A Queen to the Rescue: The Story of Henrietta Szold, Founder of Hadassah

In this accessible, comprehensive picture book profile, Churnin introduces white Jewish activist Henrietta Szold (1860-1945), born in Baltimore and later Palestine-based, who, inspired by Queen Esther and the Purim story, devoted her life to assisting others. From founding night schools for adult immigrant language learners to editing for the Jewish Publication Society, both in the U.S., and providing interfaith health care, food, and education for individuals in Palestine, Szold took action when she saw those in need. Through the women's social justice charity she founded--which she named Hadassah, after Queen Esther's name in Hebrew--she even "saved 11,000 children" from Holocaust displacement in a program called Youth Aliyah. Elegant, assured prose ("The air was thick with tears for lost loved ones"), accentuated by facts and data, will keep readers absorbed alongside Nayberg's engrossingly abstract, fluid illustrations, tinted in rich hues of blue-green and red. A moving biography of a lesser-known heroine. Back matter includes an author's note, more information on Purim, a timeline, and a bibliography. Ages 8-13. (Oct.)

Henrietta Szold dedicated her entire life to aiding the most vulnerable.

As a young child she saw her mother and rabbi father helping escaped slaves in Civil War-era Baltimore. She felt a connection to the Purim holiday and a kinship with Queen Esther, who bravely saved the Jews from the evil Haman. Although women had few opportunities to be heard, Henrietta was determined to emulate Esther and make a difference in the world. She saw Jewish immigrants facing dire poverty and discrimination and took the first of many giant leaps. She opened a night school for immigrants to learn English, and she became the first editor of the Jewish Publication Society. She founded Hadassah—using Queen Esther's Hebrew name—a women's organization dedicated to raising funds to address hunger and disease among people of every faith in British-controlled Palestine, and established her own residence there. When Hitler came to power she worked tirelessly to rescue as many Jewish children as possible and, with the support of Hadassah, saved thousands. Churnin presents Szold's accomplishments with careful attention to historical accuracy. The explanation of Hitler's extreme actions to destroy all Jews is informative, cogent, and accessible to young readers. The author's tone is admiring, stressing Szold's determination, courage, and endless compassion and reiterating her connection to the lessons of Purim. Nayberg employs light and shadow with elongated figures to illustrate the events and express the entire range of emotions felt by Szold, the people with whom she worked, and those whose lives she affected.

A powerful introduction to a little known, very brave woman.—starred, Kirkus Reviews