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Luba: The Angel of Bergen-Belsen
Why am I still alive? Why was I spared?
One night in 1944, Luba Tryszynska’s questions were answered when she found fifty-four children abandoned behind the concentration camp at Bergen-Belsen. Luba knew if the Nazis caught her she could be executed.
But they are someone’s children. And they are hungry.
Despite the mortal dangers, Luba and the women of her barracks cared for these orphans thro-ugh a winter of disease, starvation, and war.
Here is the true story of an everyday hero and the children who gave her a reason to live.
My name is Luba Tryszynska-Frederick and this is my story. I never thought of myself as a particularly brave person, certainly not a hero. But I found that inside every human being there is a hero waiting to emerge. I never could have done what I did without the help of many heroes. This story is for them, and for the children. --Luba Tryszynska-Frederick
One night in 1944, Luba Tryszynska’s questions were answered when she found fifty-four children abandoned behind the concentration camp at Bergen-Belsen. Luba knew if the Nazis caught her she could be executed.
But they are someone’s children. And they are hungry.
Despite the mortal dangers, Luba and the women of her barracks cared for these orphans thro-ugh a winter of disease, starvation, and war.
Here is the true story of an everyday hero and the children who gave her a reason to live.
My name is Luba Tryszynska-Frederick and this is my story. I never thought of myself as a particularly brave person, certainly not a hero. But I found that inside every human being there is a hero waiting to emerge. I never could have done what I did without the help of many heroes. This story is for them, and for the children. --Luba Tryszynska-Frederick
48 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2003
About the author
Michelle R. McCann
16 books16 followersEver since I was a girl, I've always wanted to create books. In college I studied children's lit at Brown University, then I got my MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults from Vermont College. For the past 25 years I've been editing and art directing children’s books, collaborating with authors and illustrators on hundreds of titles. I've also written some children’s books of my own, which have won awards like the Oregon Book Award, Jewish Book Council’s Best Illustrated Book, IRA Notable Book, and Simon Wiesenthal’s Once Upon A World Award. For 13 years I shared my passion teaching Children’s Book Publishing at Portland State University. And when I don't have my nose buried in a book, I'm an adrenaline junkie--I love to snowboard, whitewater raft and scuba dive. I live in Portland, Oregon, with my husband, two kids and three cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
March 13, 2011
This book is written by McCann but it says as told to her by Luba Tryszynska-Frederick, the same Luba who is the title character of this book, the heroine. My cynical self put up an alert: the heroine telling her own story?! But, I soon was put to shame because I don’t think Luba was self-aggrandizing, and there is also plenty of corroboration by others, including some by the children who were saved.
I almost added it to my fiction and historical-fiction shelves because there is an author’s note at the beginning of the book that this is “based on actual events” and that “dialogue and a few composite characters have been created in order to better tell the story” but, after finishing this book, I feel confident that it’s essentially a non-fiction account of events that happened decades ago, as real as anyone’s memories can be after that amount of time has elapsed. It’s also designated by the Library of Congress as a non-fiction biography. There is a lot of non-fiction history given, and real photographs. There is also a wonderful bibliography that includes books, articles, videos, letters, personal interviews, and websites.
Luba was a Jewish concentration camp prisoner at Bergen-Belsen, who’d lost her own family, yet bravely took advantage of the opportunity to save a large number of Jewish children, risking her life in the process. Of the 54 children she helped, 52 survived the last several months in the camp. An amazing feat! They were all Dutch children. If only Anne & Margot Frank had been among them; both died in that camp very shortly before liberation.
This book is heartwarming and inspirational, and both emotionally wrenching and joyfulness inducing, and suspenseful. I felt much glee at the cleverness Luba had in how she accomplished what she did. And the women in her barracks should not be overlooked; their lives were also at risk, but Luba was definitely the driving force. Impressive!
The illustrations are wonderful. They gave a good feel for camp life, were appropriately dark, and have an almost photographic quality. I love the way color was used. In one picture, when Luba thinks about her life back home, the flowers in the forefront are vividly and brightly colored. Terrific artistic choices, including this one, I thought.
This is a wonderful story with which to introduce the Holocaust, although not to too young children because it doesn’t shy away from the facts, and a fine story to show how one person can make a huge difference.
Very touching epilogue!
I almost added it to my fiction and historical-fiction shelves because there is an author’s note at the beginning of the book that this is “based on actual events” and that “dialogue and a few composite characters have been created in order to better tell the story” but, after finishing this book, I feel confident that it’s essentially a non-fiction account of events that happened decades ago, as real as anyone’s memories can be after that amount of time has elapsed. It’s also designated by the Library of Congress as a non-fiction biography. There is a lot of non-fiction history given, and real photographs. There is also a wonderful bibliography that includes books, articles, videos, letters, personal interviews, and websites.
Luba was a Jewish concentration camp prisoner at Bergen-Belsen, who’d lost her own family, yet bravely took advantage of the opportunity to save a large number of Jewish children, risking her life in the process. Of the 54 children she helped, 52 survived the last several months in the camp. An amazing feat! They were all Dutch children. If only Anne & Margot Frank had been among them; both died in that camp very shortly before liberation.
This book is heartwarming and inspirational, and both emotionally wrenching and joyfulness inducing, and suspenseful. I felt much glee at the cleverness Luba had in how she accomplished what she did. And the women in her barracks should not be overlooked; their lives were also at risk, but Luba was definitely the driving force. Impressive!
The illustrations are wonderful. They gave a good feel for camp life, were appropriately dark, and have an almost photographic quality. I love the way color was used. In one picture, when Luba thinks about her life back home, the flowers in the forefront are vividly and brightly colored. Terrific artistic choices, including this one, I thought.
This is a wonderful story with which to introduce the Holocaust, although not to too young children because it doesn’t shy away from the facts, and a fine story to show how one person can make a huge difference.
Very touching epilogue!
March 6, 2018
The true story of Luba Tryszynska. A women who rescued 54 children from the woods in the middle of winter by hiding them in a concentration camp in her barracks along with a few other women. She would sneak food and supplies to them. Believe it or not 52 of them survived the war! Amazing story brought to life in this picture book.
April 26, 2017
I didn't realize this was a children's book when I ordered it from the library. It was so good, though!
April 14, 2017
Biography of a woman known as Luba in Bergen-Belsen. One night she heard children crying outside of her barracks. She ventures outside and finds 54 children in the woods. Two Nazi soldiers dropped them there. They were supposed to murder them, but instead fought and left assuming the cold and starvation would kill them anyway.
Luba convinces the other women in her barracks to take in these children. For nearly 5 months Luba smuggled extra food and clothes into the barracks for the children. She also got them medicine when needed. It was extremely dangerous, if what she was doing was ever found out, she would have been killed. Her strength and courage came from the thoughts of her own son. She hoped there was someone out there doing the same thing for her son.
They were liberated from Bergen-Belsen and 52 of the children survived. The ending was extremely heartwarming with a 50 year reunion of Luba and the children in Amsterdam in 1995 where she was presented with the Silver Medal of Honor for Humanitarian Services by then Queen, Queen Beatrix.
It's amazing what people went through and to see how much some risked to help strangers. Really warm story. Luba was a light in these darkest of dark days. Great picture book biography. Great story for Holocaust studies and/or Women's History month. This nonfiction book has a lot of features that add to its meaning and superiority. There is an Author's Note, Prologue, Epilogue, history note, and Bibliography.
Luba convinces the other women in her barracks to take in these children. For nearly 5 months Luba smuggled extra food and clothes into the barracks for the children. She also got them medicine when needed. It was extremely dangerous, if what she was doing was ever found out, she would have been killed. Her strength and courage came from the thoughts of her own son. She hoped there was someone out there doing the same thing for her son.
They were liberated from Bergen-Belsen and 52 of the children survived. The ending was extremely heartwarming with a 50 year reunion of Luba and the children in Amsterdam in 1995 where she was presented with the Silver Medal of Honor for Humanitarian Services by then Queen, Queen Beatrix.
It's amazing what people went through and to see how much some risked to help strangers. Really warm story. Luba was a light in these darkest of dark days. Great picture book biography. Great story for Holocaust studies and/or Women's History month. This nonfiction book has a lot of features that add to its meaning and superiority. There is an Author's Note, Prologue, Epilogue, history note, and Bibliography.
June 21, 2011
This book is wonderfully done, and I don't think it could be improved on much, but I find stories of the Holocaust to be very difficult to handle, even when they are handled with the upmost in care. The unbearable degree of inhumanity shown to people in the concentration camps churns my stomach. I'm left to wonder how people could treat other people in this way. How could anyone be so convinced of a complete stranger's supposed negative qualities that they feel justified in treating them with such barbaric cruelty? It's unsettling. There are so many great stories like Luba's of people who persevere over these incredible circumstances, but at the same time I can only think that these circumstances were unnecessary. These people didn't need to be gathered into these terrible conditions, shouldn't have had to demonstrate such heroism, should never have been interrupted from living their lives as they were meant to in the first place. The Holocaust is a tragic part of the history of humanity. It's incomprehensible and brutal and every bit as hard to take today as it ever would have been. This is an encouraging story set against that backdrop, and as I read it my only wish was that there had never been a need for it in the first place.
May 15, 2014
This is a biographical story of Luba Trysznska-Frederick, the Angel of Bergen-Belsen. She was a prisoner of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp and one night she thought she heard children calling to her. She went out into the cold and found 54 children left to die. She brought them back to her barracks and convinced the other women to help take care of these children since they reminded her of her own son Isaac, who was taken away from her by the Nazis during the war. The story shares how she managed to evade danger while feeding these children for months on end and keeping them safe from the guards. The text includes an author’s note and prologue in the beginning to prep the reader about the story, as well as an epilogue full of information to help further explain her life post war, as well as the story of the Holocaust. The illustrations do a great job of emoting the sadness, confusion, and danger of being a prisoner at Bergen-Belsen.
This book is appropriate for grades 2-6 because it provides basic information about the war while also sharing an amazing story of hope and compassion, which almost seems impossible to come from such a heinous period of history that was full of destruction, hate, and cruelty.
This book is appropriate for grades 2-6 because it provides basic information about the war while also sharing an amazing story of hope and compassion, which almost seems impossible to come from such a heinous period of history that was full of destruction, hate, and cruelty.
May 8, 2015
Imagine this: you are a Jew from Poland. You're married to Herschel, and you're a young mother to a little boy named Isaac. Your little family is happy together...until the Nazis strike.
The soldiers take you on a fearful train ride, where rumors spread that you're headed to a death camp. They're right: it's Auschwitz. Once you arrive, you're separated from Herschel and baby Isaac is torn from your arms. You will hear his aching, pleading cries of "Mama! Mama!" in your head for years.
Life in Auschwitz is horrible. On your first cold, lonely, scary night, you lie awake in the barracks, wondering why you were spared. Then you hear a sound: was that Isaac crying?
Fifty-four children--destined to be killed but saved at the last minute by a merciful guard--huddle together in the woods. You can't help but think of Isaac when you see those terrified children. Ushering them discreetly into the barracks, you decide to protect these little ones. Thus begins the true story of Luba, a woman of great courage, fearlessness, love, hope, compassion, mercy and bravery.
The illustrations really bring to life the many emotions Luba must have felt: determination, fear, and alternating moments of despair and joy.This is an inspiring story, and a fantastic read!!!
The soldiers take you on a fearful train ride, where rumors spread that you're headed to a death camp. They're right: it's Auschwitz. Once you arrive, you're separated from Herschel and baby Isaac is torn from your arms. You will hear his aching, pleading cries of "Mama! Mama!" in your head for years.
Life in Auschwitz is horrible. On your first cold, lonely, scary night, you lie awake in the barracks, wondering why you were spared. Then you hear a sound: was that Isaac crying?
Fifty-four children--destined to be killed but saved at the last minute by a merciful guard--huddle together in the woods. You can't help but think of Isaac when you see those terrified children. Ushering them discreetly into the barracks, you decide to protect these little ones. Thus begins the true story of Luba, a woman of great courage, fearlessness, love, hope, compassion, mercy and bravery.
The illustrations really bring to life the many emotions Luba must have felt: determination, fear, and alternating moments of despair and joy.This is an inspiring story, and a fantastic read!!!
March 31, 2008
Luba was a Jewish woman in a concentration camp who was only kept alive because she was a nurse and could tend to the guards when it was needed; this book tells the true story of her heroic actions to save children from certain death.
Luba discovered a group of 54 children who had escaped death because the guards, assigned to drop them in a forest and kill them, couldn't bring themselves to do it and just abandoned them there. Luba heard their cries and took them into her barracks, where she convinced the other women to keep her secret while she cared for them all. Luba used her good standing with the guards and staff of the camp to gather food, blankets, first aid supplies, and other necessities for their survival. For many months she cared for them; at the time the British army arrived to free the prisoners she had only lost two of the children to typhus. This in itself was a miracle; Bergen-Belsen was the camp Anne Frank died in, also of typhus, just weeks before liberation. B-B's conditions were so terrible that typhus was rampant and many thousands were so ill at the time of liberation that they died soon after they were freed.
Luba discovered a group of 54 children who had escaped death because the guards, assigned to drop them in a forest and kill them, couldn't bring themselves to do it and just abandoned them there. Luba heard their cries and took them into her barracks, where she convinced the other women to keep her secret while she cared for them all. Luba used her good standing with the guards and staff of the camp to gather food, blankets, first aid supplies, and other necessities for their survival. For many months she cared for them; at the time the British army arrived to free the prisoners she had only lost two of the children to typhus. This in itself was a miracle; Bergen-Belsen was the camp Anne Frank died in, also of typhus, just weeks before liberation. B-B's conditions were so terrible that typhus was rampant and many thousands were so ill at the time of liberation that they died soon after they were freed.
October 12, 2009
This was such a beautiful book and a very close to the heart concentration camp story.
It is a true story of a prisoner who wanders into the woods in the middle of the night because she keeps hearing voices crying "Mama, Mama." There she finds fifty-four children, some just babies in pillowcases, shivering and starving. She brings them back to the barracks and with the help of others feeds and cares and loves them.
All but two chilren survived the terrible ordeal of Bergen-Belsen.
This is a wonderfully presented story that would be a good teaching tool for a 9 or 10 year old.
It is a true story of a prisoner who wanders into the woods in the middle of the night because she keeps hearing voices crying "Mama, Mama." There she finds fifty-four children, some just babies in pillowcases, shivering and starving. She brings them back to the barracks and with the help of others feeds and cares and loves them.
All but two chilren survived the terrible ordeal of Bergen-Belsen.
This is a wonderfully presented story that would be a good teaching tool for a 9 or 10 year old.
November 8, 2010
Inspiring story of a Jewish woman imprisoned at Bergen-Belsen who found 54 children abandoned behind the concentration camp. She knew she might be executed by the Nazis if they caughter her, but despite the danger, she and the other women in her barracks hid and cared for these children. "Their courage is a light for humanity even now, showing that strength, dignity, and hope can take root in even the darkest places."
April 25, 2018
During WWII Luba was separated from her family and put in a concentration camp. Frightened and alone she discovered new purpose and strength when she found fifty four cold, starving, abandoned children. Because of her bravery these children survived through the end of the war. Luda’s story is an uplifting message about courage under the most dangerous situations.
December 3, 2017
A truly inspiring true story! Luba, a selfless hero, saves children during World War II. I love stories of love and hope through tragedy and despair. Excellent book.
January 14, 2021
I have a list titled “Amazing People,” that I add to when I find someone whose story steels a piece of my heart in some way. Many of the people that have made the list I have found by reading non-fiction picture books with my daughter, such as Luba, The Angel of Bergen-Belsen. When I learn of these remarkable individuals it pains me that their names are not well known. How is Luba Tryszynska, Janusz Korczak, Phillis Wheatley & Josephine Baker (just to name a few of the people on my list) not as famous as some of the celebrities we see plastered all over magazine covers? Is there a publication that celebrates the people who truly deserve to have their legacy easily accessible to the masses??
That all being said, read Luba’s story and experiences all the emotions of sadness, anger and hope that it will bring. We all get so wrapped up in our own life and troubles, many of which are legitimate concerns, that we don’t stop to think of those who have suffered much worse yet persisted.
That all being said, read Luba’s story and experiences all the emotions of sadness, anger and hope that it will bring. We all get so wrapped up in our own life and troubles, many of which are legitimate concerns, that we don’t stop to think of those who have suffered much worse yet persisted.
November 2, 2022
This book was based on real events and people, which makes this book ideal for students to read when learning more about the Holocaust. I believe this book targets older children as some of the events could be uncomfortable for younger children to read about. I enjoyed reading about Luba, and the illustrations helped me visualize what the camps looked like and the 'journey' she would have to take to get food for the children. This book gave more knowledge about events that occurred during the Holocaust, especially about who Luba was. I do recommend this book to children because of the events described that you do not hear about enough in textbooks. Also, the author's note and epilogue help readers learn more about that event and what happened after. This is something I would look for in books that focus on real-life events because students can learn more about the event and why the events in that book were important during that war.
July 28, 2010
NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARD (2004)
JANE ADDAMS HONOR BOOK (2003)
Format: Picture book
Age level: Upper elementary
Protagonist: Luba
Brief Summary: This book tells the inspirational tale of a Polish, Jewish woman imprisoned at Bergen-Belsen. After discovering 54 Dutch orphans left in the woods, Luba brings them into the camp and cares for them with the help of other women prisoners.
The pictures are very cool. They're a bit darker, which reflects the mood of the camp, yet there are splashes of color that seem to represent their happiness. Many of the pictures are created with a patchwork feel to them.
JANE ADDAMS HONOR BOOK (2003)
Format: Picture book
Age level: Upper elementary
Protagonist: Luba
Brief Summary: This book tells the inspirational tale of a Polish, Jewish woman imprisoned at Bergen-Belsen. After discovering 54 Dutch orphans left in the woods, Luba brings them into the camp and cares for them with the help of other women prisoners.
The pictures are very cool. They're a bit darker, which reflects the mood of the camp, yet there are splashes of color that seem to represent their happiness. Many of the pictures are created with a patchwork feel to them.
April 25, 2012
Luba, the main character in this story, lived in Bergen-Belsen, the concentration camp during the Holocaust. She risked her life and the lives of the people around her every day in oder to feed and save the children that she found one night in the cold. If she were to be discovered getting food for them and providing them with a place to live then she and all of the people involve would be put to death. Luba end up saving all of the children but one and therefore earning the name the "Angel of Bergen-Belsen". Luba later met up with the children that she had saved, and they all still thank her today for saving their lives.
April 25, 2013
A true story of Luba was nurse at Bergen-Belsen who the guards mistaken for a political prisoner rather than a Jew because she was blonde with blue eyes & spoke German. One night while asleep in her barrack, she hears children crying for their mother; she goes to investigate and discovers a group of children abandoned to die in the cold since their guards, thank goodness, couldn't bring themselves to shot them dead as ordered.
Luba takes them back to her barracks & hides them there till the end of the war. Working herself tirelessly to scrounged up extra rations for them & keep them a secret from her German captures.
Luba takes them back to her barracks & hides them there till the end of the war. Working herself tirelessly to scrounged up extra rations for them & keep them a secret from her German captures.
April 5, 2022
If, like me, you've never heard of Luba Tryszynska, this book is an excellent introduction. I found myself checking the bibliography in the back of the book for a grown up book to read more about her (there is one!). This book is so well done as a picture book for lower-middle grades on up, because it tells the story of Luba finding, hiding, and ultimately saving dozens of children at great risk to herself without delving too deeply into the horrors of a concentration camp. McCann deftly helps young readers to understand the dangers and the gravity of the situation without being too graphic. She also includes a helpful introduction and a gratifying afterword.
February 20, 2022
Wonderful children's picture book about Luba, a woman who rescued 54 children left for dead behind her barrack at Bergen-Belsen. For six months, Luba snuck food & medicine to the children; 52 of them survived to the camp liberation in April 1945.
Illustrations were goregous and story is a really good entry into reading about the Holocaust. The facts were laid out but this particular tale did not have the (very true and real) brutality, gore, or sad ending that many Holocaust stories have.
All-in-all: A FABULOUS read.
Illustrations were goregous and story is a really good entry into reading about the Holocaust. The facts were laid out but this particular tale did not have the (very true and real) brutality, gore, or sad ending that many Holocaust stories have.
All-in-all: A FABULOUS read.
February 17, 2008
The true story/biography of Luba Tryszynska, who during the winter of 1944-1945, helped to save many children at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. A heart-warming story of strength and courage during a horrific period of human existence. Although the subject itself is full of despair and brutal living conditions, Luba embraces the children and helps to feed and nuture them, all the while compromising her own personal safety.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2012
Luba is living in a concentration camp. She is questioning why she is still living when she hears children call for her, mama. Only it is 54 children who were dumped and left to die in the cold. Luba brings them into her barracks and gets the other women to agree to help care for the children. Luba does lots of things in order to get all the children fed. Because of her every child makes it to the liberation of the concentration camp.
July 8, 2011
Another Holocaust hero, but one who is not as well-known as Schindler. This story, too, would make a good movie if the producers were to start soon and contact some of the many "children" that Luba saved. A little dark for a picture book, so I wouldn't put it in the Easy section, but a good addition for a jr/sr high study of the Holocaust.
July 22, 2012
Excellent book on a very difficult subject. One of the better treatments I've seen for children. It gives enough explanation without overwhelming with too much. The illustrations are also really nice - a combination of collage and drawing. The epilogue information was very touching as well. Highly recommended.
June 7, 2018
There are not enough WWII picture books that can compare with this one. Without gore or horrific detail, it tells the beautiful story of the angel of a woman who despite having lost her entire family in the Holocaust, finds and miraculously provides and saves over 50 children at Bergen Belsen concentration camp. Beautifully told and illustrated.
April 25, 2012
It is hard to find a good book about the Holocaust for children. This book is an exception. A wonderful picture book about a Holocaust survivor who helped over 50 children to survive Bergen-Belsen. Ann Marshall's soft oil and collage illustrations and warmth and accompany the text very well.
March 7, 2015
This book has left a big impression on my heart. The images are outstanding and this biographical story is truly a miracle. The strength and love that Luba posses is a model that all humans should live by - her courage and love are remarkable.
November 14, 2017
Wonderful presentation of another WWII unsung hero's story. Appreciated learning of another's experience - this one a bit different than any others I had read, heard, or watched. So inspiring! Great read or read aloud for upper elementary and middle school.
August 7, 2019
Wonderfully written, historical story about a woman who saves a great number of children during the Holocaust. The book has stellar illustrations packed with detail. The introduction and epilogue provide quote a bit of historical information as well. Highly recommend.
May 27, 2021
A beautiful and powerful story of an incredible woman during the Holocaust. The illustrations are stunning and evocative, and you can really feel the struggles of Luba and the rest of the women as much as the joy in the small bits of happiness they're able to snatch. I loved this book.
February 24, 2009
The story is absolutely extraordinary (and true!) and the illustrations are exquisite.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews