The Secret of Gabi's Dresser

Gabi Klein #1

by Kathy Kacer

During WWII, when the Nazis conducted house searches for Jewish children, Gabi successfully hid in the dining-room dresser. The dresser that saved Gabi’s life now sits in author Kathy Kacer’s home in Toronto.

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

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Kathy Kacer was born in Toronto and has lived there all her life (with the exception of three years in New Brunswick). She has a Master’s degree in Psychology and worked for many years with troubled teens and their families. She stopped working full time in 1995 to pursue her dream of becoming a children’s author. That dream came true with the publication of her first book, The Secret of Gabi’s Dresser, in 1999. She has been writing ever since.

Her parents were both survivors of the Holocaust. Her mother survived the war in hiding; her father was a survivor of the concentration camps. Their stories of survival were an inspiration to Kathy as she was growing up. As an adult, she was determined to write their stories and pass them on to young readers. She went on to write more than twenty books, all focused on the Holocaust. These books include The Night Spies, The Diary of Laura’s Twin, To Hope and Back, Hiding Edith, the Whispers series, and The Magician of Auschwitz. Many of her books have won awards in Canada, the United States, and Israel. Her books have been sold in over twenty countries around the world.

In addition to writing, Kathy teaches at the University of Toronto (Continuing Studies). She also speaks to children in schools and libraries around the world about the importance of understanding the Holocaust and keeping its memory alive. In addition, she lectures in universities and colleges on the topic of teaching sensitive material to young children.

She is married and has two children, Gabi and Jake. Both children share her family’s love of stories.

Reviews

[Eva Gat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kniha o holokauste prispôsobená deťom, zaujímavý a citlivo podaný skutočný príbeh. Autorka je detská psychologička, takže vie presne, kde sú etické hranice. Krásny a smutný príbeh so (žiaľ ojedinelým) happyendom.
Ak máte niekde po ruke cca 12 ročné deti, dajte im to čítať!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

11 ročnej dcére sa páčila, je napísaná citlivo, že by ju mohli čítať aj 9 ročné deti vraj 😊

[Elgyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Myšlenka je skvělá, ale nějak jsem se s tím nepotkala.

Nejsem si jistá, jestli kotě, které hrdince „sotva zaplní dlaně“ se bude na zahradě „prohánět po trávě a honit každého brouka a každého ptáka“. (s. 85)

s. 87 (1942) „V mlčenlivé shodě jsme začaly vyklízet komodu.
To už snad udělali v lednu, ne?
s. 62 „Komoda,“ opakovala maminka. „Musíme z ní vyndat všechny věci a někam je bezpečně schovat, aby tam pro tebe bylo místo.“
Nebo nebylo kam spěchat a na podzim času dost?

s. 7 národně [Národně]
s. 43 „Gábinko, udělej mi ještě čaj, prosím?“ Udělej?

[Lisa Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for kids just learning about the Holocaust.

[Teah Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book multiple times and it is still one of my favourites that take place during the Holocaust. A great read for kids just starting out learning about the Holocaust.

[Haley]

Marking this as read bc I thought it was a fever dream, read in like 4TH grade may be the only holocaust book I’ve read

[AGOULS]

This book is totally amazing I love it so much every time I read it it excites me like the first time

[Jennpower · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the book in the library at school when I was in high school, looking for a quick read. I was right, it was a quick read. I remember thinking that the title was rather odd- as the dresser in question only seemed to be present in one chapter. I can't say I would read it again, but I'm glad I did read it, even if it was just because I was bored.

It would be a good introduction to the Holocaust for children, there's nothing too graphic or frightening, but it still manages to convey the seriousness of it. Maybe I just read it at the wrong age, but that being considered, the book gets two stars.

[Janet]

Courage, Kindness
Grandmother tells the children about the history of the dresser in her home. Grandmother hid inside the dresser during World War II and escaped persecution with her mother.
This book could be used during a study of the Holocaust and World War II.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great introduction for children to Holocaust fiction, in the tradition of Hana's Suitcase.