The Butterfly

Author & Illustrator:   Patricia Polacco
Publisher:  Philomel
Publication Year:   2000
Location: Knox County Public Library- Halls

Awards: School Library Journal & Kirkus starred reviews, Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People

Summary:  Monique lives in France during the Nazi occupation when she discovers that her family has hidden a Jewish family with a young daughter named Sevrine. Although she is scared of the Nazi soldiers, she does not let on that she has discovered Sevrine's existence and the two girls become friends. Monique brings Sevrine gifts from the outside - flowers, earth, and even a butterfly. When the next door neighbor sees Sevrine, the family must run taking Monique's beloved pet with them and leaving a gold Star of David necklace in return.  One day months later, tens of butterflies visit Monique in her garden and she is sure that they are a sign from Sevrine of her family's safety.

Classroom Ideas: A beautiful addition to any class study of World War II and the Holocaust, as well as a story of bravery and friendship.

Extras: In the author's note, Polacco explains that this is a family story of her great-aunt Marcel and her aunt Monique. Sevrine and Monique continue to be friends.

The Cats in Krasinki Square

Author: Karen Hesse
Illustrator: Wendy Watson
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication Year: 2004
Location: Personal Collection

Awards: Sydney Taylor Book Awards Honor Book 2004 Older Readers, ALA Notable Book for Children 2005

Summary: This is a book about a  Jewish girl living in Warsaw during the Nazi occupation. The girl and her sister and friends use stray cats to trick the Nazi gestapo to smuggle food into the Ghetto. This book could be used with young children as a lesson in bravery.

Classroom Ideas: I used this book in my 5th grade classroom each year when teaching about World War II and the Nazis' treatment of other Europeans. The washed out colors of the illustrations perfectly convey the sadness of the time period without delving too deeply into the horrors of the Holocaust. The factual information in the afterward gives details about the true story that forms the basis for the book.