1944 the Nazis forced more than 4,000 Jews to live inside the Warsaw Ghetto. Janusz Korczak has been an inspiration to millions, his never failing kindness and words of wisdom have survived time. Read this book to experience the joy and support he provided others and his solidarity until the end.
Levels: Reading Level: Grade level Equivalent: 4.3, Lexile Measure®: Not Available, DRA: Not Available, Guided Reading: Not Available
Genre: Biography
Levels: Reading Level: Grade level Equivalent: 4.3, Lexile Measure®: Not Available, DRA: Not Available, Guided Reading: Not Available
Genre: Biography
March 9, 2010
Janusz Koczak was such an inspiring man, though outside of Poland and the Holocaust community, few people knew his story until recently.
A Dr. through three wars, he became the Dirctor of a Polish orphanage shortly before the Nazis invaded Poland. As a person of national importance, he was twice spared trips to a concentration camp. Remaining behind in his capacity as Director, he chose to travel with the orphans in his care to Treblinka where he perished alongside the orphans.
Korczak (real name: Hirsh/Henryk Goldszmit)wrote several books for and about children. His book, "King Matt the First" was read throughout Europe and was popular even among Germans. In his writings on children (he also had a radio broadcast where he gave parents advice), Korczak advised adults to listen to and respect children, and most of all, to love them- which is what he dedicated his life to doing.
This picture book biography is illustarted with soft, smudged paintings that create the somber times of his final days. In each drawing where Korczak is represented, he almost glows- emitting a light in the frame that symbolizes the role he played in children's lives. As an advocate for children's rights and the epitome of love and self-sacrifice, this is a wonderful introduction to a man who was truly a hero to admire.
A Dr. through three wars, he became the Dirctor of a Polish orphanage shortly before the Nazis invaded Poland. As a person of national importance, he was twice spared trips to a concentration camp. Remaining behind in his capacity as Director, he chose to travel with the orphans in his care to Treblinka where he perished alongside the orphans.
Korczak (real name: Hirsh/Henryk Goldszmit)wrote several books for and about children. His book, "King Matt the First" was read throughout Europe and was popular even among Germans. In his writings on children (he also had a radio broadcast where he gave parents advice), Korczak advised adults to listen to and respect children, and most of all, to love them- which is what he dedicated his life to doing.
This picture book biography is illustarted with soft, smudged paintings that create the somber times of his final days. In each drawing where Korczak is represented, he almost glows- emitting a light in the frame that symbolizes the role he played in children's lives. As an advocate for children's rights and the epitome of love and self-sacrifice, this is a wonderful introduction to a man who was truly a hero to admire.
July 25, 2010
A Hero and the Holocaust: The Story of Janusz Korczak and His Children by David Adler
Illustrated by Bill Farnsworth
32p Published by Holiday House 2002
Grades K-3
This is a biography of the Polish, Jewish orphanage director and doctor, Janusz Korczak who comforted and cared for hundreds of children in the Warsaw ghetto. When the children were forced to eventually leave the ghetto and board trains to Treblinka, a concentration camp, Korczak refused to leave his children and went with them: “There were signs for trains to other cities. But for Jews, there were no trains out of Treblinka. Janusz Korczak died there with his children.” The pictures are well done in soft muted tones that accurately convey despair and sadness.
The Although I have grades K-3 indicated, this is the appropriate READING level only. The topics of Nazism, ghettos, transports, camps, and gas chambers are in the book and grade school children will need adult explanation of these horrific pasts. I do not feel the book is thematically appropriate for K-3, at all. Thematically, I believe 3rd grade and up is best. This book is best accompanied with other texts, as children may be confused as to why Korczak went to a camp and died. I would use this book in units that cover World War II, Poland, the Holocaust, and heroes.
Illustrated by Bill Farnsworth
32p Published by Holiday House 2002
Grades K-3
This is a biography of the Polish, Jewish orphanage director and doctor, Janusz Korczak who comforted and cared for hundreds of children in the Warsaw ghetto. When the children were forced to eventually leave the ghetto and board trains to Treblinka, a concentration camp, Korczak refused to leave his children and went with them: “There were signs for trains to other cities. But for Jews, there were no trains out of Treblinka. Janusz Korczak died there with his children.” The pictures are well done in soft muted tones that accurately convey despair and sadness.
The Although I have grades K-3 indicated, this is the appropriate READING level only. The topics of Nazism, ghettos, transports, camps, and gas chambers are in the book and grade school children will need adult explanation of these horrific pasts. I do not feel the book is thematically appropriate for K-3, at all. Thematically, I believe 3rd grade and up is best. This book is best accompanied with other texts, as children may be confused as to why Korczak went to a camp and died. I would use this book in units that cover World War II, Poland, the Holocaust, and heroes.
March 10, 2010
A Hero and the Holocaust: The Story of Janusz Korczak and His Children by David A. Adler is a picture book biography intended for readers in grades three through five. I gave it four stars. Janusz Korczak was a Polish man, director of a Jewish orphans’ home in Poland during World War II and the era of Hitler and the Nazis. “Korczak told adults to respect children and their beliefs, and most of all, to love them…Janusz Korczak refused to leave his children” As Warsaw fell and was overtaken by the Nazis, Korczak lived with his “children” in the Warsaw Ghetto, eventually dying by their sides as they were forced into concentration camps. This heart-wrenching story shows the enormous love and respect one man had for his children, showing that it is not blood but love that binds us all. The illustrations are beautifully drawn in darkened tones, shadowing the sorrowful and sad times Korczak and his children went through. Readers of all ages can identify with loving an adult, feeling protected by their love, and knowing, in some small way, that adults and children can save each other and let no one man or action tear them or their love apart.
February 23, 2017
I ran across this one in the library while looking for Margaret Knight's biography and ended up taking this one as well, in large part between Korczak is a major personal hero of mine, and also because it's mentioned in the handbook I'm using in class. The illustrations are beautiful, nearly photographic (and in some places they are definitely based on historical photographs), though also dark and grainy. The text is the unvarnished story. They die. All of them. That's what happened, and there isn't any sugar coating here. That would be my one concern since, honestly, I'm not sure what age level this book is best suited for. I don't think I'd give this to a student under grade six at the most simply because of how terrible the things that happened were, but it feels like this book is aiming younger than that. It's well done but reminds me strongly of Rose Blanche in the sense that it's a factual, well researched, and painfully blunt look at one of the worst things humanity ever did to itself, but I can't really pinpoint a specific audience. These are very nearly adult picturebooks.
October 3, 2013
A Book for Children About a Great Man Who Loved Them
From the time of his early boyhood in Warsaw, Poland, to his untimely death at the hands of the Nazis in 1942, Janusz Korczak cared for and loved children, especially those who others shunned. And the children all loved him. This beautifully illustrated book, tenderly tells the life story of the "Old Doctor" and how he ran his orphanages, both the original Children's Home he established on Krochmalna Street in 1912 and the one he was forced to set up when he and all his charges were forced into the Warsaw Ghetto after the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939. What makes this book particularly suitable for young readers is how David Adler portrays both Korczak's tenderness and courage. It's a sad but life-affirming story of a man all children should know about, a man who loved children, devoted his life to them, and refused to leave them in the end. Young children need a hero like Dr. Korczak.
From the time of his early boyhood in Warsaw, Poland, to his untimely death at the hands of the Nazis in 1942, Janusz Korczak cared for and loved children, especially those who others shunned. And the children all loved him. This beautifully illustrated book, tenderly tells the life story of the "Old Doctor" and how he ran his orphanages, both the original Children's Home he established on Krochmalna Street in 1912 and the one he was forced to set up when he and all his charges were forced into the Warsaw Ghetto after the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939. What makes this book particularly suitable for young readers is how David Adler portrays both Korczak's tenderness and courage. It's a sad but life-affirming story of a man all children should know about, a man who loved children, devoted his life to them, and refused to leave them in the end. Young children need a hero like Dr. Korczak.
September 12, 2016
This is the third picture book, and probably my favorite, I have read about Henryk Goldszmit, better known as Janusz Korczak; doctor, author, humanitarian, child advocate, and amazing selfless person. Together David Adler and Bill Farnsworth did a fantastic job of showing life during Nazi occupied Poland and the Warsaw ghetto, in an appropriate way for older elementary age students. I wish any parent or educator good luck when attempting to get through this powerful read without crying. My daughter had to give me several encouraging hugs throughout.
April 21, 2011
A book about the unheard hero Janusz Korczak, who was called the "Old Doctor" for taking care of hundreds of children in the orphanages. He was forced to take these orphans to a death camp, but he remained by their side til the end. This is a touching book that can be used in the classroom while discussing the Holocaust. Children can relate to to this book because it talks about children around the elementary school age. Great pictures!
January 6, 2009
˜Spoiler alert! The book ends with the death of Korczak and the children so it’s pretty dark. There is no sensational gore or details and there is a hopeful tone, even if it is slight but the teacher should definitely preview it. For students ready to handle this kind of material, this book does not gloss over the effects of the Holocaust but strides the line of truth and gory detail.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2011
I recently learned of Janusz Korczak for the first time in the book The Zookeeper's Wife. I previewed this book for my son to read to learn about this remarkable man and his orphanage children that he tended to with such a loving heart in the Warsaw ghetto.
March 29, 2016
Well, here's a somber thing. I'm in the middle of reading ECHO by Ryan. I think I'll insert this tomorrow for more background information. So much good comes from evil acts. In the end, the good trumps.
May 18, 2009
It always amazes me how some people did so well despite their circumstances. These people truly make me try to be a better person.
July 12, 2010
good story about a hero of the holocaust
April 30, 2012
Great to introduce this amazing man to younger audiences! Although it may be a little dry for young readers...
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews