Michael Bornstein

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 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 show more 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. show less

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 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 show more 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 show less

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.

Please visit my blog www.readrantrockandroll.com for reviews on children's books like this regarding the Holocaust and WWII

Survivors Club : The True Story of a Very Young Prisoner of Auschwitz by Michael Bornstein is a memoir written for middle schoolers, but its a story for all.

I personally had a lot of emotions reading it, but the story was so moving, and I couldn't put it down. It's told in first person and I can't imagine what life was like for him and what his family had to endure at show more that time.

I consider books on the Holocaust extremely integral to children's curriculums. These books need to be brought to the attention of kids, and they need to read them, so that these stories won't be forgotten! I think this would be a great book for schools, libraries, and even for a home library. Great for adults too.

5*****

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book show less