The Tattooist of Auschwitz and Cilka’s Journey

I remember learning about the Holocaust as a young child and not being able to comprehend the atrocities of such a horrible event in history. And now, as an adult, I don’t think my mind is ANY MORE capable of comprehending it. But what draws me into books like this, is the feeling of HOPE…that even under the ABSOLUTE worst of circumstances, the human spirit can survive. “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” is hands down one of my favorite books of this year because of the undying hope and love…even through the horrors of WWII.

The “Tattooist of Auschwitz” by Heather Morris is based on the the true-life experiences of Lale Sokolov, a young Jewish man who ends up in Auschwitz and because of his ability to speak several languages becomes the Tattooer…or the guy who has to tattoo the now recognizable serial numbers onto his fellow prisoners. As hard as it is to read of the horrors that occurred at the hands of the Nazis in concentration camps, it is heartwarming to find a true love story among so much destruction. I fell in love with Lale and Gita (who Lale meets in the camp) and was continually cheering them both on…JUST KEEP FIGHTING…THE AMERICANS ARE COMING SOON…DON’T GIVE UP!!

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I am happy to report that another Heather Morris book was just released at the beginning of October. “Cilka’s Journey“, following Cilka (one character from the original book) in her struggles POST concentration camp. I JUST started reading it, and I cannot believe that the trials for poor Cilka do not end with the liberation of Auschwitz…a part of history that I did not know before starting this book. I will keep you posted when I finish Cilka’s incredible story.

During my student teaching days, I was asked to create a holocaust unit and read multiple books on the subject. Two of my favorites were “All But My Life” by Gerda Weissmann Klein and “Night” by Elie Wiesel. Each is written by a survivor, one a young girl and the other a young boy at the time of their imprisonment. They are both beautifully written but in VERY different ways. I am also a big fan of “Promise of a New Spring” by Gerda Weissmann Klein. It is an illustrated book describing the Holocaust in a way that children might understand and comparing the destruction to that of a forest fire. It is a beautiful tribute to those who survived and their amazing strength. And of course, I recently reviewed “The Things We Cannot Say” by Kelly Rimmer. You can read all about that one OVER HERE…spoiler alert…I loved it also.

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If you have any book suggestions, leave them in the comments for everyone to see:) I LOVE a good book recommendation to add to my list. I hope you (and I…if I am being totally honest) get a chance to cuddle up with a good book this weekend. Let’s chat soon. Jessica

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