Niya Cephas-Prisoner B-3087

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I can honestly say this is the 2nd book I've really enjoyed reading, first being Absolute Diary. I have read books on the holocaust and know a good bit about the history behind it, but this book was different than the others. The real life struggles of that the young Yanek had to survive through really struck a nerve. I know all about the real life horrific happenings at the time but the way that Alan Gratz put it in perspective of Yanek made it even more intense and heart-wrenching. The vivid details that Gratz gives to the readers add even more intensity to the book as a whole. "We worked all day in the tailor shop doing what we had done in Plaszow, only now there were more SS guards, and we were often beaten for no other reason than because we were Jews. I saw one man struck so hard in the head with a club that he fell off his stool and didn't get back up again."

Although this book is pretty intense the way that Gratz formatted this book is on a level that can relate to adolescents in a great way. They get real life insight into what exactly went on during the holocaust but also at a point of view from a young boy that is around the same age as the readers. As well as being introduce to death basically, throughout the book we see this gradually upbringing of death and how it is inevitable. No matter who you are or where you are it is upon us and no one can escape it. Of course the death that is throughout this book is extremely harsh and cruel, however it was straight up reality for the Jews back then. By students reading this book and getting details on a young boys account during the holocaust it is a very easy way to get a history lesson in while also enjoying the work that they are reading.

As we could tell Yanek faced extreme hardships through this book and came close to death every waking day. Although this was the case and he was basically on his own, besides having his uncle, he persevered on day by day. He remained true to his morals and his fathers teachings in order to survive and not give up on his true self.

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