Reading individual accounts of people who survived, survived and lost loved ones in the Holocaust is so important. This is the account of one family who had several family members miraculously survive by being adopted into families posing as Catholic orphans. Their light skin and hair allowed them to be believed as they appeared on doorsteps offering to work for their room and board. In particular, we follow 10 year old Pearl who was brought into a farm with an anti-Semite mother and daughter. She and two siblings each ended up on different farms and were forced to work and live without knowing how the others fared. We know that Pearl survives as the story is written by her daughter in law. I won't give any spoilers on the rest of the family but they deal with so many of the atrocities and hardships that many Jews faced.

The text is short and simple. It's very clearly written from the recollection of a child. There are not so many details on timeline and the emotions are somewhat dampened. But it is still a powerful story worth reading. 

Thanks to Little Egg Publishing Company for gifted access via Netgalley. All opinions above are my own. Apologies for taking so long to get to it!

In 1939, Hitler’s troops are advancing into Poland and Pearl’s family thought they were safe on their isolated farm. One day the Brachfeld family had to quickly leave, the German's were coming, they had to walk for a couple of days, and they hid in the Bor Tajecina forest.

Life in the forest was hard, constantly hungry, three of the older children left to find work, and Pearl was one of them. She lived and worked for a very grumpy lady called Karol. Her daughter Nadia was a school teacher, she was kind to Pearl and she stayed with them until the war ended. Pearl's family was scattered all over Poland during the war, she was eventually reunited with her parents and three of her siblings.

Hidden Pearl by J. E. Laufer is based on the true story about the author’s mother-in-law Pearl Brachfeld Laufer, she was one of the group known as the “Hidden Children” they were Jewish children who spent the war in hiding, and often in plain sight. A story about courage, hope, family, never giving up, and it explains what happened during the time, and it’s a suitable book for teens and young adults.

Hidden Pearl by J.E. Laufer is a YA inspiring true account of the author’s Mother-in-law Pearl’s experiences as a child during World War II.
Pearl was ten years old at the outbreak of war. Her family of eleven were Jewish and lived in Poland which the Nazis over-ran. Her story is one of incredible bravery and tenacity.
As a child Pearl’s best hope of survival was to hide her faith and live with strangers, doing chores. She was separated from her family, surviving on hope.
Hidden Pearl is a remarkable story of courage in one so young, at a time of great evil. Pearl never forgot her faith but hung on silently and secretly.
Hidden Pearl is suitable for ages twelve and above. It is a book that needs to be read so that the next generation does not forget the horrors of the past. The book is written sensitively so as to inform without the graphic details to upset young minds.
I loved the inclusion of photos so the reader can put faces to names.
A story of remarkable courage.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

A quick and simple read. It’s strong points are that it captures the fear felt by Jews during WW2 and has some lovely photos of some of the characters which help bring this based on a true story to life.

We are following a 10 year old girl which is based on the grandmother of the author. This book felt like it was mainly written to remember what the family went through during the world war as a jewish-polish family. I do think that is a great idea and I really think it is important to have these very personal stories and accounts of big historic events. I just felt like the book merely was a rough draft and needed to be fleshed out a lot more.
My main issue just is about the way it is told, not the story itself. We are introduced to a family of 9 within a few pages and I felt really lost. I understand that you want to stay close to the truth but I was not able to handle and track 9 people after 2 pages. Then everything that happened in the world was introduced through dialogues and I kept thinking "how old is this kid supposed to be to have conversations like this". It just felt forced at times and not realistically how a 10 year old would learn about things and try and make sense of them.


I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I never seem to tire of stories from WWII. There are so many to be shared and Hidden Pearl is a great addition to your reading list.

Pearl was still a young girl when she ended up going into hiding, disguising herself to not appear Jewish and working for an older woman on her farm.

The story starts with the day her village has been raided. Her family flees with such haste that Pearl only realizes later she has no shoes on. Taking refuge in the forest, the family struggles to survive. An older brother and sister go in search of farm work since they feel they do not look like a stereotypical Jew. Pearl is then 'hidden' by a family friend at a farm as well.

During the years on the farm, the war continues. Word comes to Pearl through the family friend about other family members disappearing from the forest home.

I don't want to give too much away. Just that eventually the war ends and Pearl is reunited with some of her family.

This historical fiction title is based on real people and contains photographs of them post war at the end of the book. A good option for reading while studying this time period of history.

In 1939, Hitlers troops invaded Poland. Pearl, along with her parents and 6 brothers and sisters suddenly found themselves homeless refugees on the run. At 10 years old, Pearls life suddenly was not safe anymore. At 10 years old, she knew she had to do what it takes to survive and also, that she might not survive. Shoeless, Pearl and her family walk for days, finally finding shelter in a forest. Still, they knew they were not safe. At any moment the Nazi's could find them. With so many mouths to feed, It would be almost impossible to survive. They had to find a way. Heartbroken, Pearls parents make a decision no parent should never have to make. They have to split up the family.

Hidden Pearl is a heartbreaking reminder of what can happen when hate takes over a country but It also shows the strength we as humans have when faced with the unspeakable. It is a story we should never forget and why we should always speak up against injustice.

In 1939, Hitlers troops invaded Poland. Pearl, along with her parents and 6 brothers and sisters suddenly found themselves homeless refugees on the run. At 10 years old, Pearls life suddenly was not safe anymore. At 10 years old, she knew she had to do what it takes to survive and also, that she might not survive. Shoeless, Pearl and her family walk for days, finally finding shelter in a forest. Still, they knew they were not safe. At any moment the Nazi's could find them. With so many mouths to feed, It would be almost impossible to survive. They had to find a way. Heartbroken, Pearls parents make a decision no parent should never have to make. They have to split up the family.

Hidden Pearl is a heartbreaking reminder of what can happen when hate takes over a country but It also shows the strength we as humans have when faced with the unspeakable. It is a story we should never forget and why we should always speak up against injustice.

I honestly feel guilty rating a book to do with the holocaust, especially one based on a real story as a 3 star, but I have to be honest with reviews. This book is only around 100 pages (a little over) so it didn't feel very fleshed out. It's a story about a family in Poland during WW2, and is to do with the family of the writers mother-in-law. We are immediately placed into a story without the characters really being described, I couldn't picture anything other than girls and boys with blonde hair and blue eyes, as if those were the only features about them. The writing was simplistic though and easy to read, making this ideal for younger readers, but this also meant it's a decent quick read. I enjoyed the basis of the story, but I couldn't properly get into it. Ages weren't mentioned much, and when mentioned in some places about time passing, we weren't told how much for some cases, so I have no idea how old our main character is meant to be. I know it was based on a real story, but it weirdly felt unrealistic, as if things were perfectly planned to prevent tragedy when it wasn't even fully expected at that time anyway. I'm just not too sure of this one. I usually find these books really interesting and moving, but this one didn't feel like that. But I still think it's good to keep these stories of survivors and even victims going, to keep their memories alive. You may enjoy this if you'd like a quick read.

this was such a good book, i really felt for the author. I thought it was a great way to introduce a young audience to the Holocaust and WW2. It was a really well done book and I really enjoyed reading this.

I love World War II-era books. I haven't read many geared toward a younger audience, such as this story is (~ middle school age). It could be a good introduction to WWII. It's a quick, emotional read that is based on a true story.

It's apparent that the author isn't a seasoned writer. The ending felt a bit too perfect, and there wasn't as much growth throughout the story, despite this being a factually based book.

I was skeptical of how good the story could be at only 100 or so pages but all my skepticism proved wrong. The story is incredibly intense and heartbreaking and made all the more sad by the fact that it is true.

Hidden Pearl
by J.E. Laufer

Little Egg Publishing Company


Biographies & Memoirs , Teens & YA

Pub Date 22 Aug 2019


I am reviewing a copy of Hidden Pearl through Little Egg Publishing Company and Netgalley:



Hidden Pearl is the incredible story of a Hidden Child,and her family during World War 2. During these times of desperation, people faced many challenges on a daily basis.



Hidden Pearl is a story of hope, of courage and resilience of a young girl when it seemed the world around her was falling apart.


I would recommend Hidden Pearl to anyone who is looking for a story of hope against all odds.


Pearl is a remarkable girl, who survived at a time when many adults could not.


This book would make a great teaching tool on the Holocaust, World War 2, and the courage of one young girl and her family.


I give Hidden Pearl five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Thanks to Little Egg Publishing Company and Netgalley for this ebook! The following thoughts are mine alone.

The book ‘Hidden Pearl’ demonstrated the courage, strength, fear, tragedy, and perseverance of a Jewish family in Poland during WW2. The author wrote her mother-in-law’s story. Although written for teens & young adults, I believe middle school children could read this.

After escaping their home and finding shelter in a forest, Pearl’s family realized the best chance for survival would be for some of the children to find work on farms as an “orphan”. Fortunately with blonde hair and blue eyes, Pearl, her sister Jeanette, and brother Bernie, were able to blend in.

Pearl changed her name to that of a former deceased classmate and learned how to act as a Catholic while holding on to her Jewish traditions and prayers. She managed to hear bits about her family during this time by Leon, a family friend.

The story, although told simply, was interesting and an enjoyable read.

A brief novel but it was beyond an interesting read that highlights the racism and prejudice towards Jews in WWII.
Pearl’s experience was one of the more fortunate cases and it’s constantly reflected on within the novel. It was quite heartbreaking, when she lost some family members because other people would have been going through similar experiences.
I definitely enjoyed reading and it gave me another perspective into WWII and the constant fight Jewish citizens faced at the time.

I found this book to be a good introduction into what happened during WWII. It is a short story, and feels more geared towards the middle school age.

This is the heart wrenchingly true story of Pearl and her family on the run from the Nazis. I greatly enjoyed reading this story, as I am fascinated with the history of the Holocaust and political turmoil in Germany during that time. I think it is important that all of the survivors of this tragedy have the opportunity to have their stories heard because Hitler and the Nazis tried so hard to silence them in the past.

The author does a wonderful job of telling her mother-in-law's story of how difficult it was everyday to survive after her family had to flee their home with little more than the clothes on their backs. Although the subject matter might be difficult for some readers, the prose is very straightforward and easy to read. I think everyone needs to learn about the importance of not targeting groups people because of their race, creed, or political affiliation.

The Hidden Pearl left me wanting more. It was such a heartwarming story;I am glad they never lost hope because that is what kept them going. I felt so bad for the family and everything they had to go through. It was such a big adjustment for them to live hidden lives. I wish I knew more about her family that went missing. A small part of me wanted the whole family to reunite. I am glad Pearl’s voice was heard.

I certainly will recommend anyone from the young to old to read Pearl’s story. As I read Pearl’s story I felt many different feelings as she went from a happy childhood helping on the farm to being helpless as a babe in arms. I’m glad to read that she found love and happiness in her life after war. I’m interested in learning more about Pearl.

I loved this book, and highly recommend it. An emotional insight into the horrors of what happened to families during the Nazi invasion of Poland. My kids are close to the age Pearl was when her family was torn apart and it was painful to image what it must have been like for her. I have to say, I held my own kids a little tighter after finishing the book.

If you liked The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank you might like this too.