Encounter Narrative Nonfiction Picture Books Jars of Hope How One Woman Helped Save 2,500 Children During the Holocaust

Amid the horrors of World War II, Irena Sendler was an unlikely and unsung hero. While many people lived in fear of the Nazis, Irena defied them, even though it could have meant her life. This gripping true story of a woman who took it upon herself to help save 2,500 children from the Warsaw Ghetto during the Holocaust is not only inspirational—it's unforgettable.

“This inspiring narrative nonfiction picture book on World War II honors Irena Sendler, a Polish social worker who helps smuggle babies and children out of the ghetto before they're sent to the camps. . . .I love stories like this, true courage in the risk of great danger.”

History is full of stories about women whose love for people they didn't even know changed hundreds or even thousands of lives. During World War II, Irena Sendler helped save 2,500 Jewish children from the Holocaust. . . .Meg Owenson's illustrations will make you feel like you are right there beside Irena as she evades the Nazis and rescues children.-- "New Moon Girls, "Lacey Recommends""
This gripping story of a real-life World War II hero who helped to save 2,500 children from near certain death is sure to inspire young readers.-- "A Mighty Girl, "Telling Her Story: 40 New Books for Women's History Month""
...this book teeters between adventure, stark sadness, and daring, "almost-got-caught" moments that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. . . .Although Jars of Hope is a dark and tragic picture book, Ms. Roy's prose shines with the ultimate triumph of good over evil. Artist Meg Owenson's illustrations are detailed and precise, and her talent is not hidden despite the fact that the colors must, by necessity, be much darker than those shared in the typical picture book.-- "New York Journal of Books"
text and art convey a strong sense of the poor conditions within the ghetto, as well as the dangers faced by Jews and those who tried to help them during WWII.-- "Publishers Weekly"
A beautiful inspiring story that tugs at the heartstrings and makes me want to read more about this fascinating woman. Grab it for your library and classroom and share it!-- "YA Book Nerd"
Digital and traditional art in opaque dark browns and grays illustrates the sinister period and shadowy existence of these saved children. . . .A sensitive, discussable access point for children learning about Holocaust history.-- "Kirkus Reviews"
Each book in the Encounter: Narrative Nonfiction Picture Books series follows the life and work of a notable woman in history, framing her story in a way that young readers can understand. . . .Though careful not to take too many liberties with a historical text, these read like fiction and will spark the interest of many young readers. Each installment has a different illustrator, giving them all a unique flavor, and all have some sort of back matter that recaps the facts gleaned from the story. They vary somewhat in audience ranges but this is an interesting concept with an effective, highly visual approach.-- "Booklist"
Readers learn from the afterword that Sendler survived the war and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize but that she never considered herself a hero, merely someone doing the right thing. Roy's text is enhanced by the somber, expressive illustrations, created digitally and traditionally drawn.-- "School Library Journal"
The dialogue is fictionalized but based on actual events. The illustrations are grey and brown hues of oil paint signifying this dark and dangerous period in history. Mary Skinner, the Director and Producer of the PBS documentary "Irena Sendler: In the Name of Their Mothers," was a content consultant. . . .recommended where there is a demand for illustrated biographies on the subject.-- "Association of Jewish Libraries Reviews"
The evocative illustrations, created digitally and traditionally drawn, filling this illustrated biography add depth to this moving story while making it more accessible to young readers.-- "A Mighty Girl"
-- "Imagination Soup"

Jennifer Roy is the author of "Yellow Star", which won a "Boston Globe-Horn Book" Honor Award for Excellence in Children's Literature and a Sydney Taylor Honor Award. It was a Jewish Book Awards Finalist, an ALA Notable Book, "School Library Journal" Best Book, and a NYPL Top Book for Reading and Sharing Books for the Teenager. She is also the author of "Mindblind "and the coauthor of the Trading Faces series, written""

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