The Safest Lie

by Angela Cerrito

This powerful historical novel tells the story of a young girl who is smuggled out of the Warsaw ghetto and struggles to both hide and hold on to her Jewish identity.

In 1940, nine-year-old Anna Bauman and her parents are among 300,000 Polish Jews struggling to survive the wretched conditions in the Warsaw ghetto. Anna draws the attention of Jolanta—the code name for the real-life Resistance spy Irena Sendler, who smuggled hundreds of children out of the ghetto. Jolanta wants to help Anna escape. Anna's mother drills her day and night, teaching her a new identity, that of Roman Catholic Anna Karwolska. Soon Anna is whisked out of Warsaw to a Catholic orphanage and then to a foster family.

Anna's story is a suspenseful and deeply moving account of the sacrifices endured, the dangers faced, and the heroism demonstrated by courageous young victims, their parents and their saviors. It sheds light on yet another tragedy of the Holocaust: rescued children who lost not only their loved ones, but their very identities and Jewish heritage.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Holocaust, World War II, War, Childrens, Young Adult

192 pages, Hardcover

First published July 10, 2015

About the author

While writing The Safest Lie, I conducted research in Warsaw, Poland. In addition to reviewing testimonies of Jewish children recorded at the end of the war, I was honored to interviewe Irena Sendler who was a member of the Polish resistance group Zegota and in charge of the child rescue operations from the Warsaw ghetto.

Currently a resident of Georgia, I was born in Michigan and earned two degrees at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. I love being part of the kidlit community, especially SCBWI (where I volunteer as the Assistant International Advisor) and Verla Kay's blue board.

The best thing about writing has been meeting readers. Please stop by my website www.angelacerrito.com

Reviews

[Carolyn Scarcella · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book I’m reading is called “The Safest Lie” by Angela Cerrito. Angela writes a brilliant story book where she researched and witnessed to meet these children who survived the Holocaust and were saved by many people and included Irena Sandler, she interviewed her as well. The resistance fighters and Irena who took great risks to save them. Irena has saved 2,500 children from the ghetto. She was a very courageous woman who, along with a network of resistance fighters who, saved young children to escape the ghetto to place them with a catholic or Christian family to look after them, to give them food, clothes, medicines. The resistance fighters knew she was captured in 1943 and was in prison for three months and was about to execute her, but they saved her and Irena continue to smuggle Jewish children etc. This book is about a fictional story of a young Jewish girl named Anna Bauman, who is smuggled out of the ghetto with a fake identity. She learns to remember her new name, Anna Karwolska, and stayed at the orphanage, then sent to a catholic family. She’ll have to be the best liar in the world to protect her real identity. Can she? I enjoy the story so much because it is told I’m a simple and easy to read that pulls the reader into another time and place. It allows the reader to see the war through the eyes of the innocent children, families, heroes who sacrifice so much. Amazing read filled with action, emotion and suspense.

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be a great introduction for younger kids to the Holocaust. The action is very fast paced (we go through 4 years of the war in 175 pages), and it doesn't dwell too much on the atrocities of war. Rather the focus is on Anna and how she had to change who she was in order to stay alive.

A very important book that handles a delicate subject wonderfully. Perfect for upper grade school or middle school kids.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm familiar with the courageous woman who, along with a vast network of resistance fighters, saved the lives of 2500+ Jewish children in Poland during WWII. This novel allows readers to experience the horrifying reality of those times through the life of a young Jewish girl. In doing so abstract numbers and reports are personalized, allowing readers to imagine living the same experiences. Young Anna's experience was less traumatic than some, but even so she lived with constant fear, loneliness, and secrecy.
Combine this with countless other fiction and nonfiction titles of Europe in WWII to generate intense and reflective discussions, generate research, and inspire further reading.

[Jill F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book, but the ending?!? I need closure.
✅

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tension is really palpable in this. As an adult reader, I was suspicious of every grownup in the book, as a kid who went through this of course had to be, too. There is some sentimentality in this, but not so much that it sort of glamorizes the sadness. The author’s note is worth reading, as it provides more historical context and emotional weight to an already heavy story.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anna lives with her mother and father in the Polish ghetto during WW2. After a teacher helps her escape, Anna has to learn another identity and adapt to a life of hiding that she is Jewish. She lives in a Catholic orphanage and is then taken in by members of the Polish resistance.

A great choice for students in 5th and 6th grade reading at higher levels. The story is clearly told while being packed with details. Nearly all of Anna's family end up in concentration camps, which are mentioned but not really discussed. The story is powerful while staying sweet and kind. Definitely a great recommendation for readers who enjoyed Number the Stars or The War that Saved My Life.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking historical account of a very dark time that must be known. This is based on the work of Irena Sendler and multiple others who laid their lives on the line to rescue children from the horrors of the camps. Their selflessness is such a stark contrast to the appalling animalistic behavior of the German Nazi machine. These stories are so awful, I wonder why I read them. This quote by Irena Sendler sums up why: "There are humane aspects that are extremely important to developing values: helping to rescue a human being from his misery, neccessary courage and an ability to disregard your own danger in order to save somebody's life."

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me very emotional. The trials and tribulations that Anna goes through-- they are unbelievably difficult. To be told you can't be who you are, to be told you can't speak your language or keep your name or tell people your identity, to forget over time what your identity is... I can hardly imagine.

The way Cerrito describes Anna's relentless hunger-- it's makes you feel hungry too. The imagery is vivid, though not too graphic for young readers.

I would recommend for 4th grade and up.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another book included in the Battle of the Books, so I read so that I could discuss with my granddaughter. I was surprised that it was an Elementary School recommendation. It was an excellent book about a young Jewish girl who was living in a Warsaw ghetto. Her parents work to have her smuggled out, but she has to take on a new identity as a Catholic.

I wondered at the choice for elementary children. I found it to be hard to read and can't help but wonder how it would affect kids who have no background in this time period. I recommend for older children.

[Nan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous historical fiction about a Jewish girl rescued from the Warsaw ghetto and brought to an Catholic orphanage. Personalized what must have been a terrifying and horrible experience-albeit better than the alternative of staying in the ghetto. The quandary-forget your past (and what makes you you) in order to be safe, or hold on to your memories and risk exposing yourself to the enemy. Shocking. And to learn about Irena Sendler and her heroism rescuing 2500 children was inspiring.

[Teegs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, this book was good. It definitely gave me a feel of how life was back in that time, but I was very confused at some parts. The author didn’t really explain all the changes and secrecy, so I almost felt as confused as Anna. Good book, awful ending. I even checked the last few pages again to make sure that there weren’t any more pages. It seemed as if there should’ve been another chapter! 3/5

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good, safe book to introduce the Holocaust. It focuses on a girl's life and how she is saved from the ghetto while briefly touching on Irene Sendler, but has very little info on the camps until the last few chapters of the book and even then is very tame on what it describes. Seems well researched, accurate descriptions of instances, and shows some hardships without being scary. The cover makes the book much less intriguing than the book is.

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the story of a young Jewish girl during the Holocaust in a way that will teach younger students about how terrible that time period was without scarring them. It’s a hard line to tread but Cerrito manages to do it.

It’s not my personal favorite book that deals with the Holocaust but I think it’s an important read for the younger generation.

[KP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice story of how a Warsaw Ghetto family decided to send their daughter away with Irena Sendler. Her cousin was eventually sent to a camp with other family members, and a reunion at the end of the book shows a bit of the differences in their lives. Hard to imagine what these children went through, especially the ones too young to remember who they were born as.

[Anna Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple, yet powerful story of a young Jewish girl smuggled out of the Warsaw Ghetto during WW2. Based on the real life actions of Irena Sendler, this is a fascinating insight into the courageous efforts made to save young children during this tragic time. It is obviously a tragic story, but a good introduction to this topic for younger readers as it is not overly violent.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What was the toll on the children who were hidden as Catholics in Poland during the Nazi occupation? This book explores the viewpoint of a girl who took on an identity until the end of the war and the chance for reunification with her family.

[Clifford E. McElrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Educational and believable

Although fiction this book is based on fact giving it more depth than fiction. The characters are vividly brought to life.It reveals the horror of war, but also the determination and strength of the human spirit.

[Michelle Fournier]

DNF daughter returned to library. But fascinating story not very well written. Multiple grammar mistakes in the 1/3 I read. Daughter who finished it told me the same and that the ending didn’t really count as an ending 🤷‍♀️

[Jill CD · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing story about the Holocaust and what it took to survive as a child. An excellent read for middle school history buffs.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very safe introduction into the Holocaust from the perspective of a 9 year old girl and how she ends up surviving.

[Michele Cirrincione · Rating 3 out of 5]

BES nominee 2018-19

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another look into what some kids went through during the Holocaust. Well written and engaging.

[Michele Kain · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was upper elementary for sure and not upbeat.

[BarbJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical fiction about a Jewish girl hidden during the holocaust.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story! Highly enjoyable; it is one of those books that you read in 2 days and can't put it down.😄💜

[Marcy Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another book recommended to me by my daughter (a teacher) and another great one!! A wonderful book about Jewish children in Poland during WWII.

[Readingraynbow · Rating 5 out of 5]

For stumbling across this book, it's really good!

[Sonal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it is unfair that Anna had to change her name

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

good young adult narrative

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! I didn't want this to end.