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Angel Girl
A prisoner in a Nazi labor camp, Herman soon loses the will to go on. Then a young girl appears on the other side of the barbed-wire fence--an angel bearing food and hope. Based on a true tale of survival, this book tells a story of love, hope, and the strength of the human spirit. Full color.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
8 people are currently reading
222 people want to read
About the author
Laurie B. Friedman
176 books143 followersLaurie Friedman is the author and ghostwriter of over 300 award-winning picture books, easy readers, chapter books, and novels for young readers including the bestselling Mallory McDonald series, the Moose the Dog easy reader series, the Camp Creepy Lake and Wendy & Willow chapter books, and may picture books including Cows in the House and Love, Ruby Valentine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
October 17, 2008
A few days ago a dear friend sent me an e-mail about a Jewish couple who met years ago under the most unusual circumstances during World War II. It was such a beautiful story I was thrilled when I discovered there was a book written about it.
A young boy arrives at a concentration camp. How many books like this have I read now? Too many. The pictures and the language aren't pretty--and yet they are also appropriate. Visually drab and disorienting and verbally staccato, everything in the book emphasizes the emptiness young Herman experienced when his mother pushed him towards Life and she walked to her death.
Alone, abandoned, Herman is sent an angel in the form of a little girl who brings him an apple every day. Just one ordinary apple but it might as well have been a golden apple . . . or do I mean manna?
Angel Girl is a very beautiful story with a happy ending; best of all it's true. There is a photograph page at the end of the book. Thank you Mary Alice for this awesome book!
A young boy arrives at a concentration camp. How many books like this have I read now? Too many. The pictures and the language aren't pretty--and yet they are also appropriate. Visually drab and disorienting and verbally staccato, everything in the book emphasizes the emptiness young Herman experienced when his mother pushed him towards Life and she walked to her death.
Alone, abandoned, Herman is sent an angel in the form of a little girl who brings him an apple every day. Just one ordinary apple but it might as well have been a golden apple . . . or do I mean manna?
Angel Girl is a very beautiful story with a happy ending; best of all it's true. There is a photograph page at the end of the book. Thank you Mary Alice for this awesome book!
October 24, 2008
A true story of a boy in a concentration camp, who survived because a girl in town gave him an apple every day through the barbed wire fence. Years later, in NYC, the two went on a blind date together, not knowing who each other was. Finding out on that very date, they married soon after. A heartwarming story out of a horrible history.
December 3, 2008
EDIT on 12/28: I changed this from 5 to 3 stars given that the 5 star rating was based partially on the assumption that this was a true story and some of it was also based on the post story "non-fction" material. It might be a 4 star book for me, even as a fictional book, but I read it as non-fiction (which I just found out less than a month after reading it that it was fabricated. If I'd read it as fiction first, I might have given it 4 stars, or 3, but not 5:
I was unsure about this as a children’s picture book because of the holocaust subject matter. I wouldn’t read this to preschoolers but for elementary school children it could be a good introduction to the holocaust and a good story for those already familiar.
It's based on a true story and at the end of the book photos of the couple involved are included which was a nice touch.
It’s about a young 11 year old Jewish boy who’s sent to a Nazi work camp in Germany and the young girl who sneaks food to him every day and contributes to saving his life. She’s Jewish too but has false papers and is hiding out with her family on a neighboring farm. She is very brave because she risks her life and the lives of her family members by helping this starving boy.
I cried through much of this; it was an emotional story.
It’s lovely how these two young people get reacquainted many years later, and it’s what eventually happens that makes this story very special.
It’s a very spare, plain story but it is emotionally rich.
The illustrator is Israeli and the pictures are a great contribution to this story.
I was unsure about this as a children’s picture book because of the holocaust subject matter. I wouldn’t read this to preschoolers but for elementary school children it could be a good introduction to the holocaust and a good story for those already familiar.
It's based on a true story and at the end of the book photos of the couple involved are included which was a nice touch.
It’s about a young 11 year old Jewish boy who’s sent to a Nazi work camp in Germany and the young girl who sneaks food to him every day and contributes to saving his life. She’s Jewish too but has false papers and is hiding out with her family on a neighboring farm. She is very brave because she risks her life and the lives of her family members by helping this starving boy.
I cried through much of this; it was an emotional story.
It’s lovely how these two young people get reacquainted many years later, and it’s what eventually happens that makes this story very special.
It’s a very spare, plain story but it is emotionally rich.
The illustrator is Israeli and the pictures are a great contribution to this story.
October 25, 2008
Dark, heart wrenching yet beautiful images and aching, intimate first person narrative tell the true tale of holocaust prisoner Herman Rosenblat and the young girl who saved his life, twice.
You can listen in on our chat about this book on our Just One More Book! Children's Book Podcast.
You can listen in on our chat about this book on our Just One More Book! Children's Book Podcast.
November 22, 2008
A sad story with a happy ending, made all the sweeter because it really happened. A Jewish boy in a concentration camp is secretly given food by a girl outside the camp, and survives to be liberated. Years later, on a blind date, he meets a girl with oddly familiar eyes...
November 4, 2008
This would a fantastic picture book to use in a unit on the Holocaust or World War II for elementary school students. The story is beautiful and the illustrations are just fabulous. This should definitely be a Caldecott contender this year.
January 7, 2009
This book is such a wonderful introduction to the Holocaust. I used it in my classroom and it is such a sweet story with haunting illustrations.
June 4, 2009
This is a wonderful story, but once I heard that the story wasn't true after all my love of it was killed.
March 8, 2018
Sadly, this is a faked story and the book was withdrawn from publication.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/31/boo...
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/31/boo...
December 6, 2016
1. A story about a young boy in a concentration camp who receives help from a young girl outside the fence who helped save his life. Not only does she give him hope in surviving, but he remembers her throughout his entire life and needs to find her to thank her.
2. As a history buff, this is a beautiful story that shows the motivation of a young boy in a concentration camp. This book is well illustrated and historically accurate. One thing I really enjoyed about this book is that it goes beyond his experience in the concentration camp, but him as an adult.
*I heard that this book may not be true so I was not sure exactly what category to put this book in, I felt that this category of historical-fiction was the best category to put it in.
3. Menorah in the Night Sky by by Jacques J.M. Shore (Author), S. Kim Glassman (illustrator).
4. "The war dragged on. Day after day. Month after month. The work camp filled with sickness and starvation. But my angel girl sustained me with food. My angel girl filled me with hope."
2. As a history buff, this is a beautiful story that shows the motivation of a young boy in a concentration camp. This book is well illustrated and historically accurate. One thing I really enjoyed about this book is that it goes beyond his experience in the concentration camp, but him as an adult.
*I heard that this book may not be true so I was not sure exactly what category to put this book in, I felt that this category of historical-fiction was the best category to put it in.
3. Menorah in the Night Sky by by Jacques J.M. Shore (Author), S. Kim Glassman (illustrator).
4. "The war dragged on. Day after day. Month after month. The work camp filled with sickness and starvation. But my angel girl sustained me with food. My angel girl filled me with hope."
May 12, 2010
Based on a true story, "Angel Girl" follows a young Polish boy who is forced to work in a labor camp during World War II. With barely any food to survive, many of the individuals in the camp begin to die from disease and starvation. One day a young girl appears on the outskirts of the camp and gives the boy an apple. Every day the boy meets the girl who continues to smuggle apples to the boy and keeps him alive. The war finally ends, and the boy is released from the camp. Now a young man in America, the boy goes on a blind date and of all the people he could meet, it turns out to be the same girl who saved his life.
There is quite a bit of speculation on the accuracy of the story. Apparently the blind date portion of the story (which seemed too good to be true) was merely a fabrication. The story itself is one of hope and joy, however, the author states the story is in fact true, whereas others disagree.
There is quite a bit of speculation on the accuracy of the story. Apparently the blind date portion of the story (which seemed too good to be true) was merely a fabrication. The story itself is one of hope and joy, however, the author states the story is in fact true, whereas others disagree.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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July 7, 2012Multicultural, Biography, non-fiction. Published in 2008 for grades 4-8. Themes are strong in this short book - religion - Jewish, the Holocaust, family and friendship. This book is based on the true life story of Herman who was taken from his mother and lives in a labor camp as a prisoner. He prays and dreams of his mother who tells him an angel will take care of him. Then a farm girl appears on the other side of the fence and throws him apples day after day. Once the war is over he thanks his angel girl. Then years later Herman moves to the United States and goes on a blind date and the woman ends up being his angel girl!! The teacher can incorporate this into lessons of the Holocaust and the roles that children played - they became slaves. Teachers can also show that biographies and non-fiction books come in all shapes and sizes - even like this wonderfully illustrated book!!
December 18, 2009
Absolutely amazing. It is the true story of a boy, Herman, who during World War II was forced to work in a labor camp in Germany at the age of 11. Day by day he loses hope until one day his "angel girl" appears on the other side of the fence. She brings him an apple every day, at great risk to both of them. At last, Herman is liberated from the camp and starts a new life in America, never able to forget the past or his angel girl. Miraculously, he meets his angel girl on a blind date and soon after they marry. This book brought out an array of emotions from beginning to end. Despair. Sorrow. Pain. Hope. Happiness. Love. Every word tugs at your heart. The authors use of short, quick sentences and the illustrators long, sad pictures will make this story one that you will remember a lifetime.
June 1, 2008
This is an amazing picture book based on a true story. Herman is a young Jewish boy living in a concentration camp, struggling to survive. He meets a young girl by the fence one day and she gives him an apple. They arrange to meet everyday by the fence. Herman survives the concentration camp thanks to his "Angel Girl". After his liberation, Herman and his brother's move to the United States. Herman's friends set him up on a blind date. As it just so turns out, Herman's date is "Angel Girl" ...and the rest, as they say, is history. Herman and Angel Girl marry and are still going strong 50 years later.
Strangely similar to "Boy in the Stripped Pajamas" but true and without the jacked up ending. The illustrations are almost as amazing as the story. Definitely check it out.
Strangely similar to "Boy in the Stripped Pajamas" but true and without the jacked up ending. The illustrations are almost as amazing as the story. Definitely check it out.
June 26, 2016
It is unfortunate that the author presented this tale as a work of non-fiction instead of historical fiction, readers would not have felt duped. I just picked this up at the public library and their was a disclaimer the library had added on the first page describing the true nature of the book and the authors apology. That being said as a work of historical fiction I found it very touching, this act of kindness that kept someone going in the darkest of circumstances. Then later fate stepping in to connect these too souls together; one can only hope that something similar ever could really happen. I don't know what age would be interested in this tale, older kids who have some idea about what the holocaust was and have not closed their hearts to the wonders of picture books.
February 10, 2014
Stink. Here I was thinking this was an amazing true story of Holocaust survival, and I was as awed as the next person over the details. But... while the boy in the story was, in fact, imprisoned during the Holocaust, there was not a girl who delivered apples to him and became his wife years later after being reunited on a blind date in New York City. Turns out it was a complete fabrication. And now, I'm bummed.
So, gotta give it one star, since the only reason the book exists is because it was supposed to be a personal narrative of a true event. If that's not the case, then all the power of the story is gone for me. (Wouldn't it have been nice, though?)
So, gotta give it one star, since the only reason the book exists is because it was supposed to be a personal narrative of a true event. If that's not the case, then all the power of the story is gone for me. (Wouldn't it have been nice, though?)
March 2, 2009
So the story goes: Herman was taken off to a Holocaust camp where he was overworked and nearly starved (emotionally, physically) but he met an angle girl who visited him daily, tossing apples over the barbed-wire fence. Years later they met in NYC, fell in love, and married.
Lovely story, the kind that touches you. Too bad it's fabricated. I feel for the author - how horrible to get caught up in Herman's lies. You'd think somewhere along the line someone would have checked or researched or something.
It's the same as the whole James Frey thing - you're not mad at the story or even that it's fiction, you're mad that you got duped.
Lovely story, the kind that touches you. Too bad it's fabricated. I feel for the author - how horrible to get caught up in Herman's lies. You'd think somewhere along the line someone would have checked or researched or something.
It's the same as the whole James Frey thing - you're not mad at the story or even that it's fiction, you're mad that you got duped.
February 19, 2011
This is the controversial book that was eventually yanked from many bookshelves for being "fictional". The story was originally told by a couple who claimed it was their real life "Holocaust" story. After the book was published, several reporters started looking into the story and discovered some gross exaggerations and outright mistruths...so of course that got my attention and made me want to read the book. The story and illustrations are well-done...it is very unfortunate that the book was written under such false pretenses and received so much negative attention.
July 16, 2011
I read the book a little unimpressed - with the sheer number of books about the Holocaust, you need to be quite good to make a mark. The details were few, and the story very toned down to the audience. While that was good, it made everything seem so vague. However, at the back is a short synopsis with a picture of Herman and his 'Angel Girl'. After reading that part, it really hit me that it actually happened, and I nearly cried. While I don't feel the author and illustrator quite did the story justice, I can't help but love this bitter-sweet book.
February 22, 2017
The beauty of this book is that it is true. As with many beautiful things, they rise out of ugliness. Such is the case with this book. Herman's story is incredible. Forced by the Nazis to work in a camp, saved from starvation by a mysterious girl who stood outside the fence, Herman goes first to England and then to America. Taken on a blind date, he meets his angel girl, Roma, whom he marries.
This is such a bittersweet story. We learn how the Nazis treated the Jews, and yet out of that awfulness, comes this love story.
Incredible.
This is such a bittersweet story. We learn how the Nazis treated the Jews, and yet out of that awfulness, comes this love story.
Incredible.
March 27, 2017
Angel Girl is a uniquely true story about two Jewish kids who fall in love during the Nazi invasion in Germany. Herman dubs the Jewish girl he sees outside the fence as his Angel Girl; she brings him food and gives him hope during this trying time. The war ends and Herman is able to be free, but he doesn’t see his Angel Girl until many years later. This story full of hope and love will definitely leave tears in your eyes. I'm big on romantic books, and not many children books focus on that. I like this book for this unique reason. I also like the structure and good-nature of the storyline.
June 2, 2012
Ok so I work with 7th graders with learning disabilities so I have to read everybook in our classroom, this is such a touching story!!! I love to learn about the holocaust and WWII, because although there were very horrible things that happened to people at that time this story is just a great example of the kindness humans have towards eachother when they feel all is lost...i cried- you should read this.
Although it was recently brought into question the authenticity of this story! :0
Although it was recently brought into question the authenticity of this story! :0
November 11, 2008
This book is so amazing! It recounts the story of how a young Jewish boy is taken from his mother and forced to endure the hardships of living in a concentration camp during WWII. The one thing that helps him survive is the apple that a farm girl gives him each day as she sneaks it between the barbed wire fence. Years later their paths cross and they meet again. The story ends with a picture of the two of them today celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.
January 13, 2009
I am being biased here. It is only getting a low rating because of the news that this book is a lie. I am so disappointed about that. I would have been giving this a five star but...... Having the words true story plastered all over this book and now knowing he made up the story. If the publisher would re-release it as a fictional story I will change my review. The illustrations are beautiful and Friedman did a wonderful job retelling what she believed to be a true story. Grades 3+
October 2, 2008
Based on an amazing true story about a girl who risked her life to bring apples to a boy in a concentration camp. He survived, but never knew the girl. Years later in New York he went on a blind date. His history came up-- and it turns out the woman was the same girl who had been bringing him apples! Reminds me of Patricia Polacco's Christmas Tapestry.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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December 31, 2008I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS STORY IS FAKE!! He made up the whole thing! Not too happy about this: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/29/boo...
11-27-08 My dad told me this story about six years ago and I was as touched then as I am now. Hard to believe this really happened.
11-27-08 My dad told me this story about six years ago and I was as touched then as I am now. Hard to believe this really happened.
January 19, 2009
(I've changed my rating from 5 stars to 2.) This book was published as a true story of kindness during WWII. It was recently discovered that this story was fabricated. I'm so disappointed. I loved the illustrations and the way that they enhanced story of hope and miracles amidst the bleakness of war. Sadly, it's all fiction.
April 14, 2009
Picture book listed as a non-fiction. Story of a young eleven year old boy in a conservation work camp seperated from his mother. Each day a young farm girl comes by the fence and gives him an apple. He begins to call this girl his "Angel Girl" because if not for her he would not have survived this camp until wars end.
March 9, 2012
Before I realized this was a try story I thought it was too cliche - even for kids. But then when I did a little research and realized it was, indeed, a true story I liked it even more. This would maybe be a good book to read to the kids along with "Star of Hope" as an introduction to The Holocaust.
January 26, 2009
We read a book called Rose Blanche by Christophe Gallaz that was very similar to "Angel Girl." That one with a sad ending that really let us feel the terrible impact of WWII on the Jews. This story had a happy ending. Read it and see why!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews