The Cats in Krasinski Square

Hesse, Karen. 2004. The Cats in Krasinski Square. New York: Scholastic Press.

Summary

This is the story of a young Jewish girl who is living outside the well known Ghetto in Poland in 1942. She must pretend to be someone that she is not. She has escaped the Ghetto, but has friends still living there. The young girl plays outside almost invisible with the cats that are out in Krasinski Square. The girl's older sister along with some friends come up with a plan to smuggle food into the Ghetto. The plan is discovered by the Gestapo finds out about this plan and forms their own plan to stop it. They believe that food is going to brought in by trains, so they get their dogs ready to sniff out the food at the train station. They figure out that the dogs will be at the train station and the little girl comes up with a plan to distract the dogs. The girl, her sister, and some friends round up as many of the cats from Krasinski Square and hide them in baskets. As soon as the train comes in they release the cats and distract the dogs causing chaos. In the midst of the chaos the people with the food are able to escape and then smuggle the food into the Ghetto.

Impressions

This is a very thought provoking fictional story based on real life events. The story is extremely well written and illustrated. Even though it is a tough subject, the way that the story is written makes it a wonderful choice to read to children. Children can handle the fact that not everyone in the world is good and that bad things can happen to anyone. The style of this book makes it a good introduction to what happened during the Holocaust. It is not gruesome or horrible, yet it tells a poignant story. I would definitely recommend this book to teachers and parents.

Reviews

School Library Journal( November 01, 2004 ; 0-439-43540-4 ) "Gr 3-5-Set in Warsaw in 1942, this picture book brings to life a little-known incident of Jewish resistance. A young girl who has escaped the Ghetto lives with her older sister who, with friends, plans to smuggle food to those still there." -Harriett Fargnoli, Great Neck Library, NY Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Booklist( October 15, 2004 ; 0-439-43540-4 ) "Gr. 2-5. It's an empowering story about the bravery and impact of young people, and Hesse's clear, spare poetry, from the girl's viewpoint, refers to the hardships suffered without didacticism. In bold, black lines and washes of smoky gray and ochre, Watson's arresting images echo the pared-down language as well as the hope that shines like the glints of sunlight on Krasinski Square. An author's note references the true events and heartbreaking history that inspired this stirring, expertly crafted story." --Gillian Engberg Copyright 2004 Booklist