About the Author

Jennifer Roy is the author of the modern classic Yellow Star, the true story of her aunt's survival during the Holocaust; the award-winning Mindblind about a teen with Asperger's Syndrome; and the best-selling Trading Faces series co-authored with her twin sister, Julia DeVillers. Jennifer and her family currently reside in Saratoga Springs, New York. Meg Owenson is an Illustrator and concept artist who works from her small seaside studio in Scarborough, UK. Since graduating with a degree in fine art she has worked on everything from computer games and film to books and apparel.

Reviews

History is full of stories about women whose love for people they didn't even know changed hundreds or even thousands of lives. During World War II, Irena Sendler helped save 2,500 Jewish children from the Holocaust. . . .Meg Owenson's illustrations will make you feel like you are right there beside Irena as she evades the Nazis and rescues children.-- "New Moon Girls, "Lacey Recommends""

This gripping story of a real-life World War II hero who helped to save 2,500 children from near certain death is sure to inspire young readers.-- "A Mighty Girl, "Telling Her Story: 40 New Books for Women's History Month""

...this book teeters between adventure, stark sadness, and daring, "almost-got-caught" moments that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. . . .Although Jars of Hope is a dark and tragic picture book, Ms. Roy's prose shines with the ultimate triumph of good over evil. Artist Meg Owenson's illustrations are detailed and precise, and her talent is not hidden despite the fact that the colors must, by necessity, be much darker than those shared in the typical picture book.-- "New York Journal of Books"

text and art convey a strong sense of the poor conditions within the ghetto, as well as the dangers faced by Jews and those who tried to help them during WWII.-- "Publishers Weekly"

A beautiful inspiring story that tugs at the heartstrings and makes me want to read more about this fascinating woman. Grab it for your library and classroom and share it!-- "YA Book Nerd"

Digital and traditional art in opaque dark browns and grays illustrates the sinister period and shadowy existence of these saved children. . . .A sensitive, discussable access point for children learning about Holocaust history.-- "Kirkus Reviews"

Each book in the Encounter: Narrative Nonfiction Picture Books series follows the life and work of a notable woman in history, framing her story in a way that young readers can understand. . . .Though careful not to take too many liberties with a historical text, these read like fiction and will spark the interest of many young readers. Each installment has a different illustrator, giving them all a unique flavor, and all have some sort of back matter that recaps the facts gleaned from the story. They vary somewhat in audience ranges but this is an interesting concept with an effective, highly visual approach.-- "Booklist"

Readers learn from the afterword that Sendler survived the war and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize but that she never considered herself a hero, merely someone doing the right thing. Roy's text is enhanced by the somber, expressive illustrations, created digitally and traditionally drawn.-- "School Library Journal"

The dialogue is fictionalized but based on actual events. The illustrations are grey and brown hues of oil paint signifying this dark and dangerous period in history. Mary Skinner, the Director and Producer of the PBS documentary "Irena Sendler: In the Name of Their Mothers," was a content consultant. . . .recommended where there is a demand for illustrated biographies on the subject.-- "Association of Jewish Libraries Reviews"

The evocative illustrations, created digitally and traditionally drawn, filling this illustrated biography add depth to this moving story while making it more accessible to young readers.-- "A Mighty Girl"

This inspiring narrative nonfiction picture book on World War II honors Irena Sendler, a Polish social worker who helps smuggle babies and children out of the ghetto before they're sent to the camps. . . .I love stories like this, true courage in the risk of great danger.-- "Imagination Soup"