WHEN THE UNIMAGINABLE IS THE ONLY THING LEFT TO DO…
They are innocent schoolgirls ranging in age from 14 to 22. Under normal circumstances they should be learning, laughing, and playing. Unfortunately, the year is 1942 and the place is Nazi-occupied Poland. Nothing is normal. On the night of August 11, dressed only in cotton nightgowns, they await their fate at the hands of their Nazi captors. They are no match for the Nazi beast—or are they?
Meanwhile, a young Jewish family is caught in a perilous game of cat and mouse with the Nazis in Berlin. How long can they possibly remain among the living? It’s getting harder to run, more dangerous to hide. The Nazis are hot on their trail, and time is running out for both the hunters and the hunted.
Rhonda is a successful television personality and a well-respected Jewish educator. With her aging mother still suffering scars left by the Holocaust some 70 years later, she decides it’s time to go to Germany, where she pitches her way inside the largest Nazi archive the world has never seen in an attempt to discover the truth about what happened to her mother during WWII. Will the secrets she unveils help heal her mother’s wounded soul? Or will the answers to her questions change everything she ever thought she knew about her family, her mother, and herself?
Inspired by true events, 94 Maidens is an unforgettable story of heroism, resistance, martyrdom, and survival.
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ON AMAZON ABOUT 94 MAIDENS:
“I would love to see a movie made. It could be as good as Schindler’s
List in the right hands.” Ash Quadir | 6 reviewers
made a similar statement
“Dive into this book and savor every page!” Avid Reader | 6 reviewers made a similar statement
“An amazing story by an amazing writer.” AJP | 3 reviewers made a similar statement
“I cried real tears!” MRosenthol | 1 reviewer made a similar statement
“This book is amazing in that it interweaves past and present so perfectly and brings history to life.” Read2Learn | 6 reviewers
made a similar statement
“94 Maidens is a rich story that would not only benefit an adult reader, but a mature teen as well. ” | 2 reviewers made a similar statement
“This book is a must read for all generations.” | 9 reviewers made a
similar statement
5.0 out of 5 stars! Packs a punch! March 10, 2013 By Ash Quadir – I had the opportunity to read the screenplay first, which
the book 94 Maidens is based on. While I really enjoyed the screenplay, the
novel had so much more depth and detail, that it really packed a punch. The
multiple story lines and the juxtaposition of past and present events was
handled seamlessly, and I really became emotionally involved in the characters’
fates. Not only do you pick up a good bit of history… there is a lot of
suspense and the pages turned quickly. And the fact that it’s a True story, is
all the more reasons that this novel should be read. To echo somebody else’s
review, it should be required reading at school… not just because it’s about
the Holocaust… but because it sheds light on the depths that humanity can
fall… and that even today history is repeating itself with oppression and
genocide of groups around the world. In the end, it’s a very uplifting story.
The author should be proud of the efforts she’s gone through to bring this story
to light. I would love to see a movie made. It could be as good as Schindler’s
List in the right hands.
5.0 out of 5 stars! Courageous, January 11, 2013 By Carol A. Cook – This book is a must read for all
generations. I have read many other Holocaust books, but this one was
completely riveting. From beginning to end, the author’s style is one of family
love. It is written for the mother from the mother. I could not put it down. I
felt as if I was involved in the true story of this Jewish family and the steps
they took for survival. The easy thing is not always the right thing and the
family in this book went through and witnessed many difficult to horrid ways
normal, everyday humans can act like animals when their hearts are so filled
with hatred. “…As long as our choices sanctify God’s name, they will be
right…” Choose love.
5.0 out of 5 stars! You Will Not Be Able to Put This
Book Down, January 10, 2013 By LeenersG – It only took me only 2 days (well,
nights) to read 94 Maidens. I just could not put this book down. The character
portrayals based on real people touched me in such a way I can not even
describe. I felt as though I was right there with Rhonda Fink-Whitman as she
discovered the truths about her family and others. There have been so many
books written about the Holocaust, many of which I have read, and I must say
this one was so well-written that it is hard to believe it is the author’s
first book. I look forward to more books and hopefully a movie based on 94
Maidens in the future.
5.0 out of 5 stars! I recommend this book to EVERYONE!, January
3, 2013 By Jody H. Kessel (phila, pa) – I brought this book along with me on my recent family vacation. Although
the calendar was about to ring in 2013 and the beach around me was sunny and
warm, I was transported back some 70+ years to Nazi Germany and Poland. The
book is impossible to put down. The story is so well-written that you can’t
help but carry it with you and make time to read it every chance you get. The
true story weaves together a family’s journey through the terror of the rise of
Nazi Germany and a private girl’s school “family” in Poland, as it
too, falls to the Nazis. The author details her own personal investigative
story through the book and adds a perfect current reflection on the past. This
book should be a must-read for every adult and classroom around the world. As
you read through to the end, you’ll want to read it all over again. And you
will most CERTAINLY pass the recommendation along.
5.0 out of 5 stars! An excellent story for all ages, December
27, 2012 By Book Maven – This
book is written with love and context that can be enjoyed by all readers
interested in reading stories about the Holocaust. I found it easy to connect
with the characters and could not put it down once I started to read. Great
book. I recommend it to readers even as young as 7th or 8th grade and have sent
it to my daughter’s history teacher for him to read. Great book. Thank you for
sharing your story.
5.0 out of 5 stars! A
powerful novel about a triumph of human spirit and dignity…that can empower
generations, December 17, 2012 By Neal R. Voron – Circumstance doesn’t just affect “other
people”, and history pages reflect real events, no matter how surreal or
distant they may seem. Sometimes you just don’t know how others’ life events
have affected YOU – until you learn, IF you learn.
Millions of people know Rhonda Fink-Whitman as a TV & radio personality or
traffic reporter. Far fewer – but an important group – know her as a caring
religious school teacher who, besides teaching about Jewish history and
traditions, has the responsibility of introducing students to the tragedy of
the Holocaust. Along with that – and being a mother, wife, and future Bubbie –
researching, writing, and sharing 94 Maidens may be her greatest legacy and
gift to the world.
The author’s personal, real-life journey – to places, times, and experiences
where most would dare not venture – brings home a powerful novel about a
triumph of human spirit and dignity during the Holocaust and a sense of
connection that can empower generations to appreciate – and preserve – the
future by understanding people and the past. 94 Maidens by Rhonda Fink-Whitman is an important and worthwhile read.
5.0 out of 5 stars! A must read for everyone!, December
16, 2012 By Ilene Cullman – Rhonda did an amazing job by
bringing past and present together in her search for her family’s life during
the Holocaust . The memories and stories of these people will always live in my
heart and of those that read this book. I could not put this book down and
completed it in 3 (busy) days.
5.0 out of 5 stars! A Treaure, December 10, 2012 By Read2Learn – This book is amazing in that it
interweaves past and present so perfectly and brings history to life. Through
her contemporary, vivid and detailed account, Rhonda takes readers along with
her on her quest through the modern, formerly Nazi-occupied cities of Europe,
and continually sends readers back in time and *shows* them what happened.
There are parts of the book that can easily stir up tears and anger and
disbelief over the atrocities of the Nazis. But the story is also full of so
many bright and beautiful moments, anecdotes and inspiring messages that
illustrate the innocence and humanity of a group of unjustly victimized people.
Rhonda maintained a delicate balance of material in this way.
Overall, one will truly feel changed after reading this book, with a newfound
respect for both the wonderful gift of freedom that is so often taken for
granted, and for those innocent people who had this most precious gift taken
from them, simply for living as they believed. It is difficult to image the amount of time, research and effort that went into
the creation of this carefully-written treasure of a book. It should be read by
everyone!
5.0 out of 5 stars! Amazing book, a must read, December 8, 2012 By BookEnthusiast – Highly recommend 94 Maidens as an accurate depiction of history which we must not
forget. It is so hard to imagine such complete and utter disregard for human
life, but Rhonda Fink-Whitman cleverly illustrates the horrors of the Holocaust
in this novel. I now have a much more personal knowledge of this time through
the accounts portrayed, more than I’ve gotten from most other resources. I’m
blessed by the time and effort the author put into her research. This would
make a wonderful, poignant gift for all ages.
5.0 out of 5 stars! A great, great book!, November 29, 2012 By rinakop
– Having just read the book, it is difficult for me to set into words my
thoughts simply because of the impact this book had on me. It left me weeping
for the unimaginable cruelty of these monsters and in awe of the selfless acts
and sacrifices made by the so many in this book. How throughout all the
agonizing pain endured (much in silence), their faith is what helped them to go
on, comforted them. I love how the book was written, describing the events that
led up to you entering that place in Germany is so Rhonda! I loved it!
You made me smile on occasion, cry at others. The book was so well constructed,
so rich with detail and you took me along to finally tell your mother’s story –
her life story. I am honored to have had the opportunity to read this book. I
am buying multiple copies as gifts to all my loved ones. It was a book I hated
putting down . Thank you for writing this book, Rhonda. Thank you.
5.0 out of 5 stars! Inspired by true events, 94 Maidens is an
unforgettable story of heroism, resistance, martyrdom, and survival., November
28, 2012 By JeannieB – Written by Rhonda Fink-Whitman, a well respected Jewish
educator, whose mother endured the Holocaust. An authentic emotion churning
telling of the atrocities yes, but more importantly of the courage and tenacity
of these 94 maidens. Read it!!
5.0 out of 5 stars! Beautifully interwoven stories, November
25, 2012 By MRosenthol – 94 Maidens is a book that you will pick up and finish
in one or two sittings. The author is efficient and the stories not only move
quickly but are PERFECTLY interwoven! Fink-Whitman will take you on a ride
through history and land you firmly in the present. Not only will you will find
out what happens to everyone, but be able to dive in even deeper into the story
as it is based on actual events. The characters are so perfectly developed that
I don’t think you can hear about the survivors of the holocaust and their
families again, without feeling like you are one or the other. I cried real
tears!
5.0 out of 5 stars! Put this in the schools, November 17, 2012 By
justBstill (Lafayette Hill, PA United States) – 94 Maidens is a rich story that
would not only benefit an adult reader, but a mature teen as well. The story
includes young children that I believe other teens could relate to. If you are a
Hebrew School teacher or History Teacher, this
book would serve your students well to stimulate discussion. The book is easy
to read which young people appreciate. I enjoyed that I could I read it quickly
and become engrossed in the story.
5.0 out of 5 stars! Great read, October 24, 2012 By DLB – I loved how
Rhonda told the story. It flowed so beautifully throughout the book. The
characters came to life. Not only did you feel for each character, but you felt
you were right there. It was definitely a book where you could not put it down.
It left me feeling how brave these people were in such a horrendous time. A
must read. I would also recommend this book for a book group. It lends itself
to great discussion.
5.0 out of 5 stars! A Must Read!, October 24, 2012 By MJ – This is a
story that must be told over and over again. Powerful emotions with every turn
of the page.
5.0 out of 5 stars! Amazing, October 18, 2012 By AJP – Rhonda Fink
Whitman tells her family story. She has a gift with words and you do not want
to put the book down until you have finished the book. I got so engrossed in
the story that my emotions got the best of me. An amazing story by an amazing
writer. Reminder is so true, those who do not remember history are bound to
repeat it.
5.0 out of 5 stars! This Book is A Treasure!, October 13, 2012 By Avid
Reader (Pennsylvania, USA) – As you ride the emotional
roller coaster that is this book you become part of the story. The characters
are so real that you experience every event as if you are alongside them. This
is a real page-turner and is difficult to put down! You’ll learn something from
the struggles described in this book. Rhonda-Fink Whitman really knows how to
tell a story. Dive into this book and savor every page! It is the best read of
the year!