Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (2017), 352 pages
Description
"The incredible true story of Michael Bornstein--who at age 4 was one of the youngest children to be liberated from Auschwitz--and of his family"--
Awards
Society of Midland Authors Award (Nominee — Children's Nonfiction — 2018)
South Dakota Teen Choice Book Awards (Almost Made It — 2019)
Grand Canyon Reader Award (Nominee — 2019)
Evergreen Teen Book Award (Nominee — Middle School — 2020)
Kansas NEA Reading Circle Recommended Book (Junior — 2018)
Teacher Favorites Award (2018)
New York Public Library Best Books: For Teens (Nonfiction — 2017)
Language
User reviews
LibraryThing member Beamis12
As I was reading this I read aloud to my husband a horrific statistic found within. I don't have the book in front of me so this is not a direct quote but I'm pretty sure it is right. Out of the hundreds of thousands of children that entered Auschwitz, only 59 under the age of eight survived. Four
I never before read about the youngest in these horrific camps, except for, those experimented on by Mengele, so this was a new experience for me. Michael's family was luckier than some because many of his family survived, in various ways, in various places, but they lost much as well. Not too mention their innocence and faith in mankind, their faith in their religious beliefs never wavered though, and provided them much solace. How the youngest were treated, how the few who did survive is of course heartbreaking, but again fortuitous circumstances saved Michael. This family is followed after the concentration camps, their attempt to return home to their small Polish town, and what happens afterwards. Their trials were not yet over.
This is a simply written book, by Michaels daughter, and it reads like a middle school or Ya rendering, but that does not change the message within. In fact it's simple prose made these experiences stand out starkly, these the reminisces of such a young boy. I try to spread these books out in my reading, sometimes I am successful, sometimes not, but for the few remaining whom have a story yet to tell, I will be there to read them.
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year old Michael was one of them. My husband asked me why I read these so very sad books and my answer was close to, the reason that Michael, at long last decided to tell his story. To never forget was my answer and I know many share this same reasoning but Michael's went even further. In his preface he states that he saw his picture, which is the cover photo, on a site for who believe the Holocaust was a hoax. The thread in that site citing that the children looked too well fed and healthy for it to be a believable event. Of course it isn't and the photo itself is explained in this book, how and why it was taken.I never before read about the youngest in these horrific camps, except for, those experimented on by Mengele, so this was a new experience for me. Michael's family was luckier than some because many of his family survived, in various ways, in various places, but they lost much as well. Not too mention their innocence and faith in mankind, their faith in their religious beliefs never wavered though, and provided them much solace. How the youngest were treated, how the few who did survive is of course heartbreaking, but again fortuitous circumstances saved Michael. This family is followed after the concentration camps, their attempt to return home to their small Polish town, and what happens afterwards. Their trials were not yet over.
This is a simply written book, by Michaels daughter, and it reads like a middle school or Ya rendering, but that does not change the message within. In fact it's simple prose made these experiences stand out starkly, these the reminisces of such a young boy. I try to spread these books out in my reading, sometimes I am successful, sometimes not, but for the few remaining whom have a story yet to tell, I will be there to read them.
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LibraryThing member lilibrarian
Michael Bornstein was one of the few child survivors of Auschwitz, librated by the Russians when he was only four. His personal memories of that time are limited, but he has pieced together his family's story by speaking to the other survivors who included his mother and grandmother, imprisoned
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with him. He tells of losing their home in a small Polish village, being imprisoned and the treatment of prisoners, and the stories of those family members who survived. Show Less
LibraryThing member rgruberexcel
RGG: A comprehensive account, including life prior to being transported to Auschwitz and life after through parenthood and grandparenthood. References to Jewish culture and family are valuable. Reading Interest: 12-YA
LibraryThing member rgruberexcel
RGG: A comprehensive account, including life prior to being transported to Auschwitz and life after through parenthood and grandparenthood. References to Jewish culture and family are valuable. Reading Interest: 12-YA
LibraryThing member LorisBook
My book club read the month of February was Survivors Club The True Story of a Very Young Prisoner of Auschwitz.
And as I was finishing this book in bed, my husband called out and asked me to rub his hair. And while this is something I do that helps him fall asleep, his words, and the emotions of
I paused and stroked his hair and it occured to me that throughout our lives, we are comforted by a gentle touch. It helps to reduce our anxiety..... it makes us feel safe... feel comforted.
This recounting of the young boy, Michael Bornstein, a prisoner for 7 months inside the walls of Auschwitz, is a true testimony to love. At a horrific time, when it was thought that all hope may be abandoned, the healing of the suffering that he endured was because he clung to his faith in the belief he would see his Mother again.
We realize that those we love will not always be around, but as we hug or kiss them goodbye, it is always with the hope - you'll come back to me.
Reviewed Library Loan
And as I was finishing this book in bed, my husband called out and asked me to rub his hair. And while this is something I do that helps him fall asleep, his words, and the emotions of
Show More
this read, caused me to weep.I paused and stroked his hair and it occured to me that throughout our lives, we are comforted by a gentle touch. It helps to reduce our anxiety..... it makes us feel safe... feel comforted.
This recounting of the young boy, Michael Bornstein, a prisoner for 7 months inside the walls of Auschwitz, is a true testimony to love. At a horrific time, when it was thought that all hope may be abandoned, the healing of the suffering that he endured was because he clung to his faith in the belief he would see his Mother again.
We realize that those we love will not always be around, but as we hug or kiss them goodbye, it is always with the hope - you'll come back to me.
Reviewed Library Loan
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LibraryThing member bookbrig
I started this on audio, and it was too difficult to listen to, so I switched to the book. It's a fantastic story, full of details about the Jewish experience that were so personal to the author's family and new to me. It's also incredibly heart-wrenching, and I definitely cried. You should read it.
ISBN
0374305714 / 9780374305710