While it deals with an episode of history that is
both terrifying and confronting, the format and the narrative from a child’s
perspective means it is less so for younger readers, while still delivering
factual information.
Peter Lantos, a Hungarian Jew, was 5 years old when he and his parents were deported to Bergen-Belsen, where his father subsequently died.
Through many adverse and frightening situations, Peter and
his mother survived Belsen, and while they were liberated by the US Army, they
were, by that time, in Magdeburg which became Soviet occupied territory.
So they needed to escape again and found themselves home in Hungary, albeit missing many in their family. Their eventual recovery back to some kind of normality followed, only to be disrupted again by the Soviets moving into Hungary as well. For Peter, moving to Britain to pursue his medical career was his cue to leave behind the new tyranny in his homeland.
What a story, what a history, what tenacity and
resilience this man has shown. And young readers will be just as inspired by
the telling of it as I was. The subdued tones of the graphic illustrations by
Victoria Stebleva create a calming addition to the unfolding of Peter’s
narrative, so that while the readers will be able to absorb and comprehend the
enormity of the situation, the shocking horror of it is somewhat sublimated.
This not only makes for excellent reading an
understanding of the impact of the Holocaust, that lingers today (and is being
repeated around the world) for younger readers but would make for an excellent
read-around-your-topic for secondary history students. You can watch an
interview with the author here.
I give it a 5 Star of David rating.
May peace prevail in all corners of our troubled
world.
Title: The Boy Who Didn’t Want to Die
Author: Peter Lantos
Illustrator: Victoria Stebleva
Publisher: Scholastic Australia Imprint: Scholastic UK
Publication Date: January 2025, $23.95
ISBN: 9781761299643
For Ages: 10+
Type: