"Gizelle, Save the Children!"

by Gizelle Hersh, Peggy Mann

Gizelle Hersh, inspired by her mother's parting words, attempts to save her three younger sisters and a brother from death in the Auschwitz concentration camp at the close of World War II.

Genres: History, Holocaust, Memoir, World War II, Biography, Nonfiction, War

319 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1980

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

This powerful Holocaust memoir, whose title is taken from the last words spoken to the author by her mother, before they were separated forever by the gas chambers of Auschwitz, follows the story of a young Hungarian Jewish girl who somehow managed to survive three concentration camps, and to help her three younger sisters survive as well.

Fluent in German, Gizelle had the unwelcome distinction of interpreting for the infamous Dr. Mengele, as he decided the fate of his victims, and was able to inflate the ages of her siblings, thereby saving their lives. Through their time at Auschwitz, and then later at Geislingen and Dachau, Gizelle continued to uphold her promise to her mother, watching over the younger girls and their Lagerschwester (camp sister), who together made up a row of five. Upon liberation, the girls eventually found themselves in a refugee camp in Bavaria, where they met General Eisenhower.

I read Gizelle, Save the Children! shortly after Isabella Leitner's Fragments of Isabella , and was struck by the similarities between the two. Both relate the story of a Hungarian Jewish family caught up in the terrible events of the Shoah, in which a group of sisters survive together. Although I went through a period in my adolescence in which I read over thirty Holocaust memoirs (what can I say, I have an obsessive streak?), these two titles stand out in my memory, and I can't help thinking it is because I myself am one of three sisters. Perhaps the suffering of others is most vivid to us, when we can somehow identify personally with the victims?

[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is hard to give a rating to such a haunting book, a book about the atrocities of the Holocaust. There was much to learn in this book about a family from Hungary what happened to them during Hitler's awful reign. Mother, Father, four daughters and one son, his father's eternity. Gizelle was the oldest and the last words from her mother were "Gizelle, you must watch the children." Gizelle kept these words inside her. Even when she was the only one of her sisters who knew the truth of the prison camp. Even when she wanted to give up to the hopelessness. This reminded me a lot of other accounts I have read, but it also had new information I had not encountered. There was a strong resemblance to Viktor Frankl's story and how love and giving help keep the spirit from being conquered by the evil around you.

While it was horrible to read this account, it was humbling, it made me feel grateful that I could cook a full dinner for my children each night, that I live in a country that doesn't differentiate by religion (mostly), and that I have my family around me.

Also, it has made me think about the world more and who is suffering out there. What can I do??

This is not one I will share with my children right now. They are too young.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was in 8th grade... It was the first "big" book I ever read, and it was the first time I really learned about the holocaust. It absolutely changed my life; both sparking my love of reading and making me appreciate my own life.
I don't remember if it was well-written or exactly how it ends (I do remember not being able to put it down), but the images it conjured in my head has stuck with me for twenty-five years. And I still have a deep respect (and soft-spot in my heart) for Gizelle, so I am giving it 5 stars for being so powerful that it changed the life of an 8th grader and for helping me realize how precious life is.

[Nienke]

The beautiful and terrible story of the girl Gizelle Hersh who, together with her sisters, survives Auschwitz, against all odds. I read it when I was young (borrowed from a friend) and a few years ago, wanted to own a copy. It isn't sold anymore, but luckily I found one on ebay, signed by Mrs. Hersch no less!

[Valerie Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Continuing my binge-reading of Holocaust books, this one really ought to be required reading for everyone in school. And I mean EVERYONE. It reads like a horror novel, but clearly, it is all too true.

[Erin Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! It was very easy to get into and feel the realities of the Holocaust. It was a great story of sisters.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well told story of how author and her three sisters survived the Holocaust, including a stint at Auschwitz/Birkenau. Pretty amazing story. Sadly of course the author's parents and brother did not survive.

[stephanie]

hungary, holocaust.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartbreaking story about a Jewish girl who tries to save her younger sisters from death in Auschwitz. No matter how many times I read this book, it's still moves me.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this one with 13-year old son.