Prisoner B-3087 - A Book Worth Reading

I am always amazed when I read stories of WWII survivors - especially those of children.  I have never heard of Jack (Yanek) Gruener before coming across the book Prisoner B-3087 at a Scholastic Book Fair. But now that I have read his story, I will never forget him. At age 10 Jack's life changed in unbelievable ways. He spent 6 years in ten different concentration camps- coming across some real monsters,even Josef Mengele. 

The opening line in Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz really says so much. "If I had known what the next six years of my life were going to be like, I would have eaten more." And that's just the beginning of the trials, torture, and pain that Jack suffers for six years. Though this book is fiction, it is based on Jack (Yanek) Gruener's life. So many times, he could have given up, but Jack continued to find something within himself to keep going. He may have been beaten, and starved, and tortured, but he did not let the Nazi's win! They took his family, his friends, his possessions, but they did not take his dignity or his life.

Alan Gratz does a superb job at telling Jack's story...a story of historical importance, a story of courage, and a story of hope.

If you are looking for a book about the Holocaust, this is worth reading.  It's  a great book for middle school children as well.  It's easy to understand, but doesn't water down the horrors of what happened during WWII. 

The Mooslefluffs and Musichorale!

Come meet Mr. and Mrs. Murphy Mooslefluff!  They are April's Moose of the Month, and they are strong supporters of the arts. 

Murphy and Minnie are really looking forward to Musichorale's Spring Concert on April 27th! 

To read more about Murphy and Minnie Mooslefluff,  click the following link to their web page.

http://mooseatthemanger.tateauthor.com/moose-of-the-month/

Update -Thanks to Principal Lungaro and the students and staff of St. Agnes School!

 Our school visit to St. Agnes was inspiring.  The principal, teachers, and staff were a very welcoming and helpful group of people. The students were very well behaved and attentive too.  It was a pleasure spending the morning with them. 

Talking about the connections of reading and writing is always fun to do. 

It's was a GREAT day!