Elementary Secondary Higher Ed Common Reads

Elementary Education


Guides
Collections
News
(0)
Wish List (0)
Wish List
Download high-resolution image

Peter's War

A Boy's True Story of Survival in World War II Europe

Author Karen Gray Ruelle
Illustrated by Deborah Durland DeSaix
Paperback
$8.99 US
Holiday House
8.03"W x 9.98"H x 0.15"D  
On sale Oct 25, 2022 | 40 Pages | 9780823451203
Grades 1-4
Add to cart Add to list Exam Copies
See Additional Formats
The harrowing true story of a German-Jewish boy who had to survive World War II on his own, separated from his parents as they fled the Holocaust.

In 1942, as twelve-year-old Peter Feigl and his family tried to disappear inthe Southern Zone of France, his parents were arrested.

    They had been constantly on the run for years, as Hitler consolidated powerand overran Europe. Peter and his family fled from Germany to Czechoslovakia,then Austria, Belgium, and finally France. They were desperate to stay one step ahead of the Nazis and their concentration camps.

    But suddenly, Peter was alone: a spirited child coming of age in hiding during the worst war in modern history. This book follows his incredible journey for survival, and his efforts as a secret resistance fighter.

    Beautifully illustrated in a scrapbook style, featuring original artwork alongside historical photographs from Peter's early life, this one-of-a-kind nonfiction picture book offers a very personal look into the lives of young people trying to evade-- and resist-- the Nazis. Excerpts and images from Peter's diary of those years add irreplaceable, first-hand details to the accountof his survival.

    The acclaimed nonfiction duo of Karen Gray Ruelle and Deborah Durland DeSaix, creators of Hidden on the Mountain and The Grand Mosque of Paris, have crafted an enthralling account, filled with meticulous research and informed by the authors' own interviews with Feigl. Accessible and detailed, this will inspire young readers and offer a new perspective on a frequently studied era of history.

    Featuring more than ten pages of supplementary backmatter-- including an epilogue, extensive historical notes, a wealth of recommendations for further reading, and a comprehensive list of sources and credits-- Peter's War is amasterful resource, and an incredible, unforgettable true story.
Karen Gray Ruelle is a former librarian turned full-time author and illustrator of children's books. Her books include the Harry and Emily easyreaders, as well as picture books and nonfiction. Hidden on the Mountain, cowritten with Deborah Durland DeSaix, was a Sydney Taylor Notable Book and received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews. She lives in New York City.

Deborah Durland DeSaix is a former college professor who now devotes her time to painting, ceramics, and writing. Hidden on the Mountain, cowritten with Karen Gray Ruelle, was a Sydney Taylor Notable Book and received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews. She lives in Lisbon, Portugal.
Karen Gray Ruelle View titles by Karen Gray Ruelle
Deborah Durland DeSaix View titles by Deborah Durland DeSaix
★ "This affecting compilation will help young readers put a human face on an unfathomable tragedy, as Peter's personality shines through in his writing. This accessible tribute is an important addition to children's Holocaust literature."—Booklist, Starred Review

"This is a valuable addition to the shelves of Holocaust literature, highlighting both the single-minded determination of the Germans and the heroic efforts of one French community. . . . An important, well-written account of survival against overwhelming odds."—Kirkus Reviews  
  

"this is an important primary source story of a young refugee during World War II." —School Library Journal


"In this beautifully designed book . . .  events come to life through period photographs juxtaposed with De Saix’s luminous watercolor illustrations to convey the emotions of persecuted Jews. . . . There’s a lot to absorb here, but the authors keep the text simple and clear"—ALJ News and Reviews

About

The harrowing true story of a German-Jewish boy who had to survive World War II on his own, separated from his parents as they fled the Holocaust.

In 1942, as twelve-year-old Peter Feigl and his family tried to disappear inthe Southern Zone of France, his parents were arrested.

    They had been constantly on the run for years, as Hitler consolidated powerand overran Europe. Peter and his family fled from Germany to Czechoslovakia,then Austria, Belgium, and finally France. They were desperate to stay one step ahead of the Nazis and their concentration camps.

    But suddenly, Peter was alone: a spirited child coming of age in hiding during the worst war in modern history. This book follows his incredible journey for survival, and his efforts as a secret resistance fighter.

    Beautifully illustrated in a scrapbook style, featuring original artwork alongside historical photographs from Peter's early life, this one-of-a-kind nonfiction picture book offers a very personal look into the lives of young people trying to evade-- and resist-- the Nazis. Excerpts and images from Peter's diary of those years add irreplaceable, first-hand details to the accountof his survival.

    The acclaimed nonfiction duo of Karen Gray Ruelle and Deborah Durland DeSaix, creators of Hidden on the Mountain and The Grand Mosque of Paris, have crafted an enthralling account, filled with meticulous research and informed by the authors' own interviews with Feigl. Accessible and detailed, this will inspire young readers and offer a new perspective on a frequently studied era of history.

    Featuring more than ten pages of supplementary backmatter-- including an epilogue, extensive historical notes, a wealth of recommendations for further reading, and a comprehensive list of sources and credits-- Peter's War is amasterful resource, and an incredible, unforgettable true story.

Author

Karen Gray Ruelle is a former librarian turned full-time author and illustrator of children's books. Her books include the Harry and Emily easyreaders, as well as picture books and nonfiction. Hidden on the Mountain, cowritten with Deborah Durland DeSaix, was a Sydney Taylor Notable Book and received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews. She lives in New York City.

Deborah Durland DeSaix is a former college professor who now devotes her time to painting, ceramics, and writing. Hidden on the Mountain, cowritten with Karen Gray Ruelle, was a Sydney Taylor Notable Book and received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews. She lives in Lisbon, Portugal.
Karen Gray Ruelle View titles by Karen Gray Ruelle
Deborah Durland DeSaix View titles by Deborah Durland DeSaix

Praise

★ "This affecting compilation will help young readers put a human face on an unfathomable tragedy, as Peter's personality shines through in his writing. This accessible tribute is an important addition to children's Holocaust literature."—Booklist, Starred Review

"This is a valuable addition to the shelves of Holocaust literature, highlighting both the single-minded determination of the Germans and the heroic efforts of one French community. . . . An important, well-written account of survival against overwhelming odds."—Kirkus Reviews  
  

"this is an important primary source story of a young refugee during World War II." —School Library Journal


"In this beautifully designed book . . .  events come to life through period photographs juxtaposed with De Saix’s luminous watercolor illustrations to convey the emotions of persecuted Jews. . . . There’s a lot to absorb here, but the authors keep the text simple and clear"—ALJ News and Reviews

Additional formats

Other Books by this Author

Related Articles

General Education & Professional Learning

Reading with Purpose Summit Event

On Monday, June 10th, Penguin Random House Education and DK Learning co-hosted a Reading with Purpose Summit Event in collaboration with Molly Ness, PhD. The event took place at Penguin Random House’s NYC headquarters and included sessions featuring leading education experts and a lunchtime author panel. The in-person professional learning event was built to show

Read more

Reading with Purpose Summit Event

General Education & Professional Learning
Social Studies & History Math The Arts General Early Concepts Education & Professional Learning English Language Arts Favorite Authors & Series Science & Technology

2024 Elementary School Collection

The Penguin Random House Education Elementary School Collection features outstanding fiction, nonfiction, and picture books from Penguin Young Reader’s, Random House Children’s, DK, and Grupo Editorial, as well as children’s publishers distributed by Penguin Random House. Explore online or download this valuable resource to discover great books in specific topic areas such as: Leveled Readers,

Read more

2024 Elementary School Collection

Social Studies & History Math The Arts General Early Concepts Education & Professional Learning English Language Arts Favorite Authors & Series Science & Technology
DK Learning Phonic Books Sampler Request
General Publisher's Spotlight English Language Arts

DK Learning Phonic Books Sampler Request

Thank you for your interest in DK Learning | Phonic Books. To download the DK Learning | Phonic Books sampler with four complete readers, please click here and complete the form. Once your information is successfully submitted, a link to download the sampler will be provided on the confirmation screen.   Click here to learn

Read more

DK Learning Phonic Books Sampler Request

General Publisher's Spotlight English Language Arts
education translanguaging collections affirming bilingual and multilingual learners
General Education & Professional Learning English Language Arts Favorite Authors & Series The Arts

PRH Education Translanguaging Collections

Translanguaging is a communicative practice of bilinguals and multilinguals, that is, it is a practice whereby bilinguals and multilinguals use their entire linguistic repertoire to communicate and make meaning (García, 2009; García, Ibarra Johnson, & Seltzer, 2017)   It is through that lens that we have partnered with teacher educators and bilingual education experts, Drs.

Read more

PRH Education Translanguaging Collections

General Education & Professional Learning English Language Arts Favorite Authors & Series The Arts

About Elementary Education

Penguin Random House Education

Penguin Random House

About Elementary Education

Penguin Random House Education

Penguin Random House

Back to Top
0
    • 0
    Elementary Education
    Wish List (0)