Hannah Szenes: A Song of Light [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

by Maxine Rose Schur (Author), Donna Ruff (Illustrator)
Key Phrases: Fini Mama, S'dot Yam, Hannah Szenes (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8 This brief biography of Hannah Szenes (Senesh) covers her early years in Hungary, her schooling, her growing interest in Zionism as a teenager, and her immigration to Palestine in 1939. As the war in Europe escalated, Szenes returned to Hungary on a mission to aid the resistance fighters, where she was arrested and executed in 1944 at age 23. Schur's biography, in contrast to Linda Atkinson's In Kindling Flame: the Story of Hannah Senesh 1921-1944 (Lothrop, 1985), is written in an informal style which emphasizes the adventurous aspects of her life. Atkinson carefully documents the prevailing social situation in Hungary and the rise of anti-Semitism, integrating this material with the details of Senesh's life. The photographs in Atkinson's work are far superior to the undistinguished pencil drawings in Schur's biography. Both biographies utilize quotations from the young woman's poetry effectively to reveal her unconquerable spirit and determination despite overwhelming odds. Atkinson's work is the best account for the junior high level as it is more interesting and intellectually demanding. Schur's work would be useful for libraries needing a biography on Hannah Szenes which is easy to read and written for a slightly younger audience than Atkinson's book. Lorraine Douglas, Winnipeg Public Library, Manitoba, Canada
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
Hannah Szenes grew up in a loving home filled with books, plays, and music. Unfortunately the rise of the Nazis in her native Hungary forced Hannah to emigrate to Palestine, where she became an ardent Zionist pioneer. Haunted by the murder of the Jews by Hitler, she risked her own life to become a resistance fighter, vowing to save as many Jewish lives as possible.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 106 pages
• Publisher: Jewish Pubn Society; Rev Upd edition (July 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0827606621
• ISBN-13: 978-0827606623
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,271,621 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Hero to Remember, April 10, 2000

By A Customer

Hannah Senesh is the symbol of virtue, valor, and compassion. She risked, and lost, everything she ever had to save others. This book deserves an accolade of praise, and should be recommended to young adult readers. Not only does it give the reader an understanding of this dark time in history, it also presents a sense of hope. For even in the darkest of shadows, there is a light- like Hannnah Sensesh. Highly recommended!

5.0 out of 5 stars A Hero to Remember, April 10, 2000

By A Customer

Hannah Senesh is the symbol of virtue, valor, and compassion. She risked, and lost, everything she ever had to save others. This book deserves an accolade of praise, and should be recommended to young adult readers. Not only does it give the reader an understanding of this dark time in history, it also presents a sense of hope. For even in the darkest of shadows, there is a light like the Hannnah Sensesh. Highly recommended!