This historic fiction is based on the journal of Janusz Korczak, a true hero. Korczak and a friend dedicate their lives to helping orphaned children, and this dedication was tested during the WWII years. The descriptions of ghettos and living conditions are more vivid in this book than I've read anywhere else. They will make you feel the despair and pain that the Jews felt, as well as the hope that Korczak tried his best to instill all the way through to the last day. This was a difficult book to read, and I had to take it a few chapters at a time just to absorb and 'recover from' the images brought to life in these pages, but it's a very worthwhile read that anyone interested in this era should undertake.

This is the story of a Teacher who doesn’t let go of the children of his orphanage till the end. This is the true story of a Teacher who did everything in his power during one of the most tumultuous times in history to try and save the children he came to love so much. This is the story of one Jewish Teacher in Warsaw who refused to flee from the ghetto and certain death at the hands of the Nazis in their camps because he simply couldn’t leave the children of his orphanage to face this dreadful fate alone. If only because this is about a real man and based on real events, it must be read.

I am always fond of reading historical fiction, war stories, and about the struggle of the Jewish people - one that has happened before my time but is still essential for me to learn about to understand history and humanity. The Teacher of Warsaw is one of the most endearing tales I have read about the history of the Jewish people. The book depicted the dark side of humanity and the depth and breadth of the kindness humanity is also capable of. It is a wonderful contrast written down in words.

Janusz Korczak hold so much love for his students as much as loves his profession and country that he has chosen to walk on the difficult road and do things for his students and fellow educators more than what is expected of him. It is easier to escape knowing the horrors awaiting them when the Nazis come but hiding and being scared is not a noble way to live. He taught academics to his students but he has also taught them about the harsh realities of life and the beauty behind every hardships.

It is a wonderful tale of love, hope, and courage that we also need today. The wars we fight every day are far from over. We need tales of hope and love to continue to thrive and grow. And this book, though fiction, might teach us exactly those things.

I have known of Januz Korzeck for a long time. this account of his life is an extremely valuable addition and deserves to be read by as many people as possible. His life, story and heroism are a story we need in our time

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the chance to read this. This WWII novel took my breath away almost instantly. It's chock full of wisdom, insight, tragedy, unimaginable horrors, courage and love. This book is based on the journal of Janusz Korczak but above all is a work of fiction. Born in a Jewish family, Janusz vows not to have children for fear they will develop madness like his Father. Instead he pursues University to study medicine. He became a pediatrician and also served in WWI as a medical doctor for the Imperial Russian Army. Janusz had a radio program and traveled Europe.

He meets Maryna Falska and they found an orphanage, called Dom Sierot. They dedicate their lives to the children. Janusz inspired the Declaration of The Rights of Children which was unanimously adopted in 1959 by the United Nations General Assembly. He was well known for his radio program, pedagogical and educational contributions. This remarkable man was accused of being Anti-Russian based on comments he made. He refused to wear the Nazi armband. He didn't practice his ancestral faith until the end of his life, perhaps more to comfort the children.

September 1939, WWII begins. In October 1940, thousands of Poles are ordered to leave their homes and Jews are forced to live in the Ghetto that had been established for them. Food, medical supplies and overcrowding cause disease and starvation. The situation becomes more dire as time passes. We see the love and work of the orphan workers to love and care for the children. We see through Janusz the terrible and appalling living situation. The deaths of many, including children. In July 1942, deportations of the Jews begin. Hundreds of thousands are sent to their deaths in Treblinka. Janusz refuses to leave the children and stays with them until the end.

I was sobbing at many parts of the book but especially the end. I've read several books on WWII from the perspective of Resistance workers, actual survivors of the death camps and doctors that performed experiments at the camps. But this view of the Ghetto... undescribable. I feel honored to have read it. Truly remarkable.