The Librarian of Auschwitz

Based on the experience of real-life Auschwitz prisoner Dita Kraus, this is the incredible story of a girl who risked her life to keep the magic of books alive during the Holocaust.

Fourteen-year-old Dita is one of the many imprisoned by the Nazis at Auschwitz. Taken, along with her mother and father, from the Terezn ghetto in Prague, Dita is adjusting to the constant terror that is life in the camp. When Jewish leader Freddy Hirsch asks Dita to take charge of the eight precious volumes the prisoners have managed to sneak past the guards, she agrees. And so Dita becomes the librarian of Auschwitz.

Out of one of the darkest chapters of human history comes this extraordinary story of courage and hope.

This title has Common Core connections.

Godwin Books

Antonio Iturbelives in Spain, where he is both a novelist and a journalist. In researchingThe Librarian of Auschwitz, he interviewed Dita Kraus, the real-life librarian of Auschwitz.

Lilit Thwaitesis an award-winning literary translator. After thirty years as an academic at La Trobe University in Australia, she retired from teaching and now focuses primarily on her ongoing translation and research projects.

an unforgettable, heartbreaking novel. Publishers Weekly,starred review, onThe Librarian of Auschwitz

Like Markus ZusaksThe Book Thief,its a sophisticated novel with mature themes, delivering an emotionally searing reading experience. An important novel that will stand with other powerful testaments from the Holocaust era. Booklist,starred review, onThe Librarian of Auschwitz

This novel is one that could easily be recommended or taught alongside Elie WieselsNightandThe Diary of Anne Frankand a text that, once read, will never be forgotten. VERDICT A hauntingly authentic Holocaust retelling; a must for YA collections. School Library Journal,starred review, onThe Librarian of Auschwitz

Though no punches are pulled about the unimaginable atrocity of the death camps, a life-affirming history. Kirkus Reviews,starred review, onThe Librarian of Auschwitz

The Librarian of Auschwitz is a heartbreaking and ultimately inspiring work of art. Shelf Awareness,starred review, onThe Librarian of Auschwitz

Iturbes remarkable account uses an immediate present tense to immerse readers in Ditas story as she goes about what constitutes daily life in Auschwitz, all the while risking everything to distribute and hide the librarys books. The Horn Book,starred review, onThe Librarian of Auschwitz