Malka Mass Market Paperback – March 17, 2005

It's rare to find such a story of Holocaust survival and even more rare to have that story reflect what a child experienced. This book is based on the true story of one young girl who, during an attempt to escape capture and imprisonment, lost her mother, her sister, and all others whom she could trust yet she managed to survive. Her survival was not without lifelong consequences. It is an unforgettable story of the will to survive enmeshed within the social shame of an era that deliberately discriminated against people during a time when in many countries, including the U.S., eugenics found favor.

This was for my grandson who was 14 at the time. He read and enjoyed it so much that he wanted my daughter to read it.

This book was an incredible experience... I read it in one sitting because I couldn't bear to stop. It was such a powerful look into the reality of what Hitler did, not only to the Jews, but how he brought out the best and worst of the Germans and othe people. I was impressed by the reality of the character descriptions... every person in the story was imperfect, as all people are. It was painfully easy to identify with some of the characters. This may be a bit powerful for younger readers, but will be an excellent discussion starter for teens (and adults) who could use some insight into cause and effect.

Seven-year-old Malka, her teenage sister Minna and their mother Hannah are forced to flee WWII Poland with only the clothes on their backs when soldiers are about to round up the town's Jews. Terrified, the trio crosses fields and forests all the way to the Hungarian border...where there is really no guarantee of safety either.Then the unthinkable happens. Hannah and Minna are forced to move on without Malka, who is too ill to keep up. Although they have left her in the home of Jews who promise to care for her until they reunite, Hannah is still haunted by having to abandon her little girl. It's a confusing time in Europe, when nothing is certain. How does Hannah know when, or if, the family will be reunited?Pressler's writing is detailed yet vague enough regarding the dangers faced by Jews in Nazi-occupied countries not to frighten young readers. The story of Malka, a real child, is a good introduction to the subject of the Holocaust.

This story was wonderfully written and touching. The only reason I gave it four stars is because it was a bit difficult to get into at first. As someone who is fairly unfamiliar with some of the historical locations and background referenced in the book, it was hard to follow at times. Ultimately, though, it was a good read.

i recently read this book over a w/end between washer cycles, pegging out, hoovering etc. From the start i was hooked and hated to put it down. youre given enough information and then your imagination can do its work. its not wordy, or overly sentimental either. I can recommend it as a good introduction to recent history, with no un-necessary horror or detail, the beautiful writing is enough.

Wow. This book was everything and more. I have always been interested in the history of the Holocaust, but this book really expressed the fear of the Jews during that time, specifically through the eyes of a 7-year-old girl, Malka Mai.Pressler wrote this book after speaking to Malka Mai (a real individual) about her childhood experience, though she mentions that many fictional details were added. In the book, Malka lives with her mother, Hannah, and older sister, Minna. They receive warnings saying the Germans are coming to town to raid the Jews out. Upon hearing this news, Hannah plans to escape with her daughters to Hungary. It's not until Hannah notices that Malka is struggling with restlessness and sickness during the escape journey that she decides to leave Malka with a family. Hannah plans for Malka to be sent back to her via train after her journey is completed.I appreciated this book so much in that I realized how grateful I should be on a daily basis, for something as little as water. The word "hungry" is mentioned in the book quite a lot, and I felt heartbroken every time Malka had to scrounge around for food without knowing where she was or whether she would ever see her family again. In addition, though I am not a mother, the book really expressed a mother's love for her daughter. The ending was sorrowful to say the least, but I can definitely see that Hannah never meant to hurt Malka. The narration switches from both Hannah and Malka, so I liked that I was able to read the minds of two different characters."Malka" is an appropriate read for all ages, and I personally think elementary/middle/high school students learning about the Holacuast would benefit much from this book. Thank you Mirjam Pressler, for writing not only an eye-opening book, but also a story that I will remember for the rest of my life.