“We Survived the Holocaust is an engaging monochromatic graphic novel that has readers tuned in to the atrocities that lead into World War 2 and eventually the Holocaust (Shoah). This graphic novel utilizes many unique graphic novel and comic conventions, as well as, text features to draw in young readers through adult readers. This novel is an excellent choice for parents, teachers, and librarians to incorporate into their book collections and libraries. While being true to Bluma and Felix’s story, the content of this graphic novel is age appropriate and illustrates the horrors the two faced, without graphic gore and violence.
This text was used with a larger 6th grade collaborative lesson and the students were truly captivated by the local (Columbia, South Carolina) connection. Students were able to draw larger connections about World War 2, while maintaining the intimacy of Bluma and Felix’s unique and individual stories. Attention to detail was given for historical accuracy of maps, human movement, and timelines issued during this time; a great way to innovate how timelines are taught and studied within social studies/ history classes.
We Survived the Holocaust makes Holocaust (Shoah) learning accessible, engaging, and innovative. Kudos to Frank Baker and Tim Ogline for a job well done of connecting the State of South Carolina to WWII and the horrors of the Holocaust (Shoah).”
– Jordan Henry, White Knoll Middle School – West Columbia, SC
“We Survived the Holocaust is an important addition to the growing library of Holocaust graphic novels. Neither gratuitously explicit nor sugar-coating of the horrific reality of the events it portrays, the book gives a sense, for younger readers, of how global events impact individual families. For Jewish readers, of course, the story will have special impact, but it is a significant cautionary tale for anyone who reads it.”
– Danny Fingeroth, comics historian and author of Jack Ruby: The Many Faces of Oswald’s Assassin
Excerpts from August 2024 Review:
“I recommend this book for mature teens…” “this book is as much a history lesson as it is a story of survival..” ‘….a critical book to add to a Holocaust curriculum.”
We Survived the Holocaust: the Bluma & Felix Goldberg Story is a graphic depiction of the story of two remark- able survivors, Bluma and Felix Goldberg. Told as parallel stories, both Bluma and Felix survived the horrors of the Nazi extermination camps, always one step from death. Felix escaped from a train before being recaptured, and Bluma went into hiding with her sister Cela for two years before being captured. Bluma and Felix were able to survive the war and rebuild their lives. The book chronicles both of the protagonists’ lives prior to the war, their war stories, and how they rebuilt their lives after the war. Bluma and Felix met in a DP camp and got married and came to the United States with Bluma’s sister Cela and her husband. The family settled in Columbia, South Carolina, where they were able to establish a Jewish home and a tile business. Bluma and Felix made the decision later in life to begin talking about their Holocaust experiences and it became an important part of their legacy. Throughout the book, the role of the mezuzah is an important symbol. The mezuzah was placed on their home in Columbia and at their tile store as a symbol of their Judaism and resilience.
The book contains family photographs, a general timeline starting from World War I, a detailed bibliography, and an index, which is unique for a graphic novel. The genre of Holocaust graphic novels has become more prominent and as result, the type of images being depicted are more life-like. Due to the graphic nature of some of the war images, this book is appropriate for young adults and older. We Survived the Holocaust is recommended for high school and public libraries.
Laura Schutzman,
Hebrew Academy of Nassau County, Uniondale, NY,
AJL Publications Chair,
Adult Review Co-Editor AJL News & Reviews
Review by AJL News & Reviews, (Association of Jewish Libraries, published Fall 2023)
“Part history lesson, part personal memoir, this graphic novel is up there with Art Spiegelman’s Maus and should be required reading about the Holocaust for teens on up.” – June 2024
“Considering that graphic novels are enjoying a growing popularity (again) in the US youth culture, I found the idea of a graphic novel version of personal histories and testimonies of Holocaust survivors a great notion. ‘We Survived the Holocaust: The Bluma and Felix Goldberg Story’ fully lives up to the genre’s potential.”
Excerpt from: From Ink to Inspiration: A Poignant Graphic Novel Illuminates the Resilience of Holocaust Survivors, April 2024, Jewish Book World blog review
“The scariest stories are true stories – and WE SURVIVED THE HOLOCAUST is a true story.”
A powerful and unforgettable story of the power of love within a family as they stand against the storms of hate. Accessible, heartbreaking, cautionary, and uplifting. Everyone in America should read this story. Every single person.
– Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author and educator
Mensa Bulletin Magazine – January 2024
“The book frames itself as ‘a cautionary tale of what happens when people stand by and allow antisemitism, hate and prejudice to run rampant,’ joining a repertoire of Holocaust sources that call a new generation to action over the fascistic tendencies still alive in our world….. Moving and important.” – Kirkus Reviews
“Baker’s frank prose is expertly complemented by Ogline’s realistic and noir-like art, rendered in striking b&w ink. This affecting work, which interweaves WWII historical facts among the family’s personal history, is vital reading.” – Publishers Weekly
“Certainly will be worthwhile to so many readers to come.” – June 2023
“…thoroughly researched graphic biography… Catering to young readers who may be unfamiliar with even the basic facts of history… Meticulous explanations of each stage of the Goldbergs’ lives… based on the assumption that young readers need to understand the process of Nazi genocide…” – April 2023
“Terrific Book! Great For Young Readers!!” – April 2023
“This is a book that should grace the shelf of every caring person.”
It brings to life the terror and hope that undergirds the most horrific chapter of history. Enduring inhuman times while preserving their human soul this story will change the way you look at life, for the better. Do not delay a moment but immerse yourself in this true epic tale. Everyone needs to know this story… and be moved by it.
– Rabbi Jonathan Case, Beth Shalom Synagogue, Columbia SC (as published on Amazon)
“This book is a great resource for teachers of the Holocaust.”
The text is clear and the illustrations reinforce the concepts. Students love graphic novels and this one is incredible. It brings the story of two survivors to life by emphasizing how normal these people were. The students can easily identify with them. Teaching six million is difficult; teaching two young people who are like us brings the history home. The book is targeted to older students, but can easily be adapted for fifth grade as well. An incredible addition to any classroom library; this book is a treasure.
– Marlene Roth, Educator. Columbia SC (as published on Amazon)
“Timely with respect to the once again rising tide of anti-Semitism in America and overseas, “We Survived the Holocaust: The Bluma and Felix Goldberg Story” is a valued contribution to Holocaust studies for young readers ages 14-17.”
A grim reminder for a new generation to ‘Never Forget’ what can (and did) happen to millions of men, women, and children simply because of the faith they were born into. In an effective graphic history telling style for young readers, “We Survived the Holocaust: The Bluma and Felix Goldberg Story” is unreservedly recommended for middle school, highschool, and community library collections and is also available for personal reading lists in a paperback edition (9781637610206, $19.99).
– Midwest Book Review – March 2023
“A deeply moving and very human view of the most inhumane time in our history. The story of Felix and Bluma Goldberg is a lesson in the heroic spirit of the human soul and the ability to see the beauty of life and the Hand of G-d even under the worst of conditions. A triumph of the spirit!”
– Rabbi Hesh Epstein, Chabad of South Carolina
“I was able to relate to Bluma and Felix, getting to know them like friends and neighbors, making the inhumane treatment they and others were subjected to even more horrifying.”
“Fantastic Way to Expose Young People to the Holocaust”
The author does a great job of telling this incredible story of the horrors of the holocaust and a family’s story of survival. The method of using this comic book type illustration is both interesting and an innovative way to acquaint not only adults but young people to this story of survival. My hope is that this book will be a tool to send the important message of “never again” to many young people throughout this country as we read and see the rise of anti-semitism in the dangerous times in which we live. Do not start reading it if you need to be somewhere because you will not be able to put it down. Thanks to the author for a job well done.
“We Survived the Holocaust would be a powerful and impactful teaching tool for high school students and does have triggering imagery. The book meets the Sydney Taylor Book Award criteria, especially because it stresses that the Holocaust is part of the Jewish story, not the entire story.”
“The general message is survival and heroism. Bluma and Felix Goldberg’s story is totally amazing, and it’s true, which makes it even better… We Survived the Holocaust is an excellent tool for teaching children about Nazis and the Holocaust.”
Drawing Conclusions from ‘We Survived the Holocaust’
“the graphic novel is the ideal means for carrying forward ‘voices’ beyond the life-range of the testimony-holders, they are the perfect format for time-capsules” – Rabbi Emeritus Rodney J. Mariner
“A moving and powerful story, and a strong book to put on shelves” – Mom Read It
