Amid the horrors of World War II, Irena Sendler was an unlikely and unsung hero. While many people lived in fear of the Nazis, Irena defied them, even though it could have meant her life. This gripping true story of a woman who took it upon herself to help save 2,500 children from the Warsaw Ghetto during the Holocaust is not only inspirational-it's unforgettable.
"...this book teeters between adventure, stark sadness, and daring, "almost-got-caught" moments that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. . . .Although Jars of Hope is a dark and tragic picture book, Ms. Roy's prose shines with the ultimate triumph of good over evil. Artist Meg Owenson's illustrations are detailed and precise, and her talent is not hidden despite the fact that the colors must, by necessity, be much darker than those shared in the typical picture book."
New York Journal of Books
"Readers learn from the afterword that Sendler survived the war and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize but that she never considered herself a hero, merely someone doing the right thing. Roy's text is enhanced by the somber, expressive illustrations, created digitally and traditionally drawn."
School Library Journal
"The dialogue is fictionalized but based on actual events. The illustrations are grey and brown hues of oil paint signifying this dark and dangerous period in history. Mary Skinner, the Director and Producer of the PBS documentary "Irena Sendler: In the Name of Their Mothers," was a content consultant. . . .recommended where there is a demand for illustrated biographies on the subject."
