They hid wherever they could for as long as it took the Allies to win the war — Jewish children, frightened, alone, often separated from their families. For months, even years, they faced the constant danger of discovery, fabricating new identities at a young age, sacrificing their childhoods to save their lives. These secret survivors have suppressed these painful memories for decades. Now, in … in The Hidden Children, 23 adult survivors share their moving wartime experiences — some for the first time.
There is Rosa, who hid in an impoverished one-room farmhouse with three others, sleeping on a clay pallet behind a stove; Renee, who posed as a Catholic and was kept in a convent by nuns who knew her secret; and Richard, who lived in a closet with his family for thirteen months. Their personal stories of belief and determination give a voice, at last, to the forgotten. Inspiring and life-affirming, The Hidden Children is an unparalleled document of witness, discovery, and the miracle of human courage.
more
Very informative regarding the lives of Jewish children during the Holocaust and how many of them managed to survive without their parents or other adults to help them hide from the Nazis. Also told of the bravery of Christians who did choose to raise these children for their parents, and then the results of these decisions on those children. The children whose parents came back for them were quite confused over their religious beliefs when returned to Jewish homes and they had been raised to believe they were Christians. Many times their parents were total strangers to them and they had to go live with them, or their foster parents had had them so long they refused to return them which ended up with their lives decided by the courts. How many of these children managed to hide themselves as well as feed and clothe themselves was nothing short of miraculous. These children totally missed their childhood as they had to make adult decisions and many times commit murder in order to survive. It is no wonder they chose not to tell anyone up until now of their lives during this terrible time in their lives!
I only chose “scary” because something like this, could conceivably happen again.
A thoughtful and mind opening look at The Holocaust from the remembrance’s of children living through that frightening and life changing period of Horror in our worlds history.
A true account of the children of war
Made my heart cry.
This book looks at a different kind of survivor. It was tragic, of course, but interesting. It made me consider things I never had before.
Mans inhumanity to men and women and in this book Children. Eye opening. In the past I have read stories of adults but the children. Especially those placed in different families or orphanages. It added a whole new understanding of the tragedies of the holocaust
Very interesting and informative. Give one something to think about and learn what the WW II years where like. The brainwashing that was done to all the Jews and NONE Jews. Those poor children and now adults what they had to face during and after!! So glad they where brave enough to share so we could understand what they went through. A book that will stay with me for a long time. Pray that this never happens again!!
Amazing stories…this happened to mere children! A sobering reminder of the horrors of WW2
A different aspect of the Holocaust. How anyone could deny the emotional impact of the war on these children is completely beyond me. Just because one person’s experience is different that does not mean it is to be discounted. Read this book and count your blessings.
I have read other stories about the “lost children” and really enjoyed this one as well. The courage of their parents amazes me! The stories these now-adults tell of being hidden during WWII are awe-inspiring.
The horrors of WWII and impact on families and children
Very interesting. I didn’t know there were so many hidden children. It was interesting and incredibly sad to see how they were impacted by their experience throughout their lives.
Very informative books, and is inspirational that these people were able to survive.
Illuminating to an overwhelming degree, of the true extent of a system bent on genocide. It concentrated on the Children, the future, and here they are speaking as adults what they could not speak then.
Good historical record during Hitler era.
I much prefer an entire biography or novel than something chopped up into short stories. It was just ok.
such brave children and adults ……one can only imagine what they went through…to read about it is one thing …..
I’ve read SO many books on the holocaust, and this book managed to bring a new approach. Great writing; the author obviously cares about the subject.
Very repetitive