In 1935 Warsaw, 12-year-old Janek is an orphan who survives by stealing — until his legs are badly injured, and his sister sends him to a Jewish orphanage run by beloved educator Dr. Janusz Korczak. At first, Janek trusts no one. But life at the orphanage is unlike anything he has known, and slowly he begins to feel safe and even hopeful about the future. As antisemitism grows more dangerous in Poland, Janek grapples with his Jewish identity and history. When his sister has a chance to emigrate to Palestine, he must decide whether he’s ready to leave the orphanage and the life he has finally begun to build.
The PJ Our Way Book Selection Committee is always looking for moving historical fiction that feels authentic, well-researched, and deeply human. When We Had Wings delivers all of that — along with rich, organic Jewish content that’s thoughtfully woven into the story.
As one PJ Our Way reader noted, I really loved this book. There were certain parts of the book that made it very special. First of all, I loved all of the characters in this book, and how they always had their own personalities. You can somehow feel like you also are in this book, and that it is an incredible feeling.
This book is perfect for fans of Dave at Night, Black Radishes, and Once.
June 1, 2026