The Light of Days Young Readers' Edition: The Untold Story of Women Resistance Fighters in Hitler's Ghettos
by Judy Batalion (Author)
This young readers’ edition of the blockbuster New York Times bestseller is the remarkable untold story of the young Jewish women who became resistance fighters against the Nazis during World War II. It has already been optioned by Steven Spielberg for a major motion picture.
As their communities were being destroyed, groups of Jewish women and teenage girls across Poland began transforming Jewish youth groups into resistance factions. These “ghetto girls” helped build systems of underground bunkers, paid off the Gestapo, and bombed German train lines.
At the center of the book is eighteen-year-old Renia Kukielka, who traveled across her war-torn country as a weapons smuggler and messenger. Other women who joined the cause served as armed fighters, spies, and saboteurs, all risking their lives for their missions.
Never before chronicled in full, this is the incredible account of the strong Jewish women who fought back against the seemingly unstoppable Nazi regime. It follows the women through arrests, internment, and for a lucky few, into the late 20th century and beyond.
It also includes an eight-page insert of black-and-white photos, so that readers can see firsthand the extraordinary women who bravely fought for their freedom in the face of overwhelming odds.
* A Mighty Girl's Book of the Year * A Sydney Taylor Notable Book *
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School Library Journal
Gr 8 Up--Batalion undertakes a huge task in describing the life and work of several unsung heroines among the resistance fighters in Hitler's Polish ghettos, namely Warsaw, Krakow, and Bedzin. These young women, aged in their late teens or early 20s, often served as smugglers or saboteurs, but many served as couriers, especially if they could pass as non-Jews or as Polish Christians. The women were more likely to be successful because young men would have been arrested. Fourteen young women, not all of the same (but cooperating) underground movements, are featured in this text. A list of the women at the beginning of the text is most helpful. In addition to their name, it often contains pronunciation, location, and the name of the underground group with which they were affiliated. The general format describes the life of each woman, how she functioned in her given tasks, and a brief description of her post-war life; some women went to Palestine to live, while others went and chose not to stay there. The text begins with a map of Poland and closes with an epilogue, an author's note, an acknowledgment, a glossary, source notes, and further reading. VERDICT A good selection to add depth to a WWII collection. Previous knowledge of the subject will be a necessity to fully understand this title.--Eldon Younce, Anthony P.L., KS
Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
"This valuable chronicle fills an important gap in Holocaust literature." — Kirkus Reviews
"A valuable addition to Holocaust literature." — Booklist
"Batalion offers important information and corrects misperceptions that young readers may bring to the subject. Highly recommended." — Jewish Book Council
JNF007120 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Women
JNF025090 - Juvenile Nonfiction | History | Holocaust
JNF049110 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Religion | Judaism
Jews
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)
Poland
Jewish women in the Holocaust
Personal narratives
Persecutions
Jewish resistance
