Sunday, November 24, 2013

Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz

Prisoner B-3087Yanek is living in Poland as the Nazis begin their invasion at the start of World War II. The Jews hope that help will arrive soon, but Yanek's family realizes that they can only remain safe if the Nazis don't find them. This works for awhile, but they're eventually found and sent to prison camps. Yanek ends up alone and understands that he must not care for anyone else if he hopes to survive the camps. The work is hard and many prisoners die from it or are murdered by the guards. It is said that Goeth, one of the prison commandants, won't eat breakfast until he's killed a Jew. Yanek has dreams of escaping, but he is sent to Auschwitz, a legendary death camp. Yanek vows that he will survive and never forget the horrors he has witnessed.

This book recounts the cruelty and fear facing Jews at the hands of the Nazis. The author is able to express the terror, so readers can feel it too. The events are based on true stories which is even scarier. Yanek displays a determination and will to survive that is not seen in many people.

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