Resistance (Scholastic Gold)

This book blew my socks off! I've read Nielsen before and enjoyed her books, but this one takes the cake and the icing and the candles and all the presents too! I've been reading a lot of Holocaust fiction lately and I had my eye on this book for a while. It was released just last month and I picked it up almost as soon as Amazon delivered it. At first, I was nervous that I wasn't going to like Chaya. She seemed to have an air of superiority about her that didn't suit her. She was quick to acknowledge her own service and sacrifice. That did get much better the further into the book I got. She became believable and realistic with her fear and courage. Esther was more pitiful than anything but it was nice to see her grow and mature throughout the story. The resistance network in Poland was impressive and even though I knew the history and what happened, I found myself hoping that just this once, things would turn out differently. I've been thinking a lot about the Jews and other victims of the Holocaust, that something like that would never happen in America because our mindset is completely different from Europeans. I am by no means victim-shaming, I'm simply pointing out that Americans, with our guns and natural rebelliousness, would have put up far more of a fight. This book showed that there were many people who showed that "not all sheep go like lambs to the slaughter." I loved seeing how people refused to be cowed and exterminated without resisting. The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, though technically a failure, is shown to be such a heroic effort in this book. I've never studied it in detail, but the people involved in the Uprising were people of courage and hope and I was so inspired by their sacrifices. I also appreciated how Nielsen showed the impact of young people in the resistance. In the face of such evil and the slaughter of their people, even teens took up arms and were willing to sacrifice themselves to save the lives of people they didn't know. This is another book that every single middle and high school history teacher should have on his or her shelf as required reading. I found myself tearing up at the end and then wanting reread it all over again! I cannot say enough good about this book and I recommend it to everyone, especially any teen!

Bravo! That is the one word I thought to use after I finished this amazing novel. Bravo. This story follows Chaya who, after her family is split apart during the war, decides to use her job as a courier (adopting a Polish persona) and joins a Jewish resistance group called Akiva. The story skirts along actual events that took place in several ghettos throughout Poland. After a semi-botched event, Chaya is separated from her group, only to find that one is left and that their mission has become more dire and important than she ever imagined. As I said before, this story centers around actual events and actual people like Chaya and those we are introduced to in a fictional and nonfictional sense. Chaya is courageous in every sense. She stands for every brave soul who fought for their freedom. Those whose stories we don't know. She had her share of heartache, but rises above it. She knows she cannot save everyone, but even just one life would be worth it to her. She is probably the most heroic protagonist I have ever read about I swept up by this story, its nonstop action, and tension. This is one of those books that will stick with me. I will also probably buy it for anyone who doesn't already own it whom I think will enjoy it as much as I did. Bravo, Jennifer. This get s rare five stars from me.

This book is certainly amazing and absoluely fantastic! I love the bravery showed by the characters in this book! Chaya, her brother, Esther, and all the other people who tried to help save people and end the war showed courage and determintion. Though some of the characters in this book was fictional, those people made many sacrifices just to let us have what we have now. (Note: This paragraph has spoilers) Esther and Sara, Chaya's friend and younger sister both died trying to help others. Many others died in that war, lots were injured and those who survived had terrible memories. The war affected many others and it hard for the characters when they saw and heard other people die. They did many bad things to help others like lying and killing each other. It was that terrible war that took lots away from people. At that time, desicions were hard to make and someone will alwaye end up dying. After reading this book, do you think the characters made the right choice? What would you have done? In the end, there will always be heros, dead or alive, and they wil not be forrgotten. This book taught me many things, from the beginning to the end. I totally reccomand this book to those who are interested in the war. I found out about the many sacrifices made and learned that there was no choice at that time that will not end up with people dead. I look up to those who helped ende the war. (Review froom annoymous 11 years old girl)

Got this for my oldest son(almost 11), he loves it!

This historical-fiction by Jennifer A. Nielsen was a nail-bitting read full of knowledge, inspiration, courage, action, and emotional moments. She tells the story of the Jewish resistance groups of WWII in a way that is appropriate for children middle grade and up to learn that part of history. I highly recommend this book.

This book is a game changer! I teach 5th grade and from the very first chapter, I knew I’d found a gem. Then, to my surprise, the book took off without a hitch! Never a dull moment. It’s as if the elementary version of “The Nightingale” had been published. I was blown away at how well this book was written to in order to reach the kids’ level of understanding of the Holocaust, and its resistance. Teaching history to kids can be challenging, unless you find something that will engage them. This book hit all the marks! It helps kids learn about the devastating time during the Holocaust, and of its resistance proving just how powerful we can be when united for a higher purpose. It raises the vibration of the world! It teaches many life lessons and morals; one of which is my teacher slogan... LOVE is more powerful than hate. I want to thank this author for writing this novel. I will now read this one aloud to my 5th graders during our ELA Module about the Holocaust.

You felt as if you were there! The writer captured what it was like to be a part of the resistance as a Jewish teenager in Nazi-occupied Poland during WW 2. I was in the edge of my seat throughout this story! As a Jew myself, I don't think I would have had such courage and fortitude as Chaya, the main character, had during these perilous times. This is such a timely story...I am sure there are young girls in Ukraine now who have had similar harrowing experiences...similar challenges to overcome! I kept thinking of that as I read this book! I highly recommend this suspenseful novel!

This was an amazing read, and hard to put down! I would definitely recommend this book! I loved the story and that actual events, as well as some real people and real quotes from them were intertwined. I have read many books about World War II, and this one included a lot of information/events I had never heard about or learned before. It was incredibly interesting & informative! So much love, respect & gratitude for every person who fought back against evil during this tragic time in history.

13 year old daughter loved this. I got hushed as I tried to talk to her, so always good sign!

Great books for younger readers that like historically fiction!

Although very sad, this book is extremely inspiring and has caused me to think deeply for days and days. I love World War II books and this is honestly one of my favourite ones. I recommend this book to anyone of any reading level of any age such a powerful novel that makes you feel everything and I couldn’t put it down for days.

The first 4 chapters are missing of this book. Instead it has the ending of the book in it twice. Since we bought more books at once we didn't realize this until the return policy is over. So not sure who to contact now so I can have a complete book and not missing chapters book. The other books by this writer has been loved and I know he will love this book to but starting a book that starts on page 21 and chapter 5 doesn't really work. Would love to have the book that is complete.

The book I received was misprinted. The book opens to page 375 and proceeds to the conclusion and the preview for another book. After that it jumps to page 23 in the third chapter. There may be other misprinting or improper binding issues within the book. Physically the book appears fine—it’s just an error during publication.