A young Jewish girl growing up in Vilna, Poland is suddenly transported to a Siberian work camp at the beginning of World War II. This is her story ofA young Jewish girl growing up in Vilna, Poland is suddenly transported to a Siberian work camp at the beginning of World War II. This is her story of the war years in Siberia and her feelings upon her release.
Extremely well done biography. Sensitive, realistic.
Merged review:
A young Jewish girl growing up in Vilna, Poland is suddenly transported to a Siberian work camp at the beginning of World War II. This is her story of the war years in Siberia and her feelings upon her release.
Extremely well done biography. Sensitive, realistic....more
Story of Walt Disney's life from childhood to death. Simply written. Emphasis on bad experiences with father - makes image not so nice.Story of Walt Disney's life from childhood to death. Simply written. Emphasis on bad experiences with father - makes image not so nice....more
Story of the author's life during WWII, when she was a young girl in Holland, and Jewish. The book deals with her experience of hiding from the Nazi'sStory of the author's life during WWII, when she was a young girl in Holland, and Jewish. The book deals with her experience of hiding from the Nazi's at a Gentile's home. Very good....more
The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted our normal book club meeting, but I'm glad I listened to the book anyway. This is the story of Fred Rogers, essentiallThe Covid-19 pandemic disrupted our normal book club meeting, but I'm glad I listened to the book anyway. This is the story of Fred Rogers, essentially from birth to beyond his death. I don't remember his program in my childhood (or much tv for that matter), but I remember watching it with my own children. I had no idea of his level of commitment to childhood learning and developmental practices until reading this book. He was an amazing individual with strong character traits for good. Really a fascinating look into a beloved but often overlooked/demeaned individual. Really well done....more
The story of Lee from the time he was 10 until he was 59. It's emphasis is on his life other than during the Civil War. Shows his very humanitarian, lThe story of Lee from the time he was 10 until he was 59. It's emphasis is on his life other than during the Civil War. Shows his very humanitarian, loving, and intellectual sides.
Well done. Illustrations few but descriptive....more
Chapters deal with a different political figure in American history. All eventually were senators in the U.S. Congress. Each senator was chosen for anChapters deal with a different political figure in American history. All eventually were senators in the U.S. Congress. Each senator was chosen for an act of political courage.
Biography of a very intelligent young girl who left her native home in Scotland to join her father a British soldier fighting in the French and IndianBiography of a very intelligent young girl who left her native home in Scotland to join her father a British soldier fighting in the French and Indian War in America. Excerpts form Anne's own writings make it much more believable and real and gives an excellent description of how Americans from several different colonies (and nationalities) felt toward the British just prior to the Revolution. Anne grew to love America, which she left and never returned to when she was in her teens. Her descriptions and insights are powerful....more
Illustrated by Michael Hampshire. Published by Thomas Y. Crowell Co., NY.
Story of how Osaga Indian, Maria Tallchief studied and became one of America'Illustrated by Michael Hampshire. Published by Thomas Y. Crowell Co., NY.
Story of how Osaga Indian, Maria Tallchief studied and became one of America's finest ballet dancers. Story goes from birth to 41 when she gave up dancing. Simply and easily written. Illustrations very realistic - almost like photos in detail....more
Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony spearheaded the fight initially for anti-slavery and then switched over to the fight for women's rights, eElizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony spearheaded the fight initially for anti-slavery and then switched over to the fight for women's rights, especially the right to vote. For more than 50 years, the two wrote and gave speeches, stumped the country, and rallied women and men to the cause meanwhile maintaining an amazing friendship. Their efforts were finally successful when the 19th amendment was passed in 1920, but neither lived long enough to see it happen.
Interesting story on how long and valiantly they fought for a cause they believed in. Lots of details - almost too many - dragged in the second half. Good book to read as we get ready to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment....more
The story of Robert E. Lee's life, in great detail, from birth to death. It emphasizes his humanity, genius, and great devotion to his family, state aThe story of Robert E. Lee's life, in great detail, from birth to death. It emphasizes his humanity, genius, and great devotion to his family, state and nation. Very detailed - for a more advanced reader in comprehension and endurance....more
The story of Lawrence's life and campaigns while he was in Arabia during WWI. Slight background information. Deals with war years exclusively. Very inThe story of Lawrence's life and campaigns while he was in Arabia during WWI. Slight background information. Deals with war years exclusively. Very interesting and understandable.
Pictures are sketches in ink, but appropriates....more
Story of Joseph from pre-existence through death. Mentions that other prophets have been chosen since and warns that we should thank Heavenly Father iStory of Joseph from pre-existence through death. Mentions that other prophets have been chosen since and warns that we should thank Heavenly Father in our prayers for prophets if we want to return to him. Slightly preachy and skips over much. Assumes readers will understand concepts like "priesthood" and "temples". Illustrations are not totally consistent (for time period) and are deceptive.
Author has not improved much since "Tithing" book....more
A brief history for younger children of JFK. Shows only heroic and prestigious moments. Illustrations are fairly good. Has a "key word" list.A brief history for younger children of JFK. Shows only heroic and prestigious moments. Illustrations are fairly good. Has a "key word" list....more
The true account of Elie's family being taken from Transylvania in 1944 to the concentrations camps. He and his father go first to Birkenau/Auschwitz,The true account of Elie's family being taken from Transylvania in 1944 to the concentrations camps. He and his father go first to Birkenau/Auschwitz, then to Gleiwitz and finally to Buchenwald where he stayed until it's liberation by the Americans in April 1945. He's only 15 during the year he was imprisoned and watched his father die in Jan 1945. He later won the Nobel Peace Prize. The book is very highly reviewed, but I was not overwhelmingly impressed. His family seemed to be totally unaffected by the war until 1955 - an amazing feat and then he was in the camps less than a year. Didn't seem like they went through as much comparably to other survivors.
Zlata wrote a diary of her life in Sarejevo during the war. Written from an 12 year old point of view it complains about shootings & bombings, lack ofZlata wrote a diary of her life in Sarejevo during the war. Written from an 12 year old point of view it complains about shootings & bombings, lack of electricity, food, water, and gas, and of being bored because they were forced to stay indoors for much of the time to avoid snipers and bombings.
There’s a list of people at the beginning, but so many people are mentioned throughout the book that it was hard to keep them straight. When it was published it was compared to “The Diary of Anne Frank”. For my money, read Anne. ...more
Actor Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1991 at the age of 30. He revealed his diagnosis to the public in 1998, and retired froActor Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1991 at the age of 30. He revealed his diagnosis to the public in 1998, and retired from the sitcom “Spin City” in 2000. Unsure of what he would do for the rest of his life, the formation of the Michael J. Fox Foundation to find a cure for PD, filled that void. Broken into four sections, this biography discusses how the past ten years of his life have been influenced by Work, Politics, Faith, and Family. This is a humorous, but eye-opening discussion of what has driven him since his “retirement”, especially his fight for stem-cell research, as well as an enlightening description of Parkinson’ Disease.
Latifa is 16 years old and an aspiring journalism student in Kabul when the Taliban took over the city. Immediately, her life changed. The youngest ofLatifa is 16 years old and an aspiring journalism student in Kabul when the Taliban took over the city. Immediately, her life changed. The youngest of five children of a businessman and a female gynecological nurse specialist, she’s lived a fairly western type of school-girl life for her first 16 years. After the take-over, she is no longer able to go to school and restricts herself to her home after a few forays reveal the horror of the Taliban restrictions on women. She, and her mother, become despondent and develop some medical difficulties they are unable to get treated in Afghanistan. She eventually is drawn out of her depression by starting an illegal school for some of the neighborhood children. In 2001, she and her parents are invited to France to talk about the problem women have encountered under the Taliban. While there, a fatwa is issued against them and they remain in Paris in exile – just prior to the 9/11 attacks and the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. The book is interesting, but she talks as much about the Russian rule of her earlier years as she does of the Taliban and the end is rushed and confusing.
The last part of the book is quite unfocused – talking about her siblings, Russian rule, previous traditions they observed, such as flying kites and wedding traditions, etc. It leaves the impression that she didn’t quite know how to end her story and wanted to go back and talk of other things first. NOT particularly well written, but interesting, especially with the interest in the Taliban and Afghanistan since 9/11....more