Sarah’s Key

From Susan Martin author: de Rosnay, Tatiana Sarah’s Key This is a very moving story about a part of World War II history which is unknown to many.  The Vel d’Hiv in France showed the part played by the French during this time.  Sarah and her family are arrested by the French police, and years [...]

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The Postmistress

From Judy Schroback author: Blake, Susan The Postmistress The Postmistress is set in 1941 when our nation was not yet at war. Susan Blake takes us back there and uses a female journalist to capture the  horror that was overtaking Europe.  At the same time a small town near Cape Cod is having its own [...]

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The Invisible Bridge

From Ann Heller author: Orringer, Julie  The Invisible Bridge Plight of Hungarian Jews during WW2 is emotionally haunting as presented by Orringer. Clothed in a love story, the author powerfully depicts Budapest and Paris and antisemitism that surrounds three brothers, their friends and lovers.

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The King’s speech [videorecording]

From Jackie Cantwell The King’s speech [videorecording] Based on the true story of Albert, Duke of York (played by Colin Firth), the second son of King George V and Queen Mary.  His wife, Elizabeth, played by Helena Bonham Carter, is the woman we knew as The Queen Mother. Albert became King George VI.  The film [...]

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Song of the Exile

From Susan Hirschmann author: Davenport, Kiana Song of the Exile This novel of compelling stories of members of a Hawaiian family takes place through the turbulent years of WWII up until statehood in 1959, and sweeps across Europe, Asia and the Pacific.  Kiana is a native Hawaiian author who has thoroughly researched the geography and [...]

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Night

From Nicole Marsh author: Wiesel, Elie Night Night, written by Elie Wiesel is an autobiographical account of his life during the Holocaust. The novel is a short read with easy to understand wording.  Wiesel gives a very vivid account of the heinous and unimaginable acts of cruelty committed by the Nazi’s.  It shows the dehumanization [...]

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The Chosen

From Margie Hartough author: Potak, Chaim The Chosen This book explores the friendship that develops between two Jewish boys in New York City during the Second World War. It weaves together their very different lives, Danny is a Hassidic Jew and Reuven is merely Orthodox.  An accident on the baseball field brings them together and [...]

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The Information Officer

From Eileen Effrat author: Mills, Mark The Information Officer It is the summer of 1942 and the island of Malta is under intense German bombardment. For the Germans, the island is vital as a strategic and military supply port. As the British and Maltese courageously defend the island, a British officer might be killing local [...]

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It Happened in Italy

From Charlene Muhr author: Bettina, Elizabeth It Happened in Italy Elizabeth Bettina’s “It Happened in Italy” is an interesting narrative that emphasizes the acts of kindness and humanity amidst a time of great sadness .Bettina discovers that Campagna, her grandparents small village in southern Italy, had an internment camp for Jews during the Holocaust.  These [...]

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A Woman’s Place

From Ginny Pisciotta author: Austin, Lynn A Woman’s Place This is the story of 4 very different women whose lives become connected  when they work together doing “men’s work” in a defense factory during World War II.  Their circumstances and backgrounds vary greatly, as do their reasons for taking the jobs.  In spite of everything, [...]

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