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Children's Nonfiction Holocaust

Fania's Heart

by (author) Anne Renaud

illustrated by Richard Rudnicki

Publisher
Second Story Press
Initial publish date
Mar 2018
Category
Holocaust, Europe, Prejudice & Racism
Recommended Age
9 to 12
Recommended Grade
3 to 6
Recommended Reading age
9 to 12
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9781772600575
    Publish Date
    Mar 2018
    List Price
    $18.95

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Description

Ten-year-old Sorale discovers a tiny heart-shaped book among her mother’s belongings. Its pages are shaped like four-petaled flowers, upon which are written words in languages Sorale does not understand. Who wrote these words? Where did the heart come from? And why has her mother never mentioned this tiny book before?
Fania’s Heart reveals the true story of the crafting of this heart-shaped birthday card, against all odds, within the confines of Auschwitz, and of the women of immeasurable resilience, courage, and loyalty who risked their lives to create this gift for Sorale’s mother, their friend.

About the authors

Anne Renaud is a life-long Quebecker and is the author of several picture books, as well as historical non-fiction books for children, including: The Extraordinary Life of Anna Swan (CBU Press), A Bloom of Friendship: The Story of the Canadian Tulip Festival, Island of Hope and Sorrow: The Story of Grosse Île, and Into the Mist: The Story of the Empress of Ireland. An expanded edition of Pier 21: Stories from Near and Far, first published in 2008, is forthcoming from CBU Press. Anne’s work has been nominated for several awards, including the Silver Birch Award, the Hackmatack Children’s Choice Award, the Red Cedar Book Award and the Red Maple Award. The Extraordinary Life of Anna Swan ( for CBU Press, 2013) was shortlistedthe Quebec Writers’ Federation Prize for Children's & Young Adult Literature. Anne is also a regular contributor to children’s magazines, such as Highlights, Pockets, Cricket, Odyssey, Faces, Clubhouse and Shine. She hopes her books educate, entertain and inspire children.

Anne Renaud's profile page

Richard Rudnicki est réputé pour ses tableaux dépeignant la Nouvelle-Écosse ainsi que pour ses albums jeunesse primés. Richard enseigne le dessin et anime fréquemment des ateliers dans des écoles. Il habite Halifax.

 

Richard Rudnicki is an artist known for his paintings of Nova Scotia as well as for his award-winning children's books. Gracie, The Public Gardens Duck by Judith Meyrick won the Lillian Sheppard Memorial Award for Excellence in illustration and was finalist for the APMA Best Atlantic Published Book Award. Richard also teaches figure drawing and portraiture and frequently gives school workshops. He lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Richard Rudnicki's profile page

Awards

  • Short-listed, Red Cedar Book Awards
  • Winner, Canadian Jewish Literary Award - Children/Youth Category
  • Commended, Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books of 2018

Editorial Reviews

"Fania’s Heart is a simply told nonfiction account, effectively delivered to teach children that people can have hope, even in the most dire circumstances.... The history of these terrible events is a lot to absorb, but it’s an important story that echoes today in the experiences of many of the refugee children who have arrived in Canada from war torn countries.... Fania’s Heart joins the list of valuable biographies that should be found in school and classroom libraries everywhere. Highly recommended."

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

"The inspiring story, which takes place in one of the most demeaning of settings, shows that even the powerless can provide hope and warmth to one other."

Jewish Book Council

"The true story of Fania Landau Fainer, a Polish Jew who was imprisoned in Auschwitz, is compelling from the start.... readers find inspiration in the ways that kindness can exist even in the bleakest places."

Association of Jewish Libraries

"Fania's Heart is written in large print for easy reading, and every page contains poignant illustrations that capture the plight of Fania during her time in Auschwitz."

The Canadian Jewish News

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