The girls and I love books with historical significance. We have often used books to supplement school lessons and to search for different perspectives for discussion. Liesl's Ocean Rescue documents the story of Liesl Joseph as her family flees Nazi Germany for asylum in Cuba. My middle daughter, Macy, and I read the book and look forward to sharing our reviews with you. We are also participating in the book tour for this book--and the author is giving away a copy via the Rafflecopter at the end of this post.
I received a complimentary copy of this book for use in our review. All opinions and experiences are my own.
Quick Summary of Liesl's Ocean Rescue. 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.
Book Trailer:
My thoughts on Liesl's Ocean Rescue. This was a very well written book for elementary aged children to open conversation about the Holocaust. The illustrations kept the story nestled into its historical time frame--and the story itself was easy to read and easy to share as a family. Unlike many accounts from the time period, the details and depictions used in this book were appropriate for younger children. Aside from supplementing our discussions of the Holocaust--this book opens the door for discussing adversity and strength--and hope.
Macy's Review of Liesl's Ocean Rescue. Liesl's Ocean Rescue was a very good and
informational book. The author offered all of the
information needed but, instead of using big words that children cannot
understand, she used words that kids can understand and gave the same message. She clearly told every important event that
happened. She told the events that led up to Liesl’s need for an ocean adventure instead
of jumping into the story. She also made
sure to address that the people were speaking in German even though she was
writing the words in English. I liked the illustrations--they fit the historical content very well. I think it was a very good book.
Would we recommend Liesl's Ocean Rescue? Both my daughter and I felt that it was a very good book. We both agreed that it could easily have been a chapter book as we felt that there was so much more to Liesl's story that we would have liked to have learned. I would recommend this book to families--especially those homeschooling--or to teachers seeking supplemental reading for history units on the subject. I do think the text is geared toward older readers--but, the subject is handled in a way suitable for younger listeners as well.
About the Author.
Connect with Barbara: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Blog
About the Illustrator:
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
Enter to Win a Copy of Liesl's Ocean Rescue
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