The Cats in Krasinski Square

Author: Karen Hesse

Illustrator: Wendy Watson

Readability Score: Grade Level Equivalent: 3.5, Lexile Measure 990L, DRA: 38, Guided Reading: P

Genre: Historical Fiction

Theme: Jewish, Human Rights, Holocaust, World War II, Cleverness, Creativity and Imagination, Courage and Honor, Equality, Fairness and Justice

Characters: Young girl, her sister, and some friends, cats.

Awards: 2004 Sydney Taylor Honor Book by the Association of Jewish Libraries

Date of Publication: 2004

Publishing Company: Scholastic Press

ISBN Number: 0-439-4340-4

Summary

This is the story of a young girls journey to survive after escaping the Ghetto.  She lives with her older sister, and some friends.  They decide to smuggle food and with the help of some furry friends is very successful at it. 

Classroom

The teacher can use this story to discuss the hard times that came with WWII and the Holocaust.  The students can use problem solving strategies and create other ways they could have detoured the dogs.