Henrietta Szold took Queen Esther as a model and worked hard to save the Jewish people. In 1912, she founded the Jewish women's social justice organization, Hadassah. Henrietta started Hadassah determined to offer emergency medical care to mothers and children in Palestine. When WWII broke out, she rescued Jewish children from the Holocaust, and broadened Hadassah's mission to include education, youth development, and women's rights. Hadassah offers free help to all who need it and continues its mission to this day.

Three STARRED REVIEWS: from School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, and Publishers Weekly

Winner of the 2022 Sydney Taylor Notable Award from the Association of Jewish Libraries!

A Social Studies Notable from the National Council for the Social Studies and Children’s Book Council!

“A Queen to the Rescue: The Story of Henrietta Szold, Founder of Hadassah (Creston Books, ages 5-11), by Nancy Churnin with illustrations by Yevgenia Nayberg, begins with the birth of Szold (1860-1945) in Baltimore. The book covers Szold’s achievements even before and beyond the Hadassah era (who knew that Szold was the Jewish Publication Society’s first editor?) and concludes with her later years in what was then called British Mandatory Palestine. In keeping with the title’s “rescue” focus, the book highlights the Youth Aliyah endeavor through which Szold and Hadassah saved 11,000 children from the Nazis.”

A Queen to the Rescue recommended as a Summer 2022 read by Erika Dreifus in Moment Magazine. Read the article by clicking here.

2022 National Council for the Social Studies Notable Trade Books for Young Children, 6th-8th grades

Bank Street School of Education Best Children’s Books in the Biography and Memoir category

Released Oct. 5, 2021 with illustrations by Yevgenia Nayberg, from Creston Books, distributed by Lerner Books and Kar-Ben Books. Presented at Association for Jewish Libraries, nErDCampPA and NEWCaje in 2021. Starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Kirkus Reviews!

“What a breath of fresh air! A Queen to the Rescue shows us the true story of an older woman making a difference. It’s so important that young readers see examples of older adults in the role of helper.”—Lindsey McDivitt, A is for Aging Read Lindsey’s post here.

Recommended in Moment magazine by Erika Dreifus, in her article, New Children’s Books Chronicle the Lives of Prominent American Jews. Read the full article here.

A Queen to the Rescue is featured in School Library Journal’s recommended list of 29 books that celebrate all aspects of Jewish life, published in honor of Jewish American Heritage Month. Note the shiny red stars next to A Queen to the Rescue and Dear Mr. Dickens, noting that both received starred reviews from School Library Journal. Read the full article here.

Spotlighted in Forbes magazine here.

One of the top six books honoring courageous women, featured in the San Francisco Chronicle here.

On display at the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, a fitting place for a profile of a woman, Henrietta Szold and organization, Hadassah, that worked together to save 11,000 children from the Holocaust.

and available online at the Jewish Museum in New York City gift shop here.

Featured at a fabulous program featuring Hadassah CEO Naomi Adler at Congregation Beth Torah in Richardson March 13, benefiting children at risk in aliyah villages supported by Hadassah.

Had a blast at the Canadian premiere of a presentation of A Queen to the Rescue with Canadian Hadassah. I read the book and we helped heal the world by raising money for a Hadassah pediatric hospital in Israel.

Rabbi Leonard Cohen of Kehilat Shalom Calgary in Canada shares his inspirational words on the Esther-Henrietta Szold connection:

The yahrzeit of Henrietta Szold, February 13, 1945, corresponds with Rosh Hodesh Adar - the first day of the Jewish month of Adar, in which Purim occurs.  There is a well-known ancient Jewish saying, "Mishenichnas Adar Marbin b'Simcha" - once Adar begins, we increase our joy (Source: Babylonian Talmud, Taanit 29a), in anticipation of the celebration of Purim.  The connection between the date of Henrietta Szold's passing and the holiday which so inspired her, seems to suggest that she would have wanted her memory to be associated with the joy, celebration and Jewish redemption characteristic of Queen Esther's story.

In the Book of Esther, there is a remarkable quotation attributed to Esther's uncle, Mordecai.  The Jewish people had been threatened with extermination by the evil Haman, while the recently anointed Queen Esther remained secluded in her castle.  Mordecai conveyed a message to Esther, saying, "If you remain silent, relief and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from somewhere else.  Yet who knows if it was not for this very instance that you rose to royalty!"  (Esther 4:14) The message he conveyed to Esther was that she had a unique opportunity to bring about tremendous change.  When presented with the challenge of a lifetime, she stepped forward and used her unique gifts and wisdom to bring about the saving of the Jewish people. This quotation finds its parallel application to the life-story of Henrietta Szold.  A woman without exceptional wealth or privilege, Henrietta Szold stepped forward to use her unique abilities to mobilize and inspire an entire people, in order to bring changes that saved the lives of countless thousands and transformed the Jewish world.

At all times, and especially on the occasion of Purim, it serves us well to draw inspiration from the connected stories of Queen Esther and Henrietta Szold, and to consider the outstanding impact one Jewish woman's actions can have upon the people and world around her.

Read about A Queen to the Rescue in this Alberta Jewish News article by Irena Karshenbaum here.

And in Irena Karshenbaum’s story for The Jewish Post and News here.

Save the Date! Register from anywhere to hear Henrietta Szold’s story as part of the Brave Girls virtual series at the National Women’s History Museum in Washington D.C. May 25, 2022. Click here to register.

A Starred Review from School Library Journal: "Using concise but informative text, Churnin does an excellent job of introducing this dynamic woman in a picture book format. The accessible text includes extensive information in minimal space. Nayberg's modernist, expressionistic illustrations effectively capture Henrietta's powerful persona, along with the darkness of the times in which she lived." Thank you to School Library Journal and reviewer Amy Lilien-Harper!Read the full review here.

A Starred Review from Kirkus! “A powerful introduction to a little-known, very brave woman." Read the full review here.

A Starred Review from Publishers Weekly! “Elegant, assured prose (“The air was thick with tears for lost loved ones”), accentuated by facts and data, will keep readers absorbed alongside Nayberg’s engrossingly abstract, fluid illustrations, tinted in rich hues of blue-green and red. A moving biography of a lesser-known heroine. Back matter includes an author’s note, more information on Purim, a timeline, and a bibliography.” Read the full review here.

A rave review from Hadassah Magazine! “The first picture book biography of Hadassah’s founder, A Queen to the Rescue presents Henrietta Szold’s extraordinary life of service. Beginning with her early years in Baltimore after the Civil War, we learn about Szold’s efforts to help educate immigrants, her work as the first editor of the Jewish Publication Society and her founding of Hadassah as a women’s Zionist organization. Inspired by the courage of Queen Esther, Szold defied the limited roles for women of her time. The book shows how she moved to Palestine to fight poverty and disease, and later in her life, rescued thousands of Jewish children during World War II. Her legacy of hope and compassion continue in Hadassah’s work today. Churnin’s well-researched text is aimed at older children and features frank discussions of anti-immigrant attitudes and the violence of the Holocaust. Nayberg’s distinctive artwork hauntingly expresses the enormity of Szold’s mission and her determination to help all people in need.” Read the full review here.

A rave review from Jewish Book Council: “Churnin’s com­pre­hen­sive and inspir­ing text, paired with Nayberg’s rich mul­ti-lay­ered, expres­sive, and art­ful mixed-media illus­tra­tions, bring to life this remark­able woman who was long over­due for a pic­ture book biog­ra­phy. Par­tic­u­lar­ly impres­sive is the way Churnin con­nects the lessons of the Purim sto­ry to Henrietta’s life and accom­plish­ments, and how she pro­vides a con­cise, con­crete, age-appro­pri­ate expla­na­tion of Hitler’s rise to pow­er and the plight of the Jew­ish peo­ple in Europe.”— Rachel Kamin, Jewish Book Council

Read Rachel’s full review here.

A glowing review from Midwest Book Review in Children's Bookwatch September 2021:
Zionist leader Henrietta Szold (December 21, 1860 - February 13, 1945) took Queen Esther as a model and worked hard to save the Jewish people. In 1912, she founded the Jewish women's social justice organization, Hadassah. Henrietta started Hadassah determined to offer emergency medical care to mothers and children in Palestine. When WWII broke out, she rescued Jewish children from the Holocaust, and broadened Hadassah's mission to include education, youth development, and women's rights. Hadassah offers free help to all who need it and continues its mission to this day. Exceptionally informative, well organized, thoroughly 'kid friendly' in presentation, "A Queen to the Rescue" is the highly recommended picture book biography of Henrietta Szold and especially and unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, middle school, and community library collections for young readers ages 8-13.

Read the Midwest Book Review online here.

Thank you to the Association for Jewish Libraries (AJL) for this lovely review!

“Modeling herself on the heroine of the Purim story, Henrietta Szold employed courage and compassion throughout her life. It was fitting that she and a group of like-minded women named their humanitarian organization, “Hadassah,” which was Queen Esther’s Hebrew name. Szold’s efforts on behalf of suffering people were established early on, as she and her family responded to the needs of individuals devastated by the Civil War and then to the needs of Jewish immigrants arriving on American shores, where they were unwel- come outsiders. Traveling to Palestine, she found aid for people of all faiths, focusing on healthcare, food, and education. Perhaps her bravest deed was her unflinching determination to rescue Jewish children from the Nazi regime by going to Germany, putting her own well-being at extreme risk. Unmarried and childless, she was nevertheless a source of maternal comfort, settling refugee children in homes through the Youth Aliyah program. Churnin portrays the organizational skill and human kindness of her subject with love and admiration. She expands the main text with comprehen- sive back matter that includes additional historical information, facts about the Purim holiday and a timeline. Nayberg’s stylized cubistic illustrations are striking and convey the human crises that called for a great woman’s intervention.”—Gloria Koster, retired School Librarian – New Canaan, CT Public Schools, for AJL

A fabulous review from Booklist Online: "Churnin’s picture-book biography of Henrietta Szold brings this notable woman’s story to a new generation... Nayberg’s darkly beautiful illustrations emphasize the challenges, difficulties, and humanitarian crises that Szold’s work addressed."-- Thank you, Miriam Aronin and Booklist!

Read the full review here.

Verklempt for the amazing Sydney Taylor Shmooze review by the lovely Beth L. Gallego: “This is an exceptional introduction to a little-known figure with a major historical legacy. Hadassah is now the largest American Jewish women’s organization and continues to fight hate and antisemitism while working toward international health equity. Churnin keeps this biography relevant to young readers by highlighting Szold’s work with children, and the tone of the narrative reflects Szold’s determination to do good in the world, even as dark events are depicted with age-appropriate delicacy. It is a strong contender for the Sydney Taylor award.”

Read the full review here.

“This is an exceptional introduction to a little-known figure with a major historical legacy. Hadassah is now the largest American Jewish women’s organization and continues to fight hate and antisemitism while working toward international health equity. Churnin keeps this biography relevant to young readers by highlighting Szold’s work with children, and the tone of the narrative reflects Szold’s determination to do good in the world, even as dark events are depicted with age-appropriate delicacy. It is a strong contender for the Sydney Taylor award.”— Beth Gallego, The Sydney Taylor Shmooze. Read the full review here.

“Readers will see the impact of Szold’s work for immigrants, orphans, Jewish publications, and healthcare in Palestine as well as find themselves in awe of how one person can change the world.”—Liza Wiemer, Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle. Read her full review here and below.

"I liked this book because Henrietta Szold taught children that every kid could make a difference if they stood up and were brave. Your child or grandchild will enjoy this book for Hanukkah or Christmas. I’m wearing my Hanukkah shirt because my friend Doug bought this book for me, and I celebrate Hanukkah!"--Mila Vincent, MILA BOOKSIT, fyi50plus. Read Mila’s full review here.

“From being a school teacher, to founding a night school, to saving thousands of children from Hitler, that period’s Haman,, readers will be enthralled by Henrietta's courage! Despite risking her own life, not unlike Esther, Henrietta will inspire children to look for the good they can do.”—Michelle Nott, Two-in-One Picture Book Biography Review!

Click here for Michelle’s full review.

“She is a quiet and unsung hero. She was a woman in a time when women couldn’t do much at all, yet she continually found a way repeatedly to help others. This is a book that should be read RIGHT now. What our world needs isn’t more hate, but more help and love.”—Jena Benton Lasley, Simply 7

Click here for Jena’s full review and interview on her blog.

Read the Texas Jewish Post feature about the story here.

Hope, Courage, and Confidence: Writing Children’s Books That Encourage Children to Dream

Read the story about my journey with A Queen to the Rescue in the Jewish Voice in Delaware here.

Had a fabulous time with the Delaware Hadassah giving a virtual presentation of A QUEEN TO THE RESCUE on Nov. 21. Special bonus: it was my Mom’s 96th and we wished her a happy birthday! Click here.

2o22 Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable from the Association of Jewish Libraries!

A Queen to the Rescue made A MIGHTY GIRL list! Read about it here.

MORE BLOG POSTS

Speaking Up for Courageous Women Who Spoke Up and Changed the World, a Guest Post by Nancy Churnin. Thrilled to be featured on the Teen Librarian Toolbox, a blog of the School Library Journal here.

Why I Write Narrative Nonfiction. Always an honor to be featured on Melissa Stewart’s blog! Read my post here.

“Nancy’s books are among my all-time favorite Solutionary Stories—and her two latest ones about fascinating Jewish women are no exception! Nancy has the most compassionate storyteller’s heart, combined with a reporter’s nose to dig up the best research. Read on to learn more about Nancy’s books, and her broader mission.”— talking with Meeg Pincus about Solutionary Stories here.

“A beautifully written biography about a woman I hadn’t heard of, but I am very familiar with her legacy.”—Laura Roettiger on Laura Roettiger Books. Read her full post here.

Loved talking with Barbara Bietz on her great blog, Jewish Books for Kids here.

“I am driven not only by the desire to shine a light on people who make our world better for generations to come, but also for young readers to see themselves in these subjects. I want them to be inspired to be Lamed-Vav. I want them to think of ways that they could be the Eliza Davis or Henrietta Szold of their generation and put those ideas into action. It’s my dream always that the story doesn’t end on the last page of the book, but it continues into their lives as they consider what they can do to heal and sustain the world.”— Talking with Barbara Krasner on The Whole Megillah. Read the full post here.

Read about my book journey on Kathy Temean’s wonderful blog here.

Talking with Deborah Kalb on her terrific Book Q & As with Deborah Kalb here.

“Never forget that you are a gift to the world with the ability to understand and express things in a way no one has before. It may take a while for you to find a way to express your perspective. It may take a while for others to hear your music. But know you are music. Protect your song like a growing flower. When your stories bloom, it will be a beautiful day with much rejoicing.”—my advice to writers as part of an interview about A Queen to the Rescue with Lydia Lukidis on her Blissfully Bookish blog here.

Talking with Maria C. Marshall on her lovely The Picture Book Buzz blog here.

Talking with Melissa Berger Stoller on her fabulous 3-Question Interview blog here.

Talking with Darlene Beck-Jacobson on her wonderful blog here.

Talking with Vivian Kirkfield on her delicious Will Write for Cookies here.

A Theme to the Rescue! My Nonfiction Ninjas post on how finding a kid-friendly theme helped me find focus on a story with so much to say. Read it here.

Talking with the great Gila Green Writes about A Queen to the Rescue, Dear Mr. Dickens and Irving Berlin, the Immigrant Boy Who Made America Sing here.

Featured in fyi50plus in an article by Rae DeShong here.

Here is a coloring page created from book illustrations by Yevgenia Nayberg. Contact me for more!

Check out the dedicated page for the HEAL THE WORLD project, where kids can share ways in which they work with others to heal the world as Henrietta did.

And YES, we do have matching bookmarks. Check them out!