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The Children's House of Belsen cover art

The Children's House of Belsen

By: Hetty E. Verolme
Narrated by: Deidre Rubenstein
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Summary

Hetty’s family was torn apart following the German invasion of the Netherlands. Rounded up by the Nazis and then separated from their parents, Hetty and her brothers were sent to the Children’s House, within Belsen concentration camp. As one of the eldest, Hetty became the ‘Little Mother’, helping to care for not only her siblings, but the other children as well. In a direct and powerful style, Hetty recalls one of the remarkable, largely untold stories of the Holocaust – the extraordinary struggle and survival of this group of children through those terrible years.

©2000 © Hetty E Verolme, 2000, 2009. (P)2011 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic reviews

‘This is an important, moving and beautifully written book and deserves to become a classic.’ (Judges report, The Fellowship of Australian Writers Christina Stead Award)
‘Overpoweringly poignant.’ ( Jewish Chronicle)

What listeners say about The Children's House of Belsen

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Heart-breaking!

Having been to visit Belsen 20 years ago as a serving soldier and learning the history, this story brings it all to life.
Be prepared and be strong!
God bless.

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8 people found this helpful

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What terrible things people can do to one another

A compelling listen and really puts you in the camp with the other children. Beautifully written and narrated and a must listen in my opinion.

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5 people found this helpful

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Very good book

Very good book, very involving story, great narrator, who was able to convey the drama without sounding pretencious or irritating.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

Children's House of Belsen

Ex

An extreme!y emotional account of a dreadful, dark time that should never be forgotten.

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3 people found this helpful

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Powerful

This true life story is very powerful. It really takes you into life in Belsen as seen and experienced by a young girl. What a brave girl she was and I wish her well in the future.

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3 people found this helpful

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Great book touching

The story start at the very beginning for a young Jewish women girl Nd doesn't really. Stop slow down until the end. Anger is there but the lpve she gives out l hope she gets back for the rest of our life and celebrated as a true heroine of the 2 nd WW

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2 people found this helpful

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Compelling Listen

This is a very compelling account of a your girl and her families horrific experience at the hand of the Nazis during WW2.

I do wish however that I had read the book rather than purchased the Audible version. I persevered to the end, but I found the narrators voice very shouty throughout and with very little intonation. I felt that the true feelings and emotions cannot have been conveyed in this reading, and I am sad to give a lower rating because of this. It may just be me, however I urge you to listen to the sample prior to purchase.

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1 person found this helpful

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This story must be read or heard. It was hard to continue at times but continue the reader must.

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1 person found this helpful

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Will we ever learn?

Such a sad tale.

What humans are capable of surviving is incredible - how these poor kids got through such an awful time, is beyond me.
What vile subhumans did (& continue to do) to others is beyond words.

This story is told in a very matter of fact, almost detached, way, but the treatment & suffering of those involved was obviously horrendous.
Stories like this STILL need to be heard - or maybe they need to be heard even more so in today's climate. Will we ever learn?


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Excellent, Brilliant...highly recommend!

Great book. Very sad story, which is important for us to hear. I was captived...

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