Interrupted Lives: Nine Stories of Child Survivors of the Holocaust, by Amanda Friedeman, Kelley Szany

 Available March 4, 2025

This may seem an odd Christmas read but the more I watch the news, the more important it seemed to be to read it now. These are stories of real people, children at the time, who faced the horrors of discrimination. Some were sheltered by sympathetic non-Jewish families, other faced the horrors of the concentration camps. What they have in common is that they survived, scarred and changed forever. Even those who were ultimately reunited with families. The modern images of children in cages calls back this horrific era, one we'd like to believe can never happen again. Often, we're not so sure about that. 

In any case, while I won't detail the nine lives shared here, I'll note that each shares a lesson in life the survivor learned. Each story touched me in different ways, whether imagining the fear of thinking your family has abandoned you to, yes, the horrors of life in a concentration camp. Each story shares a photo of the subject in their more youthful days as well as biographical information that includes where they ultimately began their lives over. There are relatively current photos, too, as well as brief snippet of what they would capsulize as what they learned from their experience that helped them survive and adapt to their "interrupted lives". One woman's story hit home as it stressed her efforts to encourage people to use their power, their vote.

Bottom line, this is an important book, albeit on aimed at young readers. It makes one wonder how we would have survived. IF we would have survived. While undeniably a tough, sad read, it is the reality of our past with hopes it isn't our future. It was inspiring to see how these people have gone on to live and contribute to the world in ways both big and small. My thanks to them for probably reluctantly agreeing to share their stories. Also, thanks #LernerPublishingGroup for making this available for an early read. As a former history teacher who has read many, many books on this era, this one, in its simplicity, managed to touch me. I highly recommend it to not only my teacher friends but those who hope for a better world. Knowing where we were helps us find our way toward a better future.

Stephen King: His Life, Work, and Influences (Young Readers' Edition), by Bev Vincent, Sarah-Jane Smith (Foreword by)

 

Publication Sept. 3, 2024

Although written for young readers, Stephen King fans of all ages will find much to enjoy about this book. It takes you back to King's early childhood, a time when he first realized he enjoyed being frightened, and takes us through his life and career with an interesting look at his books and adaptations of them at the end. While I'm not a regular reader of King, I mean, I don't like being scared, I know I was astonished to see it all in one place, in order, of his writings. Heck, the author even mentions some of King's college aged, more or less, poetry, as well as his various collaborations throughout the years. There are lots and lots of photos, too, not just of King but of his book covers and some of the memorable movie scenes adapted from his work, including two of my favorites, "Stand By Me" (from "The Body") and "The Green Miles" with Tom Hanks. I'm not sure I even knew he was responsible for "Shawshank Redemption" so, well, make that three of my favorites.

In any case, if you want to know where King was in both his life and, so to speak, his head at the time of his multitude of writings, you'll find this book fascinating. I know I did. It was all quite fascinating. I'll also note that while it doesn't delve into the troubled areas of his life, it doesn't sugar-coat it, either, making for genuinely revealing information. I really came to appreciate his wife, too, throughout the story. Most know the story of how she,Tabitha/Tabby (whose photo is shared), rescued his first major hit, "Carrie" from the trash, we also learn how it eventually found a publisher. And, oh, we also learn that while "Carrie" made King famous, he'd also been writing for some twenty years and been published, just not to acclaim. And, and, and....so much more. 

The author does an excellent job not only delving into King's life but connecting life experiences that sparked ideas and even made their way into various novels over the years. You'll definitely come away with a new, improved idea of what is in each and how it came to be, not to mention reminded that despite his prolific ability to write book after book, King never found it easy. That's a good reminder for aspiring writers. Nope, it isn't easy. And, oh, speaking of the writing process, one of my personal favorite books by King, his "On Writing", came about after the accident that came close to taking his life. Details of that are in the book.

Bottom line, if you're a fan or simply curious about Stephen King and his books/writing process, this is an excellent start. Not only are there great photos but the author gives us a selected bibliography and end notes and the appendix is broken down to include books and adaptations. Seeing that lengthy list written down in one place is impressive, at least it was to me. Thanks #QuartoPublishingGroup and #becker&meyer / #becker&meyerKids for sharing this early, fun look into Stephen King's life and work. I had no idea. I'm feeling the urge to go back and reread some of those books now that I know more about where they came from.

Growing Up Powerful Journal: A Confidence Boosting, Totally Inspiring, Joyful Journal, by Nona Willis Aronowitz

 Publication October 10, 2023

I've fallen in love with this entire series of Rebel Girls' books. Even though this one struck me as a bit more of a workbook to guide growth than an actual journal, I felt the same with this one. Divided into five sections: What Is Confidence?, Take Action, Train Your Brain, Build Your Team, and Change the World, it guides the reader from discovering what confidence is to how to use it. 

I won't detail the process, those details are all inside the book, but found it an excellent guide for not only young girls but, quite frankly, something many of us not-so-young ones would find lots of food for thought within. In this day and age when confidence is often perceived as the ability to out talk, usually loudly, others, I loved how this guide takes your though recognizing what true confidence is, how to find it by finding your own strengths, or superpowers as the book dubs them, and then develop them fully. Note the name of the last section, hint hint. We all know how quickly the world and events about us can poke holes in our own confidence, so I appreciated the book's reminder that having confidence doesn't always mean you'll be successful. It empathizes that part of being genuinely confident in yourself and your goals is knowing and accepting that you might fail. Few are wonders at everything on their first try, let's face it. Sigh. If only. 

We need to celebrate even small steps forward, the book reminds us, acknowledging the courage it takes to try ... and try again and again ... to reach our goals. It provides a structured, systematic way to begin, find your own strengths, and work toward what we want as we build our personal support team. There's a great deal of advice shared, yes, but you'll also find various activities and writing prompts to help you find your way. It may lead you out of your comfort zone at times, but it's all part of the process. Oh, and did I mention there are even pictures you can color? Seriously, this book is wonderfully thought out and organized and should be on every young and maybe not-so-young bookshelf. Hmm, it'd make a great gift idea. Thanks #NetGalley and #RebelGirls for giving me this early peek at this powerful work. I wish you'd been around when I was one of those young, uncertain girls.