Hiding to Survive: Stories of Jewish Children Rescued from the Holocaust

by Maxine B. Rosenberg

The first-person stories of fourteen Jewish children who were hidden, during World War II, from the Nazis by non-Jewish friends--in monasteries, convents, secret closets, chicken coops, and elsewhere--are accompanied by information on what those children are doing today.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Holocaust

166 pages, Hardcover

First published April 18, 1994

Reviews

[Brandy Simmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Hiding to Survive" by Maxine Rosenberg is a collection of stories told by individuals who were children during WWII. These survivors were Jewish children living in Europe, who were hidden by gentiles. Each survivor's story is unique, yet the stories also share some common elements. All of the survivors expressed their appreciation for the people who helped them through the war. In some cases, these people became a part of their family. The survivors also all lost someone or were split from their families for a considerable length of time. For some of the survivors, they spent their entire time actually hiding in small spaces, such as haylofts. For other survivors, they were hiding in plain sight, acting as a distant relative of the people who were caring for them. Several of the survivors featured in this book were posing as Christians in convents and orphanages. I cannot imagine the emotional turmoil these children were experiencing in any of these situations. Although living out in the community sounds better than hiding in a hayloft, both situations are terrifying. These children lived in fear every day of being killed or captured.

The stories also provide some understanding of the political and social climate of the communities in which these children lived. Some of these survivors were hidden by people who were involved in the underground resistance. One survivor indicated the people who hid him did so because they were extremely nationalistic and were angry Germany had invaded their country. Other survivors were hidden because their families paid another family to hide them. While this sounds barbaric, Christian families were struggling to survive as well and needed the money to feed their families. While others hid Jewish children simply because it was the "right thing to do". Many of these survivors hid in several different places during the war. Christians risked their own lives, as well as that of their families, hiding Jewish children. Sometimes the risk became too great and the families refused to house the children any longer.

I appreciated hearing the untold side of the these stories. Learning about WWII as a child, I was horrified that more people did not help the Jewish people. I had difficulty understanding a world where people turned a blind eye to hate and refused to help those in need. I think these stories would be helpful for students from ages 10-12 to have a deeper understanding of WWII and the fear that paralyzed the masses.

[Joanne H · Rating 5 out of 5]

The books is a compilation of several stories of children that survived the WW2 holocaust.
It shows a different perspective of events and kindness / bravery of people that took the risk to protect these children.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hiding To Survive- Maxine Rosenberg
Are you looking for a quality Holocaust book? This great story by Maxine Rosenberg may be just what you’re looking for. Hiding To Survive is very powerful within its theme because it shows the tragedy and triumph of children during the Holocaust.
Maxine Rosenberg is the author of many other short stories. She is a social worker and therapist, who writes books about adoption, siblings, or being a twin. Maxine is familiar with these topics because she deals with these types of situations on an everyday basis.
Hiding To Survive depicts the stories of thousands of children forced to hide during the Holocaust. The book is a non-fictional recollection of all the kids that kept their story a secret. Each of these short stories have a different setting, but the all take place during the mid 1900s in Western Europe. These stories are each unique, but they all have the same topic of children hiding to survive death during the Holocaust.
The theme of this book is HOPE. Each of these people hoped and prayed for the luck of survival during such a tragic period of time. I would rate this book at a 4/5. The book was good, but it became a little bit repetitive with time. This is a good book to read over a long period of time to eliminate the repetitive feeling.
Hiding To Survive is a very well-written story that will help provide great information regarding the people that were forced to hide during the Holocaust.

[Renae · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book i read was " hiding to Survive: Stories of Jewish Children Rescued from the Holocaust by Maxine B. Rosenberg. This book is about multiple stories of real people in the Holocaust. Mostly the stories are about how the lived there life as a Jewish and how the holocaust effected there lifestyle. This story was written because the author is trying to communicate by giving a historical facts as what really happened in the holocaust by real true people and there experiences. I think the author did achieve its purpose because it gives a lot of DIFFERENT factual information of this event because it has multiple stories of different perspectives. My favorite thing about this book is that at the end of each little storytelling about a person it tells you what they had become and how they have had a really good lifestyle after this tragic experience. To me that is my favorite part of the book, because I like stories that have good endings and that made a success. The tone of the book remains the same throughout the story. The book is very academic/factual. This book did have photograph at the end of each storytelling, to give a pic on the character of who you are reading about. It was really helpful and very interesting because you can see how the develop and how they look after the holocaust.

[Catherine Clancy]

Personal stories of survival during WWII left me wanting to learn more about the people who helped hide the Jews as well as read about other survival stories. As an adoptive parent, it was also interesting to read about how so many children came to love the family that was helping them, that despite all of their differences, love and affection was strong and ever present. Years later they oftentimes were still in touch. What incredible stories!

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book at the Holocaust Museum in D.C. and it's unique because it is a compilation of stories written by various people who survived WWII as a Jewish child by being hidden by a non-Jewish person (at great risk to them, of course). It includes 14 (short) stories, and includes an update on what that person is doing in life today.

[Maddie]

I have only read 10 pages but it looks good and I think I will enjoy it! (I have to read non-fiction for school)

[Anne Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was hard to read and I am always shocked by these events even though I shouldn’t be. War time stories touch my soul and must be told.

[Elaine Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could not put this book down. It is a book of individual stories of children and their families who were saved from the Nazis. It made me ask myself the question, "Would I have taken the risk and hidden the Jewish people?" I believe that I would have.

[Akila Ahok · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the best book I've ever read. It's so sorry that some of the children lost their parents during the holocaust, but this book should be a must read book it changed my life maybe it can change others

[Cari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad and interesting stories of children hidden during the war.

[Cassie Helwig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was inspirational and upsetting. What stories these people have to tell...

[Angelina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young adult novel of true stories of Jewish kids hidden during the Holocaust.

[Rebecca Krebbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would be a great YA suggestion as a way to introduce the Holocaust to young readers. All of the stories are touching.

[Andrea Kieza · Rating 5 out of 5]

fascinating what the children had to endure. the human spirit is string in trials thats for sure