The Teacher of Warsaw is a beautiful and heart-breaking historical fiction novel based on a true story & a real hero that deserves to have his story made known.

When Warsaw fell, the Nazis occupied Poland and began rounding up Jews to the Ghetto. Janusz Korczak & the other teachers/caretakers at Dom Sierot do everything in their power to keep over 200 Jewish orphans safe and fed. This extraordinarily horrific and heartbreaking story set during the Holocaust will break your heart & show you the horrible history of the Jewish population.

This book is truly breath taking & heart breaking at the same time. I cried many times while reading this story, and knowing that it is based on a true story just made it even more heartbreaking! The author does an amazing job at telling the history of Janusz Korczak and accurately depicting his story. This book is a historical fiction novel based on the life of a real man & his story, and while some aspects of this book were made up, the author includes a segment at the end that explains which parts were true & which were fiction, which is greatly appreciated as a reader. Also as a person who grew up in Poland I am very thankful that the author did such an amazing job doing his research, and included real Polish names & terminology, as it can be really frustrating when non-Polish authors change these to make them easier to the non native speakers. You could tell that the author put in a lot of hard work to write this story accurately and well.

The only thing keeping me from giving this book 5 stars, was in certain parts of the book the main character goes on very lengthy and repetitive reflections, and while this was interesting to read the first couple of times, it ended up becoming really boring and parts that I would skip because the character was just talking about the same thing over and over again. I also would have loved to see a little more interaction with the children since he was so very much beloved by them, rather than reading about the character going to see various people (sometimes whom we only meet once during this book) to ask for assistance.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to everyone interested in learning more about Janusz Korczak or the Holocaust. If you do pick this book up, please keep a box of tissues beside you.

This book told a sad, important story about a real life man named Dr. Janusz Korczak, a pediatrician who ran an orphanage in Warsaw. When Poland was invaded by the Nazis, part of Warsaw was turned into what they called The Ghetto, a walled-off area of squalor and deprivation where Jews, including the orphans, were held until they were ultimately deported to their deaths. The story is brutal but real. This man would not leave the children's side even when given papers to escape. I'm grateful to have been given the chance to learn about an aspect of this time that I did not know before.

That said, I found the writing style difficult. The flow was stilted and choppy. I'm glad I read it but there are other books about this atrocious part of our world history that I appreciate more including The Tattooist of Auschwitz and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.

Thank you to Harper Muse and Netgalley for the e-arc.

Deeply moving and emotional story. Mario Escobar has apparently done extensive research for this book. Based on a true story and a real hero during the devastating and horrible crimes perpertrated on the Polish :Jews by the Nazi’s. This book shows that love and hope can exist in the ugliest of circumstances.

Thank you to #netgalley and #harpermuse for allowing me to read the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed above are my own.

This gripping, heartbreaking story of a doctor and his orphans forced into the ghetto during Nazi occupation of Poland would be a wonderful addition to any HS library. Authentic details lead to a sobering experience that left me devastated.

4.5 stars

The ripples of history are palpable in this profoundly moving work of fiction inspired by the diary of Janusz Korczak.

It makes for confronting, uncomfortable reading, given the oppression, violence, wanton destruction and downright barbarism that was meted out on the Polish Jews.

Yet, against this backdrop of the most indescribable horrors and barbarism, hope and fortitude shine through. The selfless care for one’s fellow man, the altruism and the benevolence with which Korczak sheltered hundreds of children reaffirm the best qualities of humanity.

This should be compulsory reading at schools.

My thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for granting this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I will start this review with a few disclaimers that will give you a little background on where I'm coming from. As stated in the description this history takes place during World War II in Ponad, in Warsaw to be precise - and this is my city, so before reading "The teacher of Warsaw" I knew the basics of Janusz Korczak's story. To be honest, I wondered how this book by Mr. Mario Escobar will work with my tastes as I usually do not read books from this genre.
In those disturbed times in Warsaw, the capital, Germans have isolated a part of the town and called it a Ghetto for Jews - men, women, children, every person of Mosaic faith - are thrown into this small piece of town. The same fate comes over Janusz Korczak and the children he's taking care of. In this book, we will see the fight of the Teacher (Korczak) to keep those children out of trouble and keep their lives undisturbed. I felt the desperation of the narrator in this book - to keep somehow this life in the best possible way for Dom Sierot, but will that be possible even when they are treated inhumanly as Jews are not humans to Nazis. Everything is given as rations - meds, food, closets, nothing I sure for the next day. This story gave me chills and a feeling of being disturbed quite a few times, but it's real, during the war there is no mercy and you have to do anything you can to survive with your loved ones.
This book is not plot driven, but it's historical driven, as the thor did an amazing job with providing a story almost 100% true and giving an explanation of where his interest came and what was hi invention ad changes - it allows us, readers, to see how har fiction part was developed. we will see also other Polish important people in the history of Poland and Wolrd even. The history of Janusz Korczak is not colorful, but it should not be like that - it's giving honest vibes which makes it even better. I hope more and more books about this time in world history will be showing it as close to the right version as possible. I recommend this story.

This is a story that everyone should know. Based on a true story, about a real life hero Janusz Korczak should be a household name. I cried through most of this story. The research that went into writing this book is clear. Escobar does an amazing job of clearly depicting the horrors that the characters went through and their feelings. An unbelievable story of hope, during a very dark time in history.

Janusz Korczak is 60 years old and running a Jewish orphanage in Warsaw when the Nazis invade. Despite being a respected leader, Janusz becomes an outcast in the city he loves. Despite the horrors occurring, Janusz and his friends do everything that they can to protect their children - and show them love and bravery.

Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

The Teacher of Warsaw by Mario Escobar is a beautifully written novel that is based on a true, heart breaking story. Sixty-year-old Janusz Korczak is a doctor and celebrity living in Warsaw, Poland. It is September 1, 1939 when the reader is introduced to Korczak and the two hundred Jewish orphans he cares for in a large orphanage. Korczak has never married ahd his life is dedicated to these children. Abruptly the orphans are forced to move to much smaller lodgings in the Jewish ghetto. Life their is horrid due to illness and lack of food. An unknown future looms for Korczak and his children but he continues to fight for them courageously. Korczak's story is important and impactful and it needed to be told.

When it comes to the known facts of Janusz Korczak's life, The Teacher of Warsaw accurately portrays the man who was truly devoted to the children under his care. What I found annoying were the frequent lengthy, long-winded, and disjointed reflections that the author has attributed to his eponymous character. These ruminations often did not seem to ring true to Korczak's character. In my opinion, this fictional accounting was disappointing as it did not do justice to this amazing man.

3.5 stars.
A true hero Janusz Korczak is portrayed in this fictional journal telling the story of his courageous attempt to save 200 Jewish orphans. As Warsaw fell and the the Nazis occupied Poland and began rounding up Jews to the Ghetto, Korczak does everything in his power to keep these children safe and fed. The extraordinarily horrific and heartbreaking Holocaust is depicted and it’s a moving story. At times there was optimism, heartbreaking optimism because of course, we already know the outcome as he tries desperately to get food for them, tries desperately to get some of them out. A selfless and caring man, not leaving them when he was offered papers so he could leave as his awful fate become tied to theirs. Irena Sendler, another true hero who saved children works with Dr. Korczak. I was introduced to her in a wonderful book [book:Irena's Children: The Extraordinary Story of the Woman Who Saved 2,500 Children from the Warsaw Ghetto|27276379] and I highly recommend it as well.

What didn’t work for me were the many philosophical musings which made it a little too wordy and at times felt rambling. I frequently find fictional biographical novels in first person difficult to read as I’m always wondering how real the thoughts are. Escobar in a note at the end tells which characters are real and which are not and that the conversations are imagined. What is important, though, is that this courageous man did what he could during events that actually happened. While I liked his [book:Auschwitz Lullaby|36597842] more than this one, it’s still a worthy read reminding us of the horrors of the Holocaust, the bravery of this man and others and how important it is to never forget.

Here is some information on the man :
https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/janusz-korczak-1

I received a copy of this from Harper Muse through NetGalley and Edelweiss

Prior to WWII, Janusz Korczak runs an orphanage for Jewish orphans in Warsaw - it's a hard life, but he manages to keep things going. But as Hitler's tentacles gradually spread across Europe, things get worse almost by the day. This is the story of one man's efforts to maintain humanity in the face of extreme inhumanity, hope in the face of despair, and life in the face of death.

I find this book a little difficult to either describe or review. Rather than a typical 'story', it's the somewhat rambling, philosophical diary of a most unusual man. I found what storyline there was interesting, eye-opening and often horrifying, but the more philosophical parts weren't really my cup of tea. In particular, I was left very confused as to what he believed and even to some extent what his philosophy of life was. In regard to content, it's based mostly in a ghetto in Warsaw during WWII - so there's lots of awful stuff going on. However, there was nothing I felt to be too descriptive or graphic. I guess my summary would have to be that it's probably something history-lovers and those interested in WWII will appreciate, but the way it's presented isn't really my thing. I'm not sorry I read it, but I don't plan to read it again and probably won't be looking for more by the author.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

The Teacher of Warsaw by Mario Escobar is a historical fiction, inspired by the life of Janusz Korczak, based on his journal and accounts of people who knew him and knew of him in Warsaw, Poland. The individual interactions and some of the characters are fictionalized for the sake of the story; however most of the characters in the book are based on real people. Dr. Korczak was the director of an orphanage in the Warsaw ghetto as well as a well respected author and educator across Poland. Dr. Korczak was the founder of pedagogical education whose work lead to the Declaration of the Rights of the Child used by the United Nations.

Dr. Janusz Korczak and his friend Ms. Stefania Wilczynska ran a Jewish orphanage called Dom Sierot in Warsaw. On the 1st of September 1943 the Germans invade Poland and thirty days later the Polish army was defeated. The Germans created a ghetto, forcing Dr. Korczak to move two hundred children into a smaller building; living behind the high wall. He and the tutors try to maintain the children’s routine, they display the orphanages flag, Dr. Korczak tells stories and the children preform plays. As time goes on the conditions in the ghetto become worse, it’s overcrowded and due to poor sanitation diseases run rampant, food and firewood become scarce and everyone is suffering from the effects of malnutrition. Dr. Korczak did everything he could to protect, shield and feed the children. He’s a beloved father figure to them and united they wrap their arms around each other in a giant loved filled hug. What happens to Jewish people in the Warsaw ghetto during the holocaust is horrific, graphic and nothing is left out.

This book captivated me from beginning to end. The writing is excellent and shows the true impact the ghetto had on everyone, while also showing the inner political workings of the ghetto. I was sobbing by the end of the book, it’s heartbreaking. Dr. Korczak was “the richest man in Warsaw” and he made sure the children were happy during time they had left in this world and loved. I fell in love with the children. This is definitely a story that needs to be told, so we do not forget. I highly recommend The Teacher of Warsaw to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book

I'm very wary of books on the Holocaust because many of them are simply capitalizing on some readers' needs for tragedy porn. But, I can say that this book is not that. It is based on real people and events and though fictionalized, it strikes me as quite genuine in many respects. It is a gentle read and poignant at times. You could almost miss the philosophical tidbits that make it a parable for our current times. It's hard not to get caught up in the story and sail through those parts. For this reason, it could warrant a second read.

We all know how this story ends. Because of that, it may be a difficult read for some. But it is really a story of heroes and I think a valuable addition to this genre. It is a bit choppy to read, but that may be because it is a translation. Still, though, it will stay with you.

"For Love of the Children"

The story of a man showing incredible love and courage at the expense of his own life. Teacher and Director of the Jewish orphanage Dom Sierot, Janusz Korczak vowed to do everything in his power to provide for and protect the orphans in his charge.

The Dom Sierot orphanage was a happy place for the orphans that lived there until the day their lives changed when the Nazi's invaded Poland. Janusz and his aides still did everything they could to care and provide for the orphans even when the food supplies dwindled so that they were all starving. Janusz still installed hope in those in his charge.

Janusz had many chances to leave the Ghetto they had been sent to but he refused to leave the children and stayed with them .

This was a story of great courage and of the horrific acts of the Nazi's against those in the Warsaw Ghetto, especially the children. I enjoyed reading this book as I have enjoyed reading other books by Mario Escobar. I can't wait for the next book.

Thanks to Mario Escobar for writing a great story, to Harper Muse for publishing it , and to NetGalley for making it available to me to read and review.

I had such high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, I had to put it down multiple times because I had a hard time getting into it. Finally, I forced myself to just sit down and read it, and I was dissapointed. What had potential to be a fantastic and emotional story comes across as dull, and the story didn't flow well enough for me to re-read it or suggest it to others. I usually enjoy historical fiction, but I guess this one just wasn't for me!

My thanks to Net Galley and Harper Muse for this EXCELLENT book that is a MUST read.

Dr. Janusz Korczak is a respected Jewish doctor who runs the Dom Sierot orphanage. The Nazis come and they are all sent to the perils of a ghetto. Dr and his coworkers show such love and compassion to help try to get the children out. Great book with love and hope but very heavy and I need something light after this. Highly recommend though.

Happy Pub Day!! This book is officially out now! 🎉

I discovered Mario Escobars books through goodreads a few years ago, first coming across ‘Auschwitz Lullaby’ and it made it to one of my favourite historical fiction books. So when I was informed I was getting an advanced copy of his newest ‘Teacher of Warsaw’ to add to my collection I was beyond excited !

My heart was so heavy reading this one. This WWII novel was all about a man named Janusz Korczak who was the leader/teacher of the Jewish orphanage in Warsaw. Everything changed the day the Nazi’s attacked the orphanage and Janusz does everything in his power to save and protect the children under his care, sacrificing so much himself 💔.

Auschwitz Lullaby is still my favourite by this author and I definitely recommend that one, but this one was also very well written and emotional.

Thanks so much Harper Muse for providing me with this copy in exchange for an honest review !

The Nazis have moved all the Polish Jews to the ghetto, including all the children in Janusz Korczak’s orphanage. Everyone’s life has changed. There is little or no food. Every day is a struggle to survive.

Janusz Korczak battles day in and day out to find enough food, medicine and clothing for all the children in his care. The atrocities of the Nazis and the deaths he witnesses every day are almost too much to handle. But, he never gives up!

This is a story which will break your heart. But, it is also a story which will show you about the love, hope and strength one person can have on others. Dr. Korczak saved so many but he could not save everyone. But, he is determined. This is a novel I will not soon forget. It is so beautifully written and well researched. I love that it is based on a real life hero.

Need a fantastic historical fiction you will be thinking about for days after…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

This book is historical fiction, but the protagonist, Janusz Korczak, was a real person. He was the head of a Jewish orphanage in Warsaw in 1939 when the Nazis invaded Poland. First they were forced to move the children inside the Warsaw ghetto, and then it became a struggle to keep them alive, despite rampant starvation and brutality.

Janusz Korczak, a respected Jewish leader, is running an orphanage in war-torn Warsaw, ultimately having to move his children into the ghetto created by the Nazis to eventually eradicate all the people in it. Suffering hunger and cramped living conditions, Janusz maintains the children in the best way he can. Upon the removal of the children to a concentration camp, Janusz accompanies them, to his and their deaths. Well written, this is the story of a real life hero of the Holocaust and should be read by everyone.