Fourteen unforgettable true stories of children hidden away during World War II
Jaap Sitters was only eight years old when his mother cut the yellow stars off his clothes and sent him, alone, on a fifteen-mile walk to hide with relatives. It was a terrifying night, one he would never forget. Before the end of the war, Jaap would hide in secret rooms and behind walls. He would suffer from hunger, sickness, and the looming threat of Nazi raids. But he would live.
This is just one of the incredible stories told in HIDDEN LIKE ANNE FRANK, a collection of eye-opening first-person accounts that share what it was like to go into hiding during World War II. Some children were only three or four years old when they were hidden; some were teenagers. Some hid with neighbors or family, while many were with complete strangers. But all know the pain of losing their homes, their families, even their own names. They describe the secret network of brave people who kept them safe. And they share the coincidences and close escapes that made all the difference.
*Received for review via NetGalley, Scholastic, and Marcel Prins & Peter Henk Steenhuis*
This book was powerful, and definitely not for those looking for a light and carefree read. Each chapter starts out with a photo of the person before the war, most of them are small, happy children.
It's hard to describe reading these true stories. I felt intrigued, because I wanted to know how the person survived. I also felt deeply saddened, because I know that so many people didn't survive. And it's clear in these accounts that many of these children and teenagers didn't have much of a family after the war.
The Holocaust is hard for me to wrap my head around. I don't understand how any one person could be so cruel, let alone a group of people. I can understand why people wouldn't believe that it happened, because it's so horrific. I'm glad that there are books like this though, so that we can remember what really happened and make sure nothing like it ever happens again.
I do recommend this book, but be warned about how heart-wrenching some of these stories are.
Okay, I'm bored and wanted to do a blog post, but since I've been spending way too much time playing video games instead of reading, I haven't finished the book I'm working on. So that led me to thinking about what other books I haven't finished/haven't even started that I have no excuse for not reading!
1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins-Catching Fire & Mockingjay- Everyone kept telling me how great and amazing The Hunger Games were, but I honestly didn't pick up the first book until after I saw the movie. Now I think I'm just being lazy, like why read it when I can just wait and watch it? haha which is completely the opposite of how I usually am with movies and books.
2. Allegiant by Veronica Roth- I read Divergent and Insurgent like crazy fast, but for some reason I keep picking up and putting back down Allegiant. It's not that the book isn't good, and I don't know why I can't focus on it, but I really do need to just finish it, otherwise I'm afraid I'll have to just restart it.
3. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld- I'm so far behind the bandwagon on this one! I loved the author's other series, The Midnighter's, but when I tried reading Uglies years ago it just didn't hold my attention. I'm vowing to try again though cause it's always annoyed me that I didn't finish this one! haha Hopefully this time I'll have better luck....or maybe the book does just suck...idk?
4. The Anita Blake Series by Laurell K. Hamilton- I'm putting the whole series down, cause I am so far behind that I don't even know how many books behind I really am! Also, it's been so long since I've read this series that I feel like I need to re-read it to re-antiquate myself with the characters. There are SO many books though...
A twisty story about love, loss, and lies, this contemporary oceanside adventure is tinged with a touch of dark magic as it follows seventeen-year-old Wendy Darling on a search for her missing surfer brothers. Wendy’s journey leads her to a mysterious hidden cove inhabited by a tribe of young renegade surfers, most of them runaways like her brothers. Wendy is instantly drawn to the cove’s charismatic leader, Pete, but her search also points her toward Pete's nemesis, the drug-dealing Jas. Enigmatic, dangerous, and handsome, Jas pulls Wendy in even as she's falling hard for Pete. A radical reinvention of a classic, Second Star is an irresistible summer romance about two young men who have yet to grow up--and the troubled beauty trapped between them.
*Received via NetGalley, Macmillian Children's Pub., and Alyssa B. Sheinmel*
I didn't think it was possible to equally love and hate a book this much!!!!
On the one hand, I loved this book, it was amazingly written and the characters were awesome. Pete and Jas are both cool and smokin hot, and have loads of drama, but so does Wendy.
This Peter Pan remix was nice, new, and fresh. It makes me really want to learn how to surf now, even though I'm sure I'd drown or get eaten by a shark on my first voyage out!
I hated the way this book ended. It left me feeling like, what's next? and that's it? I want more to this story, it doesn't feel finished! Or maybe it's just that it didn't end in any way like I wanted.
I would highly recommend this book though! It was an amazing read, even if the story didn't go where I wanted it to.
Follow the rules. Remember what happened. Never fall in love.
This is the story of seventeen-year-old Prenna James, who immigrated to New York when she was twelve. Except Prenna didn’t come from a different country. She came from a different time—a future where a mosquito-borne illness has mutated into a pandemic, killing millions and leaving the world in ruins.
Prenna and the others who escaped to the present day must follow a strict set of rules: never reveal where they’re from, never interfere with history, and never, ever be intimate with anyone outside their community. Prenna does as she’s told, believing she can help prevent the plague that will one day ravage the earth.
But everything changes when Prenna falls for Ethan Jarves. -Goodreads.com
*Received via NetGalley, Random House Children's Pub., and Ann Brashares for review*
This book caught my attention from the very beginning. It's an interesting idea, fleeing a horrible future to live in the past because there is just no where else left to go.
As far as the characters go, I really liked Ethan, he's like the perfect guy, sweet, funny, attractive, and smart! I liked Prenna too, although she had moments where I really just didn't understand her.
I hated Prenna's mom though. She's a horrible mom, and yet Prenna is all forgiving and makes excuses for why she acts the way she does. Her mom and all the other adults are cowards in my opinion.
There is so much tension between Prenna and Ethan. And it's sweet and sad at the same time.
I really wonder if this is going to be a stand alone book or if there's another one? I would read a sequel to this, cause I feel there are still so many questions not answered.
My only complaint is that I really don't like the cover. I find it kind of bland and not very eye-catching. Although, I know I should judge a book based on it's cover!
Everyone has a lot to say about Alice Franklin, and it’s stopped mattering whether it’s true. The rumors started at a party when Alice supposedly had sex with two guys in one night. When school starts everyone almost forgets about Alice until one of those guys, super-popular Brandon, dies in a car wreck that was allegedly all Alice’s fault. Now the only friend she has is a boy who may be the only other person who knows the truth, but is too afraid to admit it. Told from the perspectives of popular girl Elaine, football star Josh, former outcast Kelsie, and shy genius Kurt, we see how everyone has a motive to bring – and keep – Alice down. -Goodreads
*Received via NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing, and Jennifer Mathieu for honest review*
This book was a little bit darker and more deep than what I expected, but it was a good read. It showed just how much and how quickly rumors can spread out of control. Also, that words do hurt, sometimes even more than something physical would have. This book was also a good reminder to me of how much I don't miss high school! haha Not that my high school experience was anything like this.
Throughout this book, in the perspective of these other four high schoolers, we learn who Alice Franklin is, the real Alice. I enjoyed switching between the characters, which I usually don't, but it just felt right with this book.
I especially loved Kurt, since I can't help but love nerds. haha He also is the only character that is honest, and someone who I would want to have as a friend.
I was also really happy with how this book ended, it felt almost bitter sweet in the ending, and was just perfect for me, and the mood I'm in now. I would definitely recommend checking it out.
*Received via NetGalley, Portable Magic Ltd., and Natasha Mostert for review*
From the award-winning author of Season of the Witch, comes a highly original story of murder, redemption, eternal love and destiny. WINDWALKER will keep you on the edge of your seat. And break your heart.
When photographer, Justine Callaway, walks into the deserted English mansion, Paradine Park, she doesn’t suspect that she is opening the door to the greatest mystery–and magic–of her life.
Justine becomes obsessed by the family who used to live in the house, especially the oldest son, Adam Buchanan. But why is she so drawn to a man who had killed his brother nine years before? And why, as she photographs the house, does she discover ghostly images she knows she did not record?
Even more unsettling, she senses someone is stalking her, watching her...
- Goodreads
I loved this! It's beautiful, strange, exotic, and just plain addictive to read. I couldn't wait to pick this back up and immerse myself in these people's lives. It was so interesting and heartbreaking at the same time!
This book focuses heavily on reincarnation and not only having a life path that is predestined for us, but also having a soul-mate that we're searching for throughout all our joined lives.
Adam and Justine are living a world apart from each other, but they still sense each other and it's only a matter of time before their paths must cross.
The whole concept on this story intrigued me and I really enjoyed it, especially how it was written. I love the way Natasha Mostert writes, it's almost like poetry, it just speaks to me so deeply and makes me feel!
At first I really didn't understand what the point of having The Watcher, who likes to watch Justin and is pretty much stalking her, but I felt it added a good bit of suspense to the story.
I loved the characters in this, and even though this isn't a romance in the traditional sense, I felt that overall this book was very romantic, especially toward the end.
I think I would have liked this better without the epilogue, but I'm not really complaining because I loved everything else so much.
The Clave is pleased to announce the newest edition of the Nephilim’s oldest and most famous training manual: the Shadowhunter’s Codex. Since the thirteenth century, the Codex has been the young Shadowhunter’s best friend. When you’re being swarmed by demons it can be easy to forget the finer points of obscure demon languages or the fastest way to stop an attack of Raum demons. With the Codex by your side, you never have to worry.
Now in its twenty-seventh edition, the Codex covers it all: the history and the laws of our world; how to identify, interact with, and if necessary, kill that world’s many colorful denizens; which end of the stele is the end you write with. No more will your attempt to fight off rogue vampires and warlocks be slowed by the need to answer endless questions from your new recruits: What is a Pyxis? Why don’t we use guns? If I can’t see a warlock’s mark, is there a polite way to ask him where it is? Where do we get all our holy water? Geography, History, Magic, and Zoology textbook all rolled into one, the Codex is here to help new Shadowhunters navigate the beautiful, often brutal world that we inhabit.
- Goodreads.com
I was so disappointed by this companion book. I didn't expect it to be way better than Cassandra Clare's other books, but I did expect it to have more new information into The Mortal Instruments series. There was nothing new in this. If you've read the books, including The Infernal Devices trilogy, then none of this supposedly secret and heavily guarded information is new.
I absolutely hated the way this was written also. I was thinking that since it's an ancient codex that the writing would be different, more "smart" and textbook like maybe. This felt really rushed, stupid, and sloppy. I think the only way I would have enjoyed this is if I'd read it when I was way younger, and before I'd finished the majority of the books. (I only have the sixth TMI book left, City of Heavenly Fire, which won't be released until the end of this upcoming May).
Overall, my vote is just to skip this book and read Clare's other works. This was just a waste of time for me.
