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caittschida's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Beautifully illustrated, I do wish it was just longer so the story could be told more thoroughly
jwinchell's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
I am a big believer in Iturbe’s novel that inspired this graphic novel, and I would personally prefer the original to this adaptation. But I am glad this graphic version exists because it makes Dita’s story much more accessible to so many more readers. Informative, heartbreaking, and inspiring.
amandabooktopia's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
hey_lol517375's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
crocheteer34's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
ljuice's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
anxiouslybooked's review against another edition
4.0
This graphic novel follows, Dita Kraus, a prisoner at Auschwitz. Upon arriving to Auschwitz, Dita is asked by Fredy Hirsch if she would be interested in becoming the librarian. While Dita knew that under not uncertain circumstances this meant risking her life, she wanted this job. She showed the true power and love of reading in this role. This graphic novel follows Dita through her time in Auschwitz and her eventual departure.
This is based on Adita Kraus true story and was adapted from the full-length novel by the same name. I enjoyed reading this and seeing the love of literature and books come to life on the page. As a middle school librarian though, I would not purchase this title for my collection. While it shows the true realities of the time spent in Auschwitz, the depiction of the people stripped and naked are a little too much for what I would feel comfortable putting in a middle school library.
This is based on Adita Kraus true story and was adapted from the full-length novel by the same name. I enjoyed reading this and seeing the love of literature and books come to life on the page. As a middle school librarian though, I would not purchase this title for my collection. While it shows the true realities of the time spent in Auschwitz, the depiction of the people stripped and naked are a little too much for what I would feel comfortable putting in a middle school library.
jodi_ice's review
4.0
Cawpile: 8.64 4.5*
An interesting format to read an Auschwitz story is Graphic Novel story and some very interesting stories. I think I’d be interested in reading the corresponding novel to see which parts were chosen to be highlighted in here.
An interesting format to read an Auschwitz story is Graphic Novel story and some very interesting stories. I think I’d be interested in reading the corresponding novel to see which parts were chosen to be highlighted in here.
kendranicole28's review
4.0
The Librarian of Auschwitz is a graphic novel based on the true story of Dita Kraus, a fourteen-year-old girl from Prague, who is taken by Nazi soldiers in the fall of 1942 and imprisoned at Auschwitz. For most, this would have been a death sentence, but Dita and her parents are placed in Camp BIIb, a camp set up for propaganda purposes where prisoners still faced horrific circumstances but also received some privileges, such as getting to keep their own clothing and hair and—most importantly—not immediately being sent to the gas chambers.
When Freddy Hirsch, a Jewish leader within the camp, charges book-loving Dita with protecting eight precious volumes and using them to teach her fellow prisoners, Dita bravely assumes the title of camp librarian. Dita and her books give hope and purpose to the prisoners even as they struggle to survive. But Dita knows that nobody can be trusted in Auschwitz, even those she assumes are friends. Each day is an exercise in discernment and relentless courage as Dita holds on to all that is most precious while also hoping to experience life after Auschwitz.
I did not know the stories of Dita Kraus or Freddy Hirsch and love that this dramatic graphic novel was based on a true story with such admirable heroes at its center. I also enjoyed the bookish focus and strong themes of strength, resilience, and hope. Some of the plot was difficult to follow and I felt the book needed to be longer to tell the complete story, but historical notes included in the back of the novel helped to fill in some gaps.
I chose to read the graphic novel adaptation rather than the original story because the premise intrigued me, but I’ve been in an emotionally tender place and did not feel ready to engage the full book; my hope was that this graphic novel would be a little lighter, and while the format does add some levity to a challenging story, the creators (rightly) do not shy away from the atrocities of the Holocaust. I believe this book succeeds in framing an important but difficult story in a way that will be more accessible to the intended Middle Grade/YA audience (and to sensitive adult readers like myself).
That said, there are quite a few illustrations of the naked Jewish prisoners that felt somewhat gratuitous and unnecessarily graphic. I also was not expecting the introduction of homosexual themes. These issues, combined with the general subject matter, would keep me from putting this in the hands of any readers younger than 8th or 9th grade. As an adult reader, I’m glad to have read this powerful little book with a story and a message I will not soon forget.
My Rating: 4 Stars // Book Format: Print
When Freddy Hirsch, a Jewish leader within the camp, charges book-loving Dita with protecting eight precious volumes and using them to teach her fellow prisoners, Dita bravely assumes the title of camp librarian. Dita and her books give hope and purpose to the prisoners even as they struggle to survive. But Dita knows that nobody can be trusted in Auschwitz, even those she assumes are friends. Each day is an exercise in discernment and relentless courage as Dita holds on to all that is most precious while also hoping to experience life after Auschwitz.
I did not know the stories of Dita Kraus or Freddy Hirsch and love that this dramatic graphic novel was based on a true story with such admirable heroes at its center. I also enjoyed the bookish focus and strong themes of strength, resilience, and hope. Some of the plot was difficult to follow and I felt the book needed to be longer to tell the complete story, but historical notes included in the back of the novel helped to fill in some gaps.
I chose to read the graphic novel adaptation rather than the original story because the premise intrigued me, but I’ve been in an emotionally tender place and did not feel ready to engage the full book; my hope was that this graphic novel would be a little lighter, and while the format does add some levity to a challenging story, the creators (rightly) do not shy away from the atrocities of the Holocaust. I believe this book succeeds in framing an important but difficult story in a way that will be more accessible to the intended Middle Grade/YA audience (and to sensitive adult readers like myself).
That said, there are quite a few illustrations of the naked Jewish prisoners that felt somewhat gratuitous and unnecessarily graphic. I also was not expecting the introduction of homosexual themes. These issues, combined with the general subject matter, would keep me from putting this in the hands of any readers younger than 8th or 9th grade. As an adult reader, I’m glad to have read this powerful little book with a story and a message I will not soon forget.
My Rating: 4 Stars // Book Format: Print