Description
The incredible true story of The Boy Who Followed his Father into Auschwitz, written for younger readers.
When everything is taken away from you, love and courage are all you have left.
In 1938, the Nazis come to Vienna. They hate anyone who is different, especially Jewish people.
Fritz and Kurt's family are Jewish, and that puts them in terrible danger.
Fritz, along with his father, is taken to a Nazi prison camp, a terrible place, full of fear. When his father is sent to a certain death, Fritz can't face losing his beloved Papa. He chooses to go with him and fight for survival.
Meanwhile, Kurt must go on a frightening journey, all alone, to seek safety on the far side of the world.
In this extraordinary true story, Fritz and Kurt must face unimaginable hardships, and the two brothers wonder if they will ever return
home . . .
Review
The Kleinmann family were Jewish people living in the beautiful city of Vienna, Austria and their story begins at a time when the start of World War II is imminent. The family consists of Mama, Papa, Edith, Herta, Fritz and Kurt.
They think about leaving Vienna, and Edith leaves for England, but hope for the others is shattered on Kristallnacht in November 1938 when Papa and fifteen-year-old Fritz are arrested and sent to Buchenwald.
The story mostly follows their horrendous journey through various concentration camps including Auschwitz, the awful conditions that they had to endure, and their never ceasing desire to survive and to see their family reunited.
In 1941, eleven-year-old Kurt is shipped off to America alone, after many negotiations on both sides of the Atlantic to help move children out of harm’s way. Some chapters follow his story of resettling in America, an indeed becoming a valued citizen who even served in their armed forces.
For over six years Fritz and his Papa survived brutality, starvation and the ever-present threat of death should they upset their captors in any way. But survive to the end they did.
With themes of horror of war, anti-semitism, cruelty and death, the importance of family, the desire to overcome horrific circumstances and still have the ability to hope for a better future, this is a terrific novel which due to some of the violent content will be best suited to readers aged 14 and above.
Reviewed by Rob
