This autobiographical post-Holocaust story features Romek Wajsman, a Polish teen and comrade of Elie Wiesel, as he spends time in a home for recovery in France. The story stands out among survivor narratives because of its focus on personal relationships with his peers, mentors, and teachers as Romek learns how put his life back together. (Sydney Taylor Notable Young Adult) ( )

Nonfiction content has to be fascinating for a young reader to want to take on the challenge of reading a nonfiction book. Reading retention for nonfiction is much lower than for fiction. It is best if the subject is engrossing. You can't get much more engrossing than a Holocaust story from a Holocaust survivor. Robbie Waisman tells his story of working in a factory as a child with no pay and abusive conditions. He tells it as he saw things as a child and then, in the end, he has a few explanations from an adult point of view. When I read or hear Holocaust survivors, I always think that I have heard it all. Then they have a whole different view and aspect of the horrors that went on in Germany. This book definitely introduced new details to me. My only criticism is the back and forth in time sequencing. The book is listed as a middle school memoir. When writing nonfiction for 11-13 year-olds, keeping things chronological would help with reading retention. ( )