This was such an interesting read as it was a side of world war 2 that I was not aware of. It is a tale of Sabine Zlatin and her amazing journey trying to aid children during such a tragic time. This was such an amazing and heart wrenching story that I would definitely recommend to anyone who wants to know more about the holocaust and the effects that ww2 had on so many innocent children and people. I do however wish that I had this story in text rather than audio because I did find that I am not the best at focusing when a story is being spoken rather than being read

The House of Izieu is based on the real life of Sabine Zlatin. Sabine was a Jew living on false papers during WW2. Her husband was a farmer and she trained with the red cross for a bit before being forced out for safety due to her identity.
Sabine always wanted children of her own but was unable to conceive. She instead became a surrogate mother for dozens of children separated from their families in an attempt to save them from the camps/round-ups.
Sabine along with others started up The House of Izieu. The house was formerly used as a Catholic Summer Camp and as such was seen as an opportunity to hide in plain sight with the 40+ children that they were caring for.
Throughout the book there are real-life letters that the children and other individuals involved with the house sent or received. All of the characters (except one according to the author's note) had the name and was based on a true individual from history. The author made up how they filled their days as well as individual personalities but tried to do justice to the children and adults involved in the best possible way.
The story will absolutely break your heart but it was an amazing tale of the lengths some individuals went to try to protect the most vulnerable amongst themselves. If you are a fan of WW2 historical fiction I recommend checking this one out.

The House of Izieu is a novel inspired by the real life experiences of Sabine Zlatin. Sabine was a Jew during WW2 and had fake identity papers to cover her as protection from the Nazis. Sabine and her husband housed 44 children for families trying to find their children safety from the Nazi regime. She was able to do this successfully for one year until someone tipped off the the whereabouts of the home. While away working on getting additional papers to cover the children’s identity, Sabine was notified the home had been raided and her husband and all the children had been taken away to a concentration camps.

This is a wonderful story about the unselfish love of those during WW2 that went above and beyond to protect the children. It seemed that was of the utmost importance to everyone. Even having very little everyone did their part in providing safety and security for the children.

The primary reason for the three star review was the narration of the story. The voice was very monotone and did not provide any sympathy for the characters. Also, in my opinion it would have been much more heartfelt if the children stories were narrated by children. Having one voice throughout the story just did not provide the connection to characters that I felt was needed.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This historical fiction is written from the viewpoint of Sabine Zlatin; Sabine rescued children at the beginning of WWII. Eventually she and her husband purchased a remote home in France and set up a mini hideaway for 40-50 children. In between chapters are letters from children; really unique in the writing technique and fits this story perfectly.

Heartbreaking; but a must read.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher (Inanna Publications) and the author, Jan Rehner, for the opportunity to listen to the advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. Publication date is 01 April 2021.

As Fan of WW2 stories, The House Of Izieu is definitely one of the best books I've ever read about the terrible times of the war, not only we get to meet many of the amazing real heroines and heroes of that time but we also get to learn and remember the many children that paid the price of a war that was unnecessary and broke many families apart.

This is the story of Sabine Zlatin, a woman that should be remembered in every book as the woman who did the impossible to build a safe place for many children that were left orphan or were separated from their parents.

The story of The House of Izieu should not be rated, it is the true story of Sabine Zlatin, it is the real story of many children, that suffered the many atrocities of the war, it is the story of many families who fought so hard to keep their children alive even if that meant knowing they will die after leaving them behind.

Sabine Zlatin couldn't have children, she and her husband love each other immensely, she was losing any hope of conceiving any time soon but life has a funny way to give you what you asked for and this was the case for Sabine and Her Husband they didn't know that in a matter of months they will have to do everything in their hands to help as many children to survive the terrible war that was breaking many families and countries apart.

The House of Izieu was born with the purpose of saving and rescue as many children as they could from the atrocities of the war in a matter of weeks and months, they were able to get help from people around the village, a teacher, a cook many were willing to help and contribute keeping these children happy, secure, and alive.

In the House of Izieu, we get to know how everything started, who was there to help, how many children were able to save, the animals, the beautiful place, and the green lands that surrounded this beautiful piece of heaven.

I cried so much with this book, with every story of a boy and girl trying to find a safe place to survive, Sabine Zlatin was an impeccable woman, it is one of those heroines that will inspire you and even move you, to care for what is happening all around you, to look up and see through the eyes of the people who feels lost and needs a kind word to survive.

The House Of Izieu will break your heart many many times but also will give you hope, will give you love, and will bring a huge smile to your face while getting to know each character and person who was there giving their love and their time to all the little angels that were only seeking for a safe place to call home.

I could go on and on about the amazing stories of this house and Sabine Zlatin but I always have a hard time writing my feelings about a book that I love and felt in love with.

Overall as I said before this is a book to cherish and to share if I could I will give it 10 stars and more I'll. it is a book that deserves all the love and recognition.

Thank you, Jan for writing such an amazing book and letting us know about the House of Izieu, about the lives of these angels, and about Sabine Zlatin a true heroine that I will keep in my heart forever.

This book is based on many real people and the work they did during WWII to protect over 40 children.
The stories were told of each child from their point of view, which I enjoyed. The tale was heartfelt and emotional. I got through the book and loved the ending.

I do have to say that I am certain that had I read this book on my own, I would have been more excited about it. The narrator was very monotone and bland. I could not get into this story deeply which affected my review.

This was both beautiful and heart-breaking. I am so glad I was given the opportunity to listen to this audiobook. The House of Izieu is based on a true story of Sabina Zlatin, a Jewish that changed lives during WWII. Sabine and her husband, Miron, got married and owned a farm; however, because of the war, they had to sell their land and move around. She decided to join the Red Cross and worked at a military hospital as a nurse. She then started working for an organization that took care of children displaced during the war. They tried to save over 60 Jewish children during the Nazi invasion. She and husband took care of them at the House of Izieu in France (now a museum) - an old boarding school that they rebuilt/renovated with the purpose of taking in refugee children during the war. Unfortunately, things take a turn. Most of the characters in this book are based off real people and their stories. We get different perspectives, such as Sabine, the children, and others that had helped protect these children. There were times where I just had to drop everything I was doing and swallow my tears. I would highly recommend reading this.

I had to rate the book to post a review, but I will not be posting it anywhere else until I read the physical book. It would be unfair to the author to do so. The narration of this story is horrendous. The speakers’ voice is completely monotone presenting a lack of depth. They speak so slowly that I had to speed it up, but any speed increase whatsoever causes the narration to become very robotic. By far the worst audiobook quality I’ve experienced. I honestly don’t understand how it made it to this stage. I wouldn’t want ANYONE reviewing my book after listening to this.

I ended up buying a copy of the book on kindle because it sounds wonderful and I’m sure it is when it’s handled properly.

Keep in mind I am rating this purely based on narration and not the story itself. Please, read this book if you are interested. Just don’t listen to the audiobook 😂

The House of Izieu by Jan Rehner was an inspirational story about a woman named Sabine Zlatin who tirelessly and courageously tried to help Jewish children during the Holocaust in any way she could. I listened to the audiobook that was brilliantly read by Alison Matthews. The actual story was inspired by real events and actual people. It took place in France prior, during and after the Nazi invasion. It was expertly researched. I became totally engaged in Sabine’s story from the very beginning. Her efforts to help hide Jewish children were nothing short of heroic.

Sabine was born to a Jewish family in Poland. She was the youngest of twelve children. Her father had been an architect and often called Sabine by the pet name of Yanka. Sabine felt stifled in her little town in Poland where she grew up. She hated the growing anti-Semitism that was spreading throughout Poland. In the mid 1920’s, Sabine left Poland and eventually settled in Nancy, France where she began to study art history. One day, Sabine caught the eye of a very handsome young man. The young man, Miron Zlatin, had also fled his homeland in Russia. Miron was also Jewish. He was enrolled in a graduate program in Agriculture. Miron’s dream was to be a farmer. The two fell in love and married in July of 1927. Sabine and Miron bought a poultry farm a few years later in the north of France. The couple was happy and in love but never had children. Sabine wanted children more than anything. When year after year she remained barren a deep and sad hole grew in Sabine’s heart.

When World War II broke out, Sabine found comfort and a calling as a nurse with the Red Cross. Then the Germans advanced into France and Sabine and Miron moved to Montpellier where they were safer. Sabine worked in a military hospital there as a nurse. In 1941, the Vichy France government was established and again it became unsafe for Sabine and Miron so they sold their farm and moved once again. In the French occupied zone, Sabine began to work for the OSE, a charity organization for Jewish Children. She helped orphaned Jewish children leave internment camps.

In 1943, the Germans took over all of France, even the French occupied zone. Sabine and Miron once again were forced to move. This time they took 17 Jewish children with them and headed for the Italian-occupied zone. The couple was granted permission to buy a house in Izieu in the Rhône Valley. Sabine and Miron used every penny they had to purchase the house and fix it up. It would become the house of Izieu where they would hide Jewish children. There were 44 children by 1944. The children were safe, well fed and loved. It did not last long though. Sabine knew it was becoming unsafe for the children as the German presence increased. She planned to evacuate the children from the house of Izieu but she did not do it fast enough. On April 6, 1944 the Gestapo showed up unannounced. They were led by Klaus Barbie. All 44 children and the seven caretakers were deported to Auschwitz. They were sent to the gas chamber at Auschwitz. That day, 42 of the children and five of the caretakers perished. Miron and two of the teenage boys were put in a labor camp. They were killed in a forest by a firing squad. Sabine had not been present when the raid occurred. She had been traveling trying to make other arrangements for the children. It took Sabine years to get passed this.

In 1987, Sabine, an old woman by then, testified against Klaus Barbie in his war crimes trial where he was convicted. That same year, Sabine made plans to turn the house of Izieu into a museum. She wanted the memory of the children to live on within the walls of that house. The museum finally opened in April of 1994.

Throughout the audiobook, every child was heard. It was harrowing to listen to their tragic histories. Sabine Zlatin was a source of hope and stability for these orphaned Jewish children. Her determination, bravery and, courage went beyond what anyone could have ever expected. The House of Izieu was moving, captivating and tragic. It is a story that must be told and remembered. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to Inanna Publications for allowing me to listen to this advanced audiobook of The House of Izieu by Jan Rehner through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The House of Izieu is how historical fiction should be written. Most of the people in this book were real people and their stories are relayed to the reader with embellishments where necessary to fill in the blanks. Sabine, the other adults that helped her, and the children were real people who suffered at the hands of the Nazi regime. The House of Izieu is a real place where Sabine and other adults tried to protect Jewish children from falling into the hands of the Nazis. Never Forget!
Thank you #NetGalley for allowing me to give my voluntary opinion on #TheHouseofIzieu. I was given the audio version of the book. While the narrator did an okay job with reading the book, there are some things that could be better. There are a couple of mispronounced words, which isn't a huge deal. However, the biggest issue is that the narrator doesn't use different voices for different people. This doesn't usually cause a problem for me as a listener. In this case there is a section where each child tells the reader about themselves and with the same voice reading them, they all just run together. I think had a different voice been used, they might have come to life a little better.