Requiem: Poems of the Terezin Ghetto

Title: Requiem: Poems of the Terezin Ghetto

Author: Paul B. Janeczko

Illustrator: Various (from the Terezin Ghetto)

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Publication Date: August, 2011

Genre/Format: Historical Fiction/Poetry Collection

Goodreads Summary: Paul B. Janeczko’s stirring new collection of poems goes inside the walls of the notorious camp to portray the indomitable spirit of those incarcerated there.

Hitler hailed Terezín (Theresienstadt) as a haven for artistic Jews, when in reality the Czech concentration camp was little more than a way station to the gas chambers. In his second book inspired by devastating history, acclaimed poet Paul B. Janeczko gives voice to this heartrending creative community: its dignity, resilience, and commitment to art and music in the face of great brutality. The many memorable characters he conjures include a child who performs in the camp’s now famed production of Brundibár, a man who lectures on bedbugs, and a boy known as "Professor," who keeps a notebook hidden in his shoe. Accented with dramatic illustrations by prisoners, found after WW II, Janeczko’s spare and powerful poems convey Terezín’s tragic legacy on an intimate, profoundly moving scale.

What I Think: Paul Janeczko has written such a haunting book of poetry. It is as if he transported himself to Terezin and lived the life of these people who he has created to tell us the story of the ghetto. Combined with the all too real artwork from Jewish artists from Terezin, Requiem is a brilliant collection of poetry.

This is one of those books that is really hard to review. There is anything negative to say and it is hard to portray through the review what the book contains. 

Read Together: Grades 8 to 12

Read Alone: Grades 9 to 12

Read With: Once by Morris Gleitzman, Terezin: Voices from the Holocaust by Ruth Thompson, Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys, Parallel Journeys by Eleanor H. Ayer, Briar Rose by Jane Yolen

Snatch of Text: 

"Victor Lizik/23790

Snow was in the air

as we marched from the station

that November afternoon

as solemn as the sky, 

three hundred volunteers

packed into Transport Ca-114 from Prague

to read the fortress

for those who would follow

to this play Hitler gave to the Jews. 

The Nazis watched

as we measured, sawed planks for bunks

three high, sometimes four, 

painted and plastered one barracks then another- 

Madgeburg, Dresden, Hanover, Hamburg- 

All with good German names. 

We knew others would come to this place, 

family, neighbors, strangers

to this place Hitler gave to the Jews

this "haven for the elderly."

The Nazis told us

that our work would help protect us

and others we knew would be arriving. 

So we sawed, painted, hammered..." (p. 3-4) 

"Hilda Bartos

This was a good town.

Quiet.

Isolated. 

My family farmed, 

raised goats for generations

before war arrived, 

a menacing visitor 

that took away my town

because its wall, 

empty barracks

would be easy to guard. 

They liked the railroad

so close to Bohusovice. 

I know this from Jakub

a ready listener at the tavern...

At Christmastime the first of the Jews arrived, 

an endless funeral procession 

of fumbling ancients, 

women with babes in arms, 

children stooped with fatigue and fear, 

men with hats pulled down

all bearing a yellow star on their coats. 

Through our streets a pitiful parade

to the barracks..." (p.. 33-34)

Mentor Text for: Poetry, Perspective, Historical Fiction, Attention Grabbers, Making Connections

Writing Prompts: Why did the Nazis allow the Jews at the Terrezin Concentration Camp to write, make art and play music?; How did the Nazis trick the Red Cross inspectors into thinking Terezin was a good place?; Why do we need to learn about the Holocaust and places like Terezin? 

Topics Covered: Holocaust, World War II, Terezin, Music, Art, Family, Death, Religion, Nazis

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