Survivors: True Stories of Children in the Holocaust

I am reading a really great book called Survivors: True Stories of Children in the Holocaust.  I've read about half of the book this weekend, but wanted to tell you about it now because I am enjoying it so much.  This is a book of 8 stories of different children and how they survived the Holocaust.  Like the book warns at the very beginning, the stories can be difficult to read.  It’s hard to believe children could have survived something like this.  But they are all stories of survival and the chidlren's will to live.  What I enjoyed the most are the last few paragraphs of each of the stories.  It lets you know what happened to these brave children after the war and how they overcame their horrible experiences.  (So far, they've all been happy endings!)

Looking for an inspirational book to read?  Try this out!

Day 2 of school!

Today was our 2nd day of class.  As I was leaving class earlier today I was thinking, "now I can really start getting excited!  Only one more class, and then we leave!"

Today in class we talked more about the invasion of Poland and then specifically about how the concentration camps evolved into death camps.  Just before our lunch break we also talked about the AUschwitz book.  (The big thick one I had at school!)

Today we also looked at quite a few maps.  Many of the maps had Terezin (Theresienstadt) marked.  I was able to make a connection, because I went to Terezin in 2008.  Terezin was considered a transport camp because Jews were taken out of Prague, and brought to Terezin, before being sent to other camps.  Most were sent to Auschwitz.  Just like what I'll see in Auschwitz, there is an archway with the saying "Arbeit Macht Frei."  Here are 2 pictures I took in 2008:

The one thing that stuck in my brain the most from what I learned today is when all the Jewish families were forced to leave their homes and their neighborhoods, they were allowed one suitcase.  Only one suitcase to put all of their belongings into.  That's it.  That's all they got.  Do you think you would be able to fit everything that was special to you in only one suitcase? 

Here is a picture of a 13 year old Hana Brady's suitcase...

Source

There is actually a book about Hana, called Hana's Suitcase, and I think Mrs. McDonough has the book!  (I bet if you ask her to borrow it, she'd let you, if you'd like to look at it.)  Hana lived in Czechoslovakia and was forced to leave her home.  First, she went to Terezin (where I visited), and then later to Auschwitz.  Sadly, she died at Auschwitz, but her story lived on because of her suitcase.  You should read the book to see why it's such a great story!

So that's what I learned about today!  Only one more class on April 9th... and then it's time to leave for Poland!  I'm starting to make a pile of things that I'll need for the trip in my room.  I got a backpack last weekend that has a padded laptop space in it, which will be important so I can bring my computer and do this blog!  I also picked up my journal, something I always do when I travel.  I started to read my travel book about Krakow that my Aunt Sue gave me for Christmas.  I took some notes on where I want to go if I have some free time.  What I really need to figure out now is the weather... how chilly will it really be while I am there!?  Any ideas?

Only 6 more weeks until take off!