Book Review: Mister Doctor

Book: Mister Doctor: Janusz Korczak & the Orphans of the Warsaw Ghetto by Irène Cohen-Janca, translated by Paula Ayer with illustrations by Maurizio A.C. Quarello

Source: Borrowed from Publisher/NetGalley for an honest review

Publication: Available now

Publisher: Annick Press Ltd.

Description:

Nothing—not even the chance to live—makes Dr. Korczak abandon the children of the Warsaw Ghetto.

November 1940. One hundred and sixty Jewish orphans, forced by the Nazis to leave their orphanage, walk through the streets of Warsaw towards the ghetto. Led by their beloved director, Doctor Korczak, the children are defiantly joyful. In the ghetto, people everywhere are dying of disease and starvation, but the children’s spirits are sustained by the devotion of “Mister” Doctor.

These children will never grow up: in August 1942, they board the train that will carry them to the death camps. Offered his freedom, Doctor Korczak refuses to abandon the children and proudly joins them on their last journey.

This profoundly moving illustrated book, based on a true story, allows young readers to meet the remarkable man whose humanity and bravery still stand as a glimmer of light in one of history's darkest periods.



Rating: 5 stars

Review:

This is a hauntingly moving story that focused on the children of an orphanage and the doctor who cared for them as they struggle to survive in the forced confinements of the Warsaw Ghetto. Mister Doctor was told from one of the children's point of view as they relocated from their orphanage once the Nazis took over thus forcing them to move.

Despite the subject matter, this book is filled with heart as the children come to terms with their new way of living. The doctor was always trying to make everyday joyful for them even if the world seemed to become even more bleaker as the days went on.

There is amazing artwork that complements this compelling story. I only have one minor issue with the book is that the ending does not give the reader a clear understanding as to what happened to those who ended up boarding the train. But that maybe for the best since this book is for children and they may not be ready to handle the horrible details of what went on at the concentration camps.

Mister Doctor was inspired by Dr. Janusz Korczak, who was also an author and started working at an orphanage. Dr. Korczak later lost his life in the concentration camp alongside the children he cared for.