Passage to Freedom: The Sugihara Story (Rise and Shine)

Righteous Gentiles are recognized at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. These heroes risked their life as well as their family's during the dark days of the Holocaust. Passage to Freedom: The Sugihara Story, is one of the few picture books that documents this part of history. The back cover highlights both Jewish and Japanese culture by citing two prominent proverbs.The Jewish proverb- "If you save the life of one person, it is as if you saved the world entire." Japanese Proverb- "Even a Hunter cannot kill a bird that comet so him for refuge."The book includes an afterward by the son of the hero. Reading about the positive efforts of Righteous Gentiles provides a different perspective to the Holocaust. Sugihara had to decide whether he would follow his heart or follow his government's wishes. Few Holocaust era diplomats and leaders were willing to risk their job and their family's security. This book speaks directly to the choices that all people make. Standing up for what one believes is a character trait that should not be dismissed. This story raises many important questions that can be addressed at various age levels. I recommend that Sugihara's story be included in introductory discussions of the Holocaust.

This is wonderful story revealing quiet heroism and moral courage in WWII. The illustrations are beautiful and the book is nicely produced, but the Library binding does not include the Afterword by Hiroki Sugihara. This is a major omission by the publisher and clearly a mistake that needs correction. It is printed on the cover of the book that there is an Afterword by Hiroki Sugihara, yet it doesn't exist in the Library binding. This diminishes the educational impact of this wonderful story. I was planning to teach this book this week to my classes, but I will be returning it and getting the paperback version in the hopes that that edition is complete and includes the Afterword.

This beautiful story tells of a Japanese consul to Lithuania who risked everything to provide passports to fleeing Jews during WWII. It is a story of quiet courage, open compassion, and family strength. It is a loved and repeated read in our family.

Even though this is a "comic book" it tells the seemingly unknown story of Chiune Sugihara, who seemingly was a real hero for the Jewish community before World War II. As a member of Japan's consulate in Lithuania he issued thousands of travel visas for people who would have otherwise been trapped by the approaching soldiers of the third reich. Going against his government's instructions, he was able to save somewhere between 5,000 and 10,000 folks from a sure death. Why haven't we ever learned of him in History Classes? Here is a man who was able to do all of this and never fired a shot in World War II. A very worthwhile book!

The story of Mr. Sugihara's involvement in helping Jewish people in WWII is compelling and little known. I am especially interested in the nation/people of Japan but had never heard of this historic event. After reading the book I saw the video and found it fascinating as well. The book is written in a manner especially appropriate for school age children to read of one who chose costly courage, diligence, and compassion over personal safety and promotion at a tragic time in world history. In the Sugihara story, one also sees a family involvement in difficult decision making.

Loved the story. It’s an amazing, important account of a courageous man who should be remembered .HOWEVER, this book arrived with a ripped cover and curled edges. I wanted to give this book as a present, but couldn’t because of it’s condition.

Everyone knows about Schindler, no one knows about Mr. Sugihara. This is a wonderful story that should make the rounds. We can use more heroes, and Mr. Sugihara was most definitely a hero. The holocaust was an unspeakably terrible time in world history. Too many countries and too many people were complicit by action or inaction when Jews, Gypsies, Poles, political dissidents and homosexuals were slaughtered. The few people who followed their conscience are so amazing.

This book is an excellent way for anyone wanting a quick explanation about the Fugu plan and how one Japanese man saved thousands of Jewish lives during the Holocaust. I bought the book to read to the children in my religious school class and made sure to read it myself first, thinking also that I would buy an "adult" version of the story as well. However, the illustrations and the recounting of the events are very well done and easy to understand without being condescending. There are also additional notes at the end which are very informative.

This is a story about a Japanese diplomat during the Second World War, not a 'Chinese diplomat' as the Review says.This is an illustated book and children's education book, but the book description or review here doesn't say so.In 1940 the diplomat, Chiune Sugihara, issued special visas for 6,000 Jews in Lethuania to let them escape from the Nazi persecution. Japan was allied with Germany during the War, but it was mainly for their antagonism against their common enemy, Russia; not against Jewish people.The diplomat's episode has hardly been talked about until recently for some reason, but it's definitely a touching story.

This is powerful and little known story of a Japanese diplomat deserves wider telling. Though a picture book, it is long and has difficult subject matter - it is more suited to a Year Five / Year Six audience. Children I have read it with enjoyed access to an atlas at the same time, the book works well along units of study on World War Two.

Very sad, a short account of one family's life in war. They were very brave, too short a read though.

Danke für die einwandfreie Sendung. Das Buch ist für junge Leute sehr zugänglich weil viele Bilder den text illustrieren und geben die damalige Stimmung sehr gut wieder.

Amazing book!