Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (2017), 432 pages
Description
Historical Fiction. Young Adult Fiction. Young Adult Literature. HTML: *Recommended by Parents' Choice* This program features an author's note read by Dita Kraus. Based on the experience of real-life Auschwitz prisoner Dita Kraus, The Librarian of Auschwitz is the incredible story of a girl who risked her life to keep the magic of books alive during the Holocaust. Written with touching sensitivity by Antonio Iturbe, and translated by Lilit Thwaites, this audiobook provokes every emotional response and will not be forgotten. Fourteen-year-old Dita is one of the many imprisoned by the Nazis at Auschwitz. Taken, along with her mother and father, from the Terezín ghetto in Prague, Dita is adjusting to the constant terror that is life in the camp. When Jewish leader Freddy Hirsch asks Dita to take charge of the eight precious volumes the prisoners have managed to sneak past the guards, she agrees. And so Dita becomes the librarian of Auschwitz. Out of one of the darkest chapters of human history comes this extraordinary story of courage and hope. This title has Common Core connections.… (more)
Awards
Sydney Taylor Book Award (Mass Import -- Pending Differentiation)
Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — Intermediate — 2020)
Isinglass Teen Read Award (Nominee — 2020)
Texas Maverick Graphic Novels Reading List (Selection — Grades 9-12 — 2024)
Rhode Island Teen Book Award (Nominee — 2020)
Language
Lexile
940L
User reviews
LibraryThing member AlisonY
Well, you all know how I felt going into this novel - so how did it pan out?
About 30 pages in I'd decided to bail. The fictionalising of events in Auschwitz really wasn't sitting well with my conscience, and the narrative voice wasn't doing it for me either. It felt like something had perhaps been
So I put it to one side, but then my husband and I had a conversation about it. This is a man who won't watch the Titanic movie as he feels disgusted about Hollywood turning a terrible tragedy into entertainment, and who refused to go to Auschwitz when he was in Poland as he didn't want to feel like he was contributing to it being a tourist attraction. I expected for sure that he'd agree that writing a novel about a librarian in Auschwitz was a poor taste way of getting sales, but he surprised me by suggesting that there may be value in reading it given the author's engagement with Dita Kraus, the 'librarian' of Auschwitz. At the back of the book I found that Iturbe had engaged significantly with her, even visiting the Czech ghetto with her where her family were initially moved to, so I decide to pick it up again, and a few more chapters in the narrative style stopped jarring with me and I really got into it.
Having read Eli Wiesel's Night, Iturbe doesn't capture the horror of Auschwitz with the same sharpness of a survivor's own account, but I tried to keep the perspective that his objective wasn't necessarily to be that authority. Rather, he wanted to develop out the story of Kraus' teenage role in Auschwitz as librarian for 8 books as the narrative device for telling the story of the family camp. This was, at the time, a new and suspicious step by the Nazis, allowing families to stay together, with the prisoners informed that after 6 months each intake would receive special treatment. A school for children was allowed to take place every day, a significant event beyond its educational merit as its structure and focus resulted in no children dying whilst attending the school, which statistically was unheard of in Auschwitz hitherto. Needless to say the family camp was simply a ruse to distract any potential inspections from The Red Cross, and you can guess what the special treatment at the end of the 6 months was for so many innocent souls.
The trouble with fictional accounts of something like Auschwitz is that as you become absorbed you can lose the perspective of it being based on real lives. As Iturbe develops the plot of this book and dramatic tension is built up at various points, at times I did feel uncomfortable that the Auschwitz horrors were giving me page-turning moments.
So, in all, I own up - I enjoyed it and zipped through it in 2 days. Should I have enjoyed it? Should it have been page-turning fodder? I still feel that there's an author's selfishness at play in wanting to use Auschwitz as a plot device, but on the other side of the coin he writes of the bravery of a number of people whose stories would probably otherwise be lost in history forever.
4 stars for being a good read. I'm still searching my conscience a little, though.
About 30 pages in I'd decided to bail. The fictionalising of events in Auschwitz really wasn't sitting well with my conscience, and the narrative voice wasn't doing it for me either. It felt like something had perhaps been
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lost in the translation from Spanish to English; there was a stiltedness to it. At over 400 pages long it's not a short book either, and I wasn't sure I could go the distance given the subject matter.So I put it to one side, but then my husband and I had a conversation about it. This is a man who won't watch the Titanic movie as he feels disgusted about Hollywood turning a terrible tragedy into entertainment, and who refused to go to Auschwitz when he was in Poland as he didn't want to feel like he was contributing to it being a tourist attraction. I expected for sure that he'd agree that writing a novel about a librarian in Auschwitz was a poor taste way of getting sales, but he surprised me by suggesting that there may be value in reading it given the author's engagement with Dita Kraus, the 'librarian' of Auschwitz. At the back of the book I found that Iturbe had engaged significantly with her, even visiting the Czech ghetto with her where her family were initially moved to, so I decide to pick it up again, and a few more chapters in the narrative style stopped jarring with me and I really got into it.
Having read Eli Wiesel's Night, Iturbe doesn't capture the horror of Auschwitz with the same sharpness of a survivor's own account, but I tried to keep the perspective that his objective wasn't necessarily to be that authority. Rather, he wanted to develop out the story of Kraus' teenage role in Auschwitz as librarian for 8 books as the narrative device for telling the story of the family camp. This was, at the time, a new and suspicious step by the Nazis, allowing families to stay together, with the prisoners informed that after 6 months each intake would receive special treatment. A school for children was allowed to take place every day, a significant event beyond its educational merit as its structure and focus resulted in no children dying whilst attending the school, which statistically was unheard of in Auschwitz hitherto. Needless to say the family camp was simply a ruse to distract any potential inspections from The Red Cross, and you can guess what the special treatment at the end of the 6 months was for so many innocent souls.
The trouble with fictional accounts of something like Auschwitz is that as you become absorbed you can lose the perspective of it being based on real lives. As Iturbe develops the plot of this book and dramatic tension is built up at various points, at times I did feel uncomfortable that the Auschwitz horrors were giving me page-turning moments.
So, in all, I own up - I enjoyed it and zipped through it in 2 days. Should I have enjoyed it? Should it have been page-turning fodder? I still feel that there's an author's selfishness at play in wanting to use Auschwitz as a plot device, but on the other side of the coin he writes of the bravery of a number of people whose stories would probably otherwise be lost in history forever.
4 stars for being a good read. I'm still searching my conscience a little, though.
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LibraryThing member lummigirl
Dita is fourteen when she and her parents are arrested and sent to the ghetto Terezin in Prague. Dita is sent to Bergen-Belsen and in January 1944, Auschwitz. Dita becomes the "librarian" or caretaker of 8 books which are in cell block 31 the children's cell block. These books must be hidden from
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the guards and if discovered will result in certain death. The author interviewed the real Dita Poláchová Kraus and traveled with her to Terezin. I would certainly recommend this book to students. Show Less
LibraryThing member JanaRose1
After Dita's family is transferred from the Terezin ghetto to Auschwitz, Dita takes charge of the library for the family bloc. Composed of eight varying books, the library is a symbol of better times, hope, and life itself.
Although Dita's story was fascinating, there was something a bit off about
Although Dita's story was fascinating, there was something a bit off about
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the writing style. The book didn't have the realism that most holocaust stories have. This may be because it is a translation. I think the book is a bit slow moving to capture the attention of most teenagers, but I enjoyed it. Show Less
LibraryThing member surlysal
A fascinating story interweaving fact with fiction. The story was overwhelming and will have you cheering for Dita as the days grow longer and more devastating in Auschwitz. Points did seem scattered or jumbled which I cannot determine if it was the author's writing or from the translation.
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Regardless the book was thought provoking and showed how there is hope and life through libraries. Show Less
LibraryThing member beckyhaase
THE LIBRARIAN OF AUSCHWITZ by Antonio Iturbe, translation by Lilit Thwaites
I wanted to love this book. It is the true story of a 13 year old girl, imprisoned at Auschwitz Concentration Camp, who protects the few books that have been smuggled into the camp. The infamous Doctor Mengle and other
The writing is flat, perhaps a problem with the translation. The characters have no life to them and so the reader is not engaged. Well researched, with a postscript and “what happened to them” appendix that gives the reader the results of the bravery of the resistance workers and prisoners and the cruelty of the Nazis, the book could be a source for history buffs and casual readers. However, as it intended for young adults, the book simply cannot be recommended because of the uninteresting writing.
2 of 5 stars
I wanted to love this book. It is the true story of a 13 year old girl, imprisoned at Auschwitz Concentration Camp, who protects the few books that have been smuggled into the camp. The infamous Doctor Mengle and other
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well-known Nazis and Resistance workers play supporting roles in what should have been a fascinating and terrifying look at man’s inhumanity to man. Instead it is almost boring.The writing is flat, perhaps a problem with the translation. The characters have no life to them and so the reader is not engaged. Well researched, with a postscript and “what happened to them” appendix that gives the reader the results of the bravery of the resistance workers and prisoners and the cruelty of the Nazis, the book could be a source for history buffs and casual readers. However, as it intended for young adults, the book simply cannot be recommended because of the uninteresting writing.
2 of 5 stars
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LibraryThing member KWadyko
What an incredible story! I am entranced by personal stories of survivors of the Holocaust, and this book did not disappoint. The strength these people maintained throughout the most atrocious time in history is astounding...awe inspiring.
Definitely recommended!
#punkrocklibrarian #overdrive
Definitely recommended!
#punkrocklibrarian #overdrive
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#audiobook Show Less
LibraryThing member schatzi
I really wanted to like this book, but it just wasn't for me.
First off, it's a fictionalized memoir. I didn't realize that until after I started reading it (it does say it on the first page, with a letter from the "real" Dita); I probably wouldn't have picked it up if I had known that from the
The book also sounded very young, like it was written for a much younger audience (I'm thinking twelve year olds). Maybe part of it had to do with the fact that it was a translation; I don't know.
Even though I found the subject matter fascinating, the execution left a lot to be desired. I'd probably recommend it to a tween, but no one older than that. I'd have much rather read a proper memoir from the real Dita instead.
First off, it's a fictionalized memoir. I didn't realize that until after I started reading it (it does say it on the first page, with a letter from the "real" Dita); I probably wouldn't have picked it up if I had known that from the
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beginning. I really hate fiction-memoir hybrids, because I spend most of the book wondering if the part I'm currently reading is real or not real (I guess I feel like Peeta a bit, LOL). The book also sounded very young, like it was written for a much younger audience (I'm thinking twelve year olds). Maybe part of it had to do with the fact that it was a translation; I don't know.
Even though I found the subject matter fascinating, the execution left a lot to be desired. I'd probably recommend it to a tween, but no one older than that. I'd have much rather read a proper memoir from the real Dita instead.
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LibraryThing member KS_Library
This is a book that will stay me with for awhile! The Librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturbe and translated by LIlit Thwaites is based on the true story of Dita Adler during 7 years of incarceration in various concentration camps during WW2. While at Auschwitz, young Dita is placed in charge of
While the story revolves around Dita, her family and friends, we also meet some famous Nazis and Resistance fighters. I especially like the final epilogue, postscript, and what happened to.... at the end of the book. Well researched.
A very realistic story that leaves you wondering how anyone could have survived such cruel treatment and what kind of person(s) could perform such heartless acts. I stand in amazement at the power of hope exemplified by the prisoners!
While this book is a high school level read, I would steer it toward mature young adults. There were sections that shook me as I read them. What horrors! What courage!
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the camp's only books - 8 of them - to be used by the children and teachers in Block 31 for school. She is later sent to Bergen-Belsen. Finally liberation!While the story revolves around Dita, her family and friends, we also meet some famous Nazis and Resistance fighters. I especially like the final epilogue, postscript, and what happened to.... at the end of the book. Well researched.
A very realistic story that leaves you wondering how anyone could have survived such cruel treatment and what kind of person(s) could perform such heartless acts. I stand in amazement at the power of hope exemplified by the prisoners!
While this book is a high school level read, I would steer it toward mature young adults. There were sections that shook me as I read them. What horrors! What courage!
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LibraryThing member acargile
This novel is historical fiction and will appeal to students curious about life in a concentration camp. There are people who still don’t believe what happened in the camps, even Jews who believe life couldn’t have been so difficult. This author interviewed the real person who was the librarian
Dita grew up in Prague and spent her tweens and teens living under the Nazis and trying to survive. They are first moved to the ghetto, then to Terezin, Auschwitz, and finally Bergen-Belsen, where Anne Frank died. Dita always enjoyed reading and helped distribute books in Terezin. In Auschwitz, the commander of the camp had a section set aside for families. They secretly held school all day with Nazis believing they were merely playing games and doing German activities. Some sneakier people had brought books in and the leader of the school, Freddy, kept them hidden, never discovered by the Nazis. Dita’s job was to make sure the books circulated amongst the teachers.
Dita’s job as librarian is truly a minor part of the book. The book is about some of the more notable prisoners who made a difference. There is a section at the end of the novel talking about these people and what happened in real life. The book isn’t an adventure story; it’s day-to-day life in a concentration camp, which is gritty, boring, hungry, and full of fear and survival as well as hope. One character states, “We look at the Nazis...and we think they are powerful, invincible even…. There is nothing inside those shiny uniforms…. We want to shine on the inside. That’s what will give us victory in the end. Our strength isn’t in uniforms--it’s in faith, pride, and determination.”
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at Auschwitz. Although listed as fiction, all is based on facts and interviews.Dita grew up in Prague and spent her tweens and teens living under the Nazis and trying to survive. They are first moved to the ghetto, then to Terezin, Auschwitz, and finally Bergen-Belsen, where Anne Frank died. Dita always enjoyed reading and helped distribute books in Terezin. In Auschwitz, the commander of the camp had a section set aside for families. They secretly held school all day with Nazis believing they were merely playing games and doing German activities. Some sneakier people had brought books in and the leader of the school, Freddy, kept them hidden, never discovered by the Nazis. Dita’s job was to make sure the books circulated amongst the teachers.
Dita’s job as librarian is truly a minor part of the book. The book is about some of the more notable prisoners who made a difference. There is a section at the end of the novel talking about these people and what happened in real life. The book isn’t an adventure story; it’s day-to-day life in a concentration camp, which is gritty, boring, hungry, and full of fear and survival as well as hope. One character states, “We look at the Nazis...and we think they are powerful, invincible even…. There is nothing inside those shiny uniforms…. We want to shine on the inside. That’s what will give us victory in the end. Our strength isn’t in uniforms--it’s in faith, pride, and determination.”
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LibraryThing member amyghilton
I really wanted to like this book more as this is my favorite historical fiction genre. I was very generous with three stars. There are some inspiring quotes, but the story was very slow. I could recommend many other similar books that are much better such as Night, The Devil's Arithmetic, or The
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Book Thief. Show Less
LibraryThing member hadden
I am interested in the Holocaust and how the Nazis used intellectual starvation to oppress people by killing their culture and restricting their education. This book covers that topic as it is an account of a young woman in concentration camps who was responsible for hiding the only books in the
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camp. Based on a true story, the account bogs down in daily grinds of hunger, cold and misery. Many of the characters are based on people who lived through this horror, and a nice addition to the end of the book tells what happened to most of them. Some of the characters, like the Nazi scientist, Dr. Josef Mengele, are truly frightening. A good story, and the characters will remain with me, but the storytelling craft leaves much to be desired. Perhaps this is because the book is in translation, but the book plods along in many places where it should tear along with character development, action and suspense. Good for high school students and libraries, Holocaust collections, and most libraries, since it makes a girl librarian the central character. Show Less
LibraryThing member Salsabrarian
Inspired by the true story of Dita Kraus, a prisoner of Auschwitz. Dita was a librarian of sorts, keeping safe a small collection of eight books in the school. Books were forbidden by the Nazis and so Dita took her role seriously, keeping them carefully hidden and making repairs as needed. Beyond
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that, the book is searing in its depiction of life in the concentration camps: the rampant disease, the Nazis' savage treatment of the Jews, starvation, abuse, loss of hope, the ovens.. Through it all, Dita perseveres the best she can, despite personal losses and constant fear and stress. There are parallel storylines, of guards falling for prisoners, the respected leadership of Fredy Hirsch, flashbacks to the ghetto and before. Appropriate for older teens. Show Less
LibraryThing member rgruberhighschool
RGG: The content is powerful, but perhaps due to the translation, the narration / point of view is unclear and thus detracts from the ability to connect to the characters. Reading Interest: 14-YA.
LibraryThing member amabilialifestyle
Very rarely will a book shake you into living, show you how your choices - no matter how miniscule - do affect life in the long run. Antonio Iturbe, with the flawless translation from Spanish done by Lilit Thwaite, has managed to interweave numerous real people into his book and create a
The Librarian of Auschwitz is a book about suffering, cruelty, foul human nature, and no doubt death, yes, but it is also one of everlasting hope, sticking together, and conjuring up happy memories to ease the pain of the present. This alone encapsulates the emotional aspect a story based off of this historical era should already have. Because war is never fun or to be dealt with lightly. The insane amount of research that clearly went into the writing of this book is evident, and I applaud Iturbe for showing us - not merely telling us - another perspective into this era.
The story follows fourteen year old Dita Adlerova as she recounts being stripped from her peaceful home and forced to leave her childhood far behind as merely memories. Life in Auschwitz-Birkenau is made bearable thanks to the trust shown by the lively youth leader in the family camp, Fredy Hirsch, and the eight dusty books smuggled into their hands and kept in his office. Dita shows so much commitment to the bundles of paper that Hirsch decides to ask her to become librarian of their family camp and thus begins her daily evasions from becoming the next experiment of the dangerous Dr. Mengel and the connections she is trying to solve after the Auschwitz Resistance causes a tragedy.
Dita's curiosity and shy bravery is a peculiar one amongst the dejected ones of her fellow prisoners. The way she turns to books is extremely dangerous but helps her cope so well with what is going on around her that she even risks her life to read. Iturbe alternates between points of view (a little confusing at first) all from very different backgrounds, and makes them all connect somehow. I found myself laughing alongside Dita and her best friend Margit, boiling in anger at the injustices committed every single day at camp, and crying at friendly lives lost.
Some things I couldn't quite get around were the numerous rhetoricals thrown throughout the book. I was left with unanswered questions in the end. Why did this person really die? Where did she end up? How did Dita cope so well, so quickly, all on her own? All in all, this is the only constructive criticism I have to give.
Light is being shed on one of the ugliest aspects of the war. It is both informative and mind-boggling with writing to match. I would recommend this book to children and adults alike. Although at times too harsh, it shows the reality of millions of people. Not too graphic and not too depressing. This is a must-read for young history enthusiasts and one I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
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masterpiece in storytelling. The Librarian of Auschwitz is a book about suffering, cruelty, foul human nature, and no doubt death, yes, but it is also one of everlasting hope, sticking together, and conjuring up happy memories to ease the pain of the present. This alone encapsulates the emotional aspect a story based off of this historical era should already have. Because war is never fun or to be dealt with lightly. The insane amount of research that clearly went into the writing of this book is evident, and I applaud Iturbe for showing us - not merely telling us - another perspective into this era.
The story follows fourteen year old Dita Adlerova as she recounts being stripped from her peaceful home and forced to leave her childhood far behind as merely memories. Life in Auschwitz-Birkenau is made bearable thanks to the trust shown by the lively youth leader in the family camp, Fredy Hirsch, and the eight dusty books smuggled into their hands and kept in his office. Dita shows so much commitment to the bundles of paper that Hirsch decides to ask her to become librarian of their family camp and thus begins her daily evasions from becoming the next experiment of the dangerous Dr. Mengel and the connections she is trying to solve after the Auschwitz Resistance causes a tragedy.
Dita's curiosity and shy bravery is a peculiar one amongst the dejected ones of her fellow prisoners. The way she turns to books is extremely dangerous but helps her cope so well with what is going on around her that she even risks her life to read. Iturbe alternates between points of view (a little confusing at first) all from very different backgrounds, and makes them all connect somehow. I found myself laughing alongside Dita and her best friend Margit, boiling in anger at the injustices committed every single day at camp, and crying at friendly lives lost.
Some things I couldn't quite get around were the numerous rhetoricals thrown throughout the book. I was left with unanswered questions in the end. Why did this person really die? Where did she end up? How did Dita cope so well, so quickly, all on her own? All in all, this is the only constructive criticism I have to give.
Light is being shed on one of the ugliest aspects of the war. It is both informative and mind-boggling with writing to match. I would recommend this book to children and adults alike. Although at times too harsh, it shows the reality of millions of people. Not too graphic and not too depressing. This is a must-read for young history enthusiasts and one I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
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LibraryThing member lilibrarian
Based on the life of an actual teen imprisoned in Auschwitz and Bergen Belsen, this is the story of an experimental camp where families live for a few months and their children are allowed to go to school. Dita Kraus acts as the school librarian, hiding and maintaining the few books that have made
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it into the concentration camp. Show Less
LibraryThing member witchyrichy
If a story set in the hell of Auschwitz can be triumphant, it is [The Librarian of Auschwitz]. In the midst of the unimaginable, the inmates set up a school, providing some semblance of safety to the children. The librarian--14-year-old Dita--manages the few precious books, those made of paper and
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flesh, and risks her life in doing so. We see Auschwitz through her eyes, her fear of Mengele, her worry for her family and friends, her need to understand her mentor's motive in a moment of crisis. Show Less
LibraryThing member caslater83
This book is quite the story. It fills you with sadness and despair for all these people. The horrors that they experienced at the hands of ruthless Nazis is more treacherous than I can ever describe. I honestly don't know how anyone can be heartless enough or evil enough to willingly participate
From a historical viewpoint, this book touches you on such a deep level. I never want this kind of human suffering to happen again. No one deserves this.
This book would be a great book club book because of all the characters and their fates. But I honestly would not want to re-read this. It's not a slam to the author because the work is excellent. I just don't have the heart to stomach all this again.
My favorite quote from the book is: "Within their pages, books contain the wisdom of the people who wrote them. Books never lose their memory."
This book is full of the memories of the survivors and history will always keep them to remind us that we must never repeat this.
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in such a massive operation knowing that this was wrong. It's madness. How would you look at the eyes of a child again after such a horror? Or a parent who lost their child(ren) to this? From a historical viewpoint, this book touches you on such a deep level. I never want this kind of human suffering to happen again. No one deserves this.
This book would be a great book club book because of all the characters and their fates. But I honestly would not want to re-read this. It's not a slam to the author because the work is excellent. I just don't have the heart to stomach all this again.
My favorite quote from the book is: "Within their pages, books contain the wisdom of the people who wrote them. Books never lose their memory."
This book is full of the memories of the survivors and history will always keep them to remind us that we must never repeat this.
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LibraryThing member dono421846
A totally engaging fictionalized account of a true story. Worthwhile in its own right, it gets the full five-star treatment because the author relates the story to the real-life people involved in the narrative. I always like to know, when reading or viewing something based on history, how much is
If you liked The Book Thief, you'll almost certainly like this one as well. They both draw on the same themes of the power of books in the most oppressive and dehumanizing of environments.
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true, and now much imagined. Iturbe is a rare author who answers that question. I've randomly checked the Internet for the nonfiction account of the persons involved, and the author conveys with good accuracy what really happened. That it begins with an endorsement from the primary actor in the events makes it all the more impressive.If you liked The Book Thief, you'll almost certainly like this one as well. They both draw on the same themes of the power of books in the most oppressive and dehumanizing of environments.
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LibraryThing member Beth.Clarke
A 14-yr-old getting books into children's and teacher's hands in Auschwitz. It's hard to believe, but it's based on a true story. A wonderful storyline that many will enjoy!
LibraryThing member runner56
There appears to be a plethora of books recently dealing with atrocities committed during the 2ndww. The Librarian of Auschwitz is a fine example and shows how in the midst of living amongst the wretchedness and unbelievable cruelty of Auschwitz ordinary everyday life can just continue. It says
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something for the human spirit that when all around you are dying the simple pleasure of reading a banned book or discussing them can somehow bind people together and make day to day living in such squalor seem bearable. The story of Dita Kraus is a blend of mixing the facts around a well presented novel and makes for inspirational reading. Bringing order and resilience is really the only way to survive and the simple task of lending and discussing creates a kind of normality when faced with evil from such monstrous individuals as Joseph Mengele and Rudolf Hoess commandant of Auschwitz. A difficult book to read but essential if we are ever to understand how the evil intent of men must not be allowed to prevail. Show Less
LibraryThing member wrightja2000
DNF Like another reviewer said, I think it would have read better as nonfiction. The writing was choppy and dialogues between characters were more like opportunities for info-dumping. Also, for anyone deciding whether or not to read it, be aware that it is graphic in that it contains a lot of
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details of the horrors that went on. Since I started reading it, thinking it was a young YA book or middle grade book, I was not prepared. (My public library does a poor job of categorizing books...) I did use what I read of the book as a jumping off point to research some of the people and topics on my own. Show Less
LibraryThing member GRgenius
This isn't one of those titles that when someone asks "how is it" you want to answer "great" because it has roots in reality, and the topics/history covered is many shades less than something that should rank as incredible, or amazing, or anything with a positive connotation, and yet...I couldn't
Once upon a time, the word wasn't as accepting, understanding, or inclusive as it should be...wait, okay so that's pretty much ANY time, but for the sake of this review, let's go with it, shall we? Once upon that time, people were persecuted for their heritage, for their beliefs, for their features, for the blood that ran through their veins...pretty much for everything that made them THEM and not "them". That time we're once upon-ing was filled with brutality you can't imagine, bloodshed like you'd never want to see, and lies held up as truths until the hidden cracks in their veneer finally wore through and the world could see them as they were. The thing is...this isn't a story so much about ALL THAT though it most definitely is there, but about all the things that went into making daily life livable to some degree.
It's a story about the hardships and terrors, but also about the friendships however tenuous, the relationships however distant, the hopes and dreams for the future....whether they would be there themselves to actually see it come to pass. It's about how one can survive something so atrocious, and still come out on the other side a different version of ones self, but still ones self. It's about the power of the written word to transport us from the most dire of straights to something more beautiful beyond. I admit, I was captivated by the work, and while yes, there is fiction with the facts, it was instilled just so, that it allows readers to fully immerse themselves in the time. This was not a title received for review, but a book I purchased for my personal library that I am slowly rebuilding after Hurricane Michael's destruction...and I doubt I could have chosen a better title to dive into at the time.
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completely shy away from the use of that particular word "great" when conveying my thoughts in brief.Once upon a time, the word wasn't as accepting, understanding, or inclusive as it should be...wait, okay so that's pretty much ANY time, but for the sake of this review, let's go with it, shall we? Once upon that time, people were persecuted for their heritage, for their beliefs, for their features, for the blood that ran through their veins...pretty much for everything that made them THEM and not "them". That time we're once upon-ing was filled with brutality you can't imagine, bloodshed like you'd never want to see, and lies held up as truths until the hidden cracks in their veneer finally wore through and the world could see them as they were. The thing is...this isn't a story so much about ALL THAT though it most definitely is there, but about all the things that went into making daily life livable to some degree.
It's a story about the hardships and terrors, but also about the friendships however tenuous, the relationships however distant, the hopes and dreams for the future....whether they would be there themselves to actually see it come to pass. It's about how one can survive something so atrocious, and still come out on the other side a different version of ones self, but still ones self. It's about the power of the written word to transport us from the most dire of straights to something more beautiful beyond. I admit, I was captivated by the work, and while yes, there is fiction with the facts, it was instilled just so, that it allows readers to fully immerse themselves in the time. This was not a title received for review, but a book I purchased for my personal library that I am slowly rebuilding after Hurricane Michael's destruction...and I doubt I could have chosen a better title to dive into at the time.
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LibraryThing member LibraryCin
Dita was 9-years old when the war started, and 14-years old when she and her parents were brought to Auschwitz. At Auschwitz, for a while, there was a children’s school in Block 31. Dita was soon asked to be the school’s “librarian”. Books were prohibited, but somehow there were 8 books
Dita was a real person, and the author interviewed her. Many of the additional people were also real – a couple of additional people/situations the author included were people who escaped (one SS guard, and one Jewish boy who was was helping in the camp, so actually was in a “good” position, as compared to some of the others) to try to get help (the SS guard wanted to help one of the prisoners escape, along with her mother, and the Jewish boy wanted to get word out to the international community as to what was really happening in the concentration camps). I quite enjoyed this one, and it was interesting to read about the Block 31 school, the “library”, and the escapees, none of which I’d heard about before (that I recall).
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that had been smuggled in. It was a dangerous job, as Dita would have to make sure the books were never discovered by the guards.Dita was a real person, and the author interviewed her. Many of the additional people were also real – a couple of additional people/situations the author included were people who escaped (one SS guard, and one Jewish boy who was was helping in the camp, so actually was in a “good” position, as compared to some of the others) to try to get help (the SS guard wanted to help one of the prisoners escape, along with her mother, and the Jewish boy wanted to get word out to the international community as to what was really happening in the concentration camps). I quite enjoyed this one, and it was interesting to read about the Block 31 school, the “library”, and the escapees, none of which I’d heard about before (that I recall).
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LibraryThing member deslivres5
YA Historical Fiction based very closely on real-life events in the Theresienstadt "family camp" in Auschwitz in late 1943-March 1944, focusing on Dita, a 14 Czech Jewish girl who cares for 8 precious books smuggled past the guards. Dita becomes known as The Librarian, as she controls the lending
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of the books out to teachers in the family camp as they try to maintain a routine of secret schooling the children. Life in Auschwitz during this time period, surrounded by the constant threats of illness, murder and persecution by the Nazis, is told through several threads of survival, friendship, love and heroism. Show Less
LibraryThing member thewanderingjew
The Librarian of Auschwitz, Antonio Iturbi, Dita Kraus, authors; Lilit Thwaites, translator; Marisa Calin, Dita Kraus, narrators
In March of 1939, Dita Adler’s life changed. She was only nine years old at the time and a very happy, only child. She lived in Prague, Czechoslovakia, with her parents.
Dita Adler was moved from place to place with her family. First they had to give up their own home and could not take all of their belongings with them. Then they were forced to live with multiple families in small spaces, with no privacy. Then they were sent to labor camps where they were worked to death, starved, experimented upon, and/or murdered systematically. Their world was governed by human “monsters”. Why did the Jews go to the slaughter so meekly, one asks? They thought “it was just the war”, it would soon be over”. They could not comprehend the horror that faced them, nor could most of the other heads of state in the rest of the world, so, little was done to prevent the horror from spreading like wildfire, taking with it million and millions of innocent victims. Hitler’s dream to create the Thousand Year Reich was a nightmare for everyone else involved.
When Dita and her family were sent to Terezin, the model Nazi camp, set up purposely to fool the inspectors, life was different, but manageable. When they were sent to the family camp of Auschwitz, they were not subjected to the same abuse of other arriving Jews, and were allowed to remain together, but they realized that this was not the resettlement promised; no one was fooled any longer. They were poorly dressed, in insufficient housing with little hygiene, and hardly fed. Disease spread in the crowded quarters and in the mornings, the dead were removed. From there they were sent to Bergen Belsen and left to die. There was no hygiene, no bed of any sort and little food. In the face of all the hardship, Jews fought to maintain discipline and decorum. They practiced what good hygiene they could. They created schools in the hope that the children would have a future. They created a library. In their quiet way, they defied Hitler and survived.
This novel is based on Dita’s story, and her experiences are very real and nightmarish. However, the novel is also embellished with the author’s imagination. Still, in fact, it lauds several unsung heroes that fought to maintain dignity, education and normalcy in a place where dignity did not exist, books were forbidden and the word normal no longer had meaning. A student of the Holocaust will recognize many of the names that are mentioned, like Dr. Mengele and Freddy Hirsch whose cause of death in the book is different than the popular belief, but seems to have plausibility after reading the book. Much of the book is really about the day to day effort of Dita Adler, who worked with Hirsch to protect the few precious books of the “library” of sorts, books that the camp prohibited, but the victims salvaged and protected with their lives. The different ways designed to use and hide the forbidden books were ingenious. There are no adequate words, nor will there ever be, to describe the Holocaust and those that supported it. None can do justice to the moment in history when those devils prevailed. There is no way to ever recognize or pay homage to all the innocent souls who suffered under this reign of terror, except to keep their memories alive with books, books that reveal the horror so that we recognize the danger of it recurring and work to prevent it. Books and knowledge are the very keys to humanity’s salvation.
The cover design is pretty, but its youthful appeal may lock out a significant audience. It begs the question, is it a YA novel or an adult novel? It could be both. Regardless, the novel really informs the reader about the family camp at Auschwitz/Birkenow which existed for only 6 months and provided a semblance of normalcy in an unreal and unimaginable world. Why was it destroyed six months after it was created? Was it set up to fool the world as scholars speculate? Was Freddy Hirsch’s death a suicide as ruled? We may never know, but we must also never forget. Jews were chosen, and they need to be proud of that and their many accomplishments. That is what Jews should be remembered for. Hitler and his thugs wanted to murder and/or eliminate as many Jews as they could before the war ended, because in truth, the Nazis were the worst kind of human beings, failures in any other walk of life, they rose through the ranks of the National Socialist Party. Thank G-d, they failed and Jews thrive today.
In March of 1939, Dita Adler’s life changed. She was only nine years old at the time and a very happy, only child. She lived in Prague, Czechoslovakia, with her parents.
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She remembers the square with its famous clock, in a time of peace, before the Germans invaded. The setting seemed ideal. Then in March of 1939, Hitler’s troops entered the city. Different flags flew, street names changed, soldiers appeared in the streets, and race laws were enacted. The normal daily life for the Jews was slowly modified until they lost the ability to move about freely in public spaces, parks, libraries, and schools. They could not use public transportation, could only shop in certain stores at certain times, could not work and could not fraternize with anyone that wasn’t Jewish. Carefully and deviously, they were removed from the public sphere of protection and were essentially erased from memory unless thought of as pariahs. Those who helped them were arrested and their families were placed in grave danger. Thus, few helped them. The slippery slope enveloped the lives of the Jews and what was, at first, just one or two simple rules to follow, somehow morphed slowly into an altered universe with yellow stars on their clothing, their belongings confiscated and mass roundups of all Jews as Hitler proceeded with his plan to annihilate all of them, in the countries he conquered. It was his Final Solution. The propaganda was hateful and so people also became hateful and suddenly hated and feared the Jews.Dita Adler was moved from place to place with her family. First they had to give up their own home and could not take all of their belongings with them. Then they were forced to live with multiple families in small spaces, with no privacy. Then they were sent to labor camps where they were worked to death, starved, experimented upon, and/or murdered systematically. Their world was governed by human “monsters”. Why did the Jews go to the slaughter so meekly, one asks? They thought “it was just the war”, it would soon be over”. They could not comprehend the horror that faced them, nor could most of the other heads of state in the rest of the world, so, little was done to prevent the horror from spreading like wildfire, taking with it million and millions of innocent victims. Hitler’s dream to create the Thousand Year Reich was a nightmare for everyone else involved.
When Dita and her family were sent to Terezin, the model Nazi camp, set up purposely to fool the inspectors, life was different, but manageable. When they were sent to the family camp of Auschwitz, they were not subjected to the same abuse of other arriving Jews, and were allowed to remain together, but they realized that this was not the resettlement promised; no one was fooled any longer. They were poorly dressed, in insufficient housing with little hygiene, and hardly fed. Disease spread in the crowded quarters and in the mornings, the dead were removed. From there they were sent to Bergen Belsen and left to die. There was no hygiene, no bed of any sort and little food. In the face of all the hardship, Jews fought to maintain discipline and decorum. They practiced what good hygiene they could. They created schools in the hope that the children would have a future. They created a library. In their quiet way, they defied Hitler and survived.
This novel is based on Dita’s story, and her experiences are very real and nightmarish. However, the novel is also embellished with the author’s imagination. Still, in fact, it lauds several unsung heroes that fought to maintain dignity, education and normalcy in a place where dignity did not exist, books were forbidden and the word normal no longer had meaning. A student of the Holocaust will recognize many of the names that are mentioned, like Dr. Mengele and Freddy Hirsch whose cause of death in the book is different than the popular belief, but seems to have plausibility after reading the book. Much of the book is really about the day to day effort of Dita Adler, who worked with Hirsch to protect the few precious books of the “library” of sorts, books that the camp prohibited, but the victims salvaged and protected with their lives. The different ways designed to use and hide the forbidden books were ingenious. There are no adequate words, nor will there ever be, to describe the Holocaust and those that supported it. None can do justice to the moment in history when those devils prevailed. There is no way to ever recognize or pay homage to all the innocent souls who suffered under this reign of terror, except to keep their memories alive with books, books that reveal the horror so that we recognize the danger of it recurring and work to prevent it. Books and knowledge are the very keys to humanity’s salvation.
The cover design is pretty, but its youthful appeal may lock out a significant audience. It begs the question, is it a YA novel or an adult novel? It could be both. Regardless, the novel really informs the reader about the family camp at Auschwitz/Birkenow which existed for only 6 months and provided a semblance of normalcy in an unreal and unimaginable world. Why was it destroyed six months after it was created? Was it set up to fool the world as scholars speculate? Was Freddy Hirsch’s death a suicide as ruled? We may never know, but we must also never forget. Jews were chosen, and they need to be proud of that and their many accomplishments. That is what Jews should be remembered for. Hitler and his thugs wanted to murder and/or eliminate as many Jews as they could before the war ended, because in truth, the Nazis were the worst kind of human beings, failures in any other walk of life, they rose through the ranks of the National Socialist Party. Thank G-d, they failed and Jews thrive today.
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ISBN
1627796185 / 9781627796187