Title: Liesl’s Ocean Rescue
Author: Barbara Krasner
Illustrator: Avi Katz
Publication Date: October 7, 2014
Book Synopsis:
Liesl’s Ocean Rescue by noted children’s author Barbara Krasner, recounts the story of Liesl Joseph, a 10-year-old girl aboard the ill-fated MS St. Louis. On May 13, 1939, together with her parents and 900 other Jewish refugees they left Germany on the MS. St Louis attempting to seek temporary asylum in Cuba.
Review:
I received an advanced review copy of this book for an honest review.
Liesl Joseph was a 10 year old Jewish girl whose family fled Germany in 1939 with 1000 other Jewish refugees. I didn’t know the story of the MS St. Louis and that they were turned away by Cuba and the U.S.
This is an important story for children to learn and to discuss with adults. Barbara Krasner tells Liesl’s story in a way that children can understand, but also in a positive way which I imagine was a challenge. It includes a bibliography at the end which is a great resource for educators or parents who want to learn more about the St. Louis.
Liesl’s Ocean Rescue is about a difficult time in history but it’s something that children need to learn. I definitely recommend this book as a tool for teaching children about that period of history.
Where to buy the book:
Author’s Bio:
Barbara Krasner is a historian and professor of creative writing. She publishes the popular blog, The Whole Megillah: The Writer’s Resource for Jewish-Themed Story. She runs workshops and conferences for Jewish writers at the Highlights Foundation and in conjunction with the Association of Jewish Libraries. Barbara has a B.A. in German from Douglass College, an M.B.A. in Marketing from the Rutgers Business School and an M.F.A. in Writing for Children & Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is a candidate for the M.A. in Applied Historical Studies at William Paterson University.
Illustrator Avi Katz was born in Philadelphia where he studied in the Schechter and Akiba schools as well as the Fleischer Art Memorial. After three years at U.C. Berkeley he moved to Israel at age 20, where he graduated in Fine Arts from the Bezalel Art Academy. He was the staff artist of the Jerusalem Report Magazine from its first issue in 1990 until 2012, and is active in the international Cartooning for Peace program. He has illustrated over 160 books in Israel and the U.S. including the National Jewish Book Award winning JPS Illustrated Children’s Bible. His books have also won the IBBY Hans Christian Andersen Honors four times and Israel’s Ze’ev Prize six times. His art has been exhibited in Israel, America and Europe.Connect with Avi: Website
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