There were false identity papers for all of the children, but some of them needed more. They needed to be more Polish, less Jewish, needed golden curls, needed to stop speaking Yiddish, needed to forget their real families. Only Irena knew their real names and she guarded that secret with her life.  Irena Sendler, a public health specialist, was allowed into the Warsaw ghetto in 1942, mainly to keep diseases from spreading into the rest of the population. But when she saw the dreadful conditions, she had to do something. She began smuggling food and medicines in, and soon began smuggling children out. They came out in the sewers, in suitcases and bags, even in coffins, and 2,500 children were saved from certain death.

This amazing story of a brave and selfless woman only came to light after Poland was no longer Communist. It is a disturbing book, full of the horrors and brutality that man can inflict upon man. And it is also an uplifting book, full of the love that is not bound by race or religion.  It is a book that should be read by everyone.

eGalley review                             Publication date 9.27.16