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32 pp.
| Little Bee
| July, 2023
|
TradeISBN 9781499813067$18.99
|
EbookISBN 9781499814262$9.99
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Stevie Lewis.
A picture-book biography of the world’s all-time strongest female chess player traces the Hungarian trailblazer’s journey from child prodigy to becoming the youngest chess grandmaster in history. Wallmark relates how Polgár’s coaches and uber-supportive family helped her make all the right moves to maximize her talent, and recounts the iconic, aggressive endgames that propelled her to international stardom en route to her crowning achievement. The book does not stand on ceremony when it comes to calling out the flagrant misogyny in the chess world, but sacrifices some emotional texture by failing to register other challenges Polgár and her family faced. Lewis’s digital illustrations in a palette of mostly neutral colors underscore Polgár’s steadiness and cool-headedness, as well as the stability provided by her parents and sisters.
(2)
K-3
Translated by Noga Applebaum.
Illustrated by
Yael Albert.
In 1944, Francesco Tirelli (a real person) hides Jews from the Nazis--many in his closed-for-the-season Budapest gelateria. While in hiding, teenaged Peter (Meir's father-in-law) creates a menorah using a chocolate mold and cooking oil. The illustrations' rosy tones give way to shadowy blues, allowing the menorah's light to stand out. The gentle, smoothly translated text doesn't offer many details but should work well as a discussion starter. A hopeful tale of kindness, resourcefulness, and comfort in traditions.
Reviewer: Shoshana Flax
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2019
(3)
4-6
A middle-school project prompts violin prodigy Charlotte (known as Charlie) to research the great-aunt for whom she was named and who disappeared during the Holocaust; her persistent detective work leads to unexpected discoveries about her family. Sweet twelve-year-old Charlie's story provides an accessible entry point into the Holocaust and its connections to people living today, with a dash of hopefulness amid the difficult history.
(3)
YA
Blood Rose Rebellion series.
After Anna (Blood Rose Rebellion) broke the Binding spell, supernatural creatures roam free in Europe. Meanwhile, Anna is still unsure of her chimera nature as well as the path she desires in a frustratingly unjust world. Bouncing from opulent Hapsburg-ruled Vienna to the bandit-controlled Hungarian backroads to the supernatural realm, this historical fantasy integrates beings from Eastern European and Slavic lore into its nineteenth-century setting. Author's note appended. Bib., glos.
(4)
K-3
Encounter series.
Illustrated by
el primo Ramón.
Sixteen-year-old Hedy and her family must overcome numerous obstacles on the perilous journey from Hungary through Nazi-ruled territory to Lisbon and on to America. Gray- and sepia-toned illustrations reflect both the time period's dark history and the family's struggle to survive together. While a bit wordy, this story illuminating the author's family history nevertheless offers a worthy contribution to the Holocaust canon. Reading list, timeline. Glos.
(3)
YA
In 1847 London, Anna is part of Luminate society--noble magic-users under tight political governance--but she cannot use magic herself; instead, she disrupts it by breaking spells. After unintentionally ruining her sister's debut, Anna leaves for revolutionary Hungary where she must negotiate those who would use her for rebellion. This historical fantasy takes on self-determination, classism, and bigotry in its period-appropriate narrative. Bib., glos.
176 pp.
| Hachai
| November, 2015
|
TradeISBN 978-1-929628-85-8$15.95
(4)
4-6
Illustrated by
Jacky Yahri.
When the Nazis invade Hungary, six-year-old Tuky and her little brother and cousin are sent to the country and given new, non-Jewish names; betrayed by a neighbor, they end up in a detention center. The story, based on Rosenfeld's mother, ends happily. This Holocaust book's blend of young-reader accessibility and heavy content can be awkward (especially in the illustrations). Glos.
249 pp.
| Candlewick
| August, 2013
|
TradeISBN 978-0-7636-5583-9$16.99
(3)
YA
Amy's best friend's older sister, Claire, is an up-and-coming ballerina who seems to be deeply unhappy despite her success. Always ready to offer guidance, thirteen-year-old Amy and her eighteen-year-old aunt Clover, an advice columnist for a teen magazine, investigate what's behind her misery, traveling from Dublin to Budapest. Innocuous friend and family drama rounds out the lightweight but entertaining installment.
136 pp.
| Houghton
| January, 2012
|
TradeISBN 978-0-618-50755-9$18.99
(2)
YA
In Hungary in 1944, Wallenberg became involved in trying to save the Jews of Budapest and in so doing became "the world's conscience and voice." In this thoroughly researched and well-documented volume, Borden uses the power of free verse and vigorous language to infuse the text with an energy perfect for revealing Wallenberg's deeds. Appended with "more on Raoul Wallenberg's story." Bib., ind.
Reviewer: Dean Schneider
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2012
170 pp.
| Front
| November, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-1-59078-518-8$16.95
(3)
4-6
In post–WWII Budapest, a young Jewish girl struggles to understand the violence and dreadful changes happening in her country. Helping her mother sew black-market stuffed bears, she eventually accepts her beloved brother's decision to defect to the West. Cheng has created a well-crafted narrative and an appealing main character in a setting with which many readers may not be familiar.
116 pp.
| Farrar
| June, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-374-39978-8$16.00
(2)
4-6
In these nine anecdotes, Siegal recalls summers on her grandmother's Ukrainian farm. Her experiences include cooking (recipes are appended), mushroom hunting, and feather plucking. Though the setting is pre-Holocaust, there's already tension between Christians and Jews; the book's last paragraph tells Babi's fate. Siegal is notably able to project characters vividly, to write simply without condescension, and to interweave themes without preaching.
Reviewer: Betsy Hearne
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
September, 2008
32 pp.
| Whitman
| March, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-8075-4644-4$16.95
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Will Terry.
In this retelling of a Hungarian folktale, Little Rooster finds a diamond button, which is quickly taken by a greedy king. As Little Rooster tries to get it back, the king doles out punishments, which Little Rooster foils by means of his conveniently magical stomach. The textured acrylic illustrations depict startlingly pop-eyed characters.
129 pp.
| Front
| October, 2006
|
TradeISBN 1-932425-21-7$16.95
(3)
4-6
When Hungarian relatives join Peti's family in their small apartment in America, Peti's parents are overwhelmed with worry for those still behind the Iron Curtain and do not notice that Peti's cousin is bullying him. This is an emotional story about a quiet boy who, with the help of his local librarian, learns to stand up for himself.
389 pp.
| Dutton
| August, 2006
|
TradeISBN 0-525-47732-2$18.99
(4)
YA
Pampered from childhood, sixteenth-century countess Erzebet fears a prophecy predicting her early death or eternal youth. Encouraged by a shadowy suitor, she bathes in peasant girls' blood (reflected by the red ink printing bleed that serves as a footer on the pages) to achieve the latter. Despite the initial slow pacing, readers will be intrigued by the claustrophobic atmosphere and unreliable narrator.
115 pp.
| Front
| April, 2005
|
TradeISBN 1-932425-20-9$16.95
(2)
4-6
Juli's mother commissions a lavish lace tablecloth for Juli's dowry. Even in 1933 Budapest, twelve-year-old bookish Juli, who narrates her own tale, sees options for herself that don't include marriage. With effective subtlety, Cheng chronicles the escalating tension between headstrong mother and daughter and gives this tale, unusual in time and setting, poignant relevance and credibility.
Reviewer: Susan P. Bloom
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
July, 2005
48 pp.
| Gareth
| January, 2003
|
LibraryISBN 0-8368-2544-6$$23.93
(4)
K-3
Welcome to My Country series.
These are cursory introductions to the government, history, geography, and architecture of the featured European countries. Though not in-depth, each book discusses several aspects of the culture and lifestyle in an easy-to-read text with pronunciation assists. Crisp and colorful captioned illustrations showcase the brightly costumed populace celebrating their heritages. Map, "Quick Facts," reading list, websites. Glos, ind. [Review covers these Welcome to My Country titles: Welcome to Hungary and Welcome to Poland.]
(3)
4-6
Easy Menu Ethnic Cookbooks series.
After briefly introducing the featured country or continent's history and cuisine and providing a page on kitchen safety, each of these cookbooks offers up to twenty-four recipes. The large color photos, variety of tastes, and cultural backgrounds are appealing, although some of the simplified recipes will still be difficult for intermediate cooks. There are four other fall 2002 books in this series. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Easy Menu Ethnic Cookbooks titles: Cooking the Lebanese Way, Cooking the Korean Way, Cooking the Hungarian Way, and Cooking the South American Way.]
96 pp.
| Gareth
| March, 2002
|
LibraryISBN 0-8368-2344-3$$29.26
(4)
4-6
Countries of the World series.
Beginning with an overview of a country's people and economy, each thorough survey in this series goes on to examine country-specific topics such as Solidarity or the Danube river in greater depth. A final section reviews the country's relations with North America. Long sidebars and captions on the color photos make the presentation choppy; maps and statistic sheets conclude each book. Bib., glos., ind. [Review covers these Countries of the World titles: Poland and Hungary.]
129 pp.
| Linnet
| November, 2001
|
TradeISBN 0-208-02505-7$$25.00
(3)
4-6
Translated by Irma Molnar.
Illustrated by
Georgeta-Elena Enesel.
Quite a few of these Hungarian folktales feature King Matthias, a very clever ruler modeled on a real-life king. Fresh, funny, and well timed, many of these stories will be new to American readers. The tales, illustrated with quirky black-and-white line drawings, are followed by notes expanding on the stories' historical background and sources. Bib.
32 pp.
| Groundwood
| September, 2001
|
TradeISBN 0-88899-443-5$$16.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Joanne Fitzgerald.
After a sultan takes a diamond button from a rooster with prodigious swallowing power, the rooster must use his talents in unusual ways to outwit the greedy sultan and get the button back. Elegant watercolors set the story in the time of the Ottoman Empire. A note about the story gives some additional information about this Hungarian tale.