Daniel’s Story by Daniel Carpenter-Gold

From School Library Journal
Daniel, 14 in 1941, describes first his family's sense of belonging in Germany and their refusal to flee their country despite the initial instances of anti-Semitism they experience. By the time the family is ready to acknowledge the seriousness of their situation, no country is willing to accept them. They are first deported from Frankfurt to the Lodz ghetto in Poland; from Lodz they are sent to Auschwitz, and finally, Daniel and his father are marched to Buchenwald. They are the only two members of the family who survive, and are liberated by the Americans. Daniel tells his story through the "pictures" he has; at first real photographs, and then the images in his head. He is a courageous, sensitive, heroic individual who personalizes the events of the Holocaust. His voice rings true; he is portrayed as an extraordinary youth, but these were times that demanded an exceptional response to increase the likelihood of survival.

I enjoyed the audio book version of Daniel’s Story by Daniel Carpenter-Gold told by Carol Matas. The father in the book was a character that stands out the most to me. Daniel is 14, brave, strong, intelligent, but can be impulsive. You can see his demeanor change from a typical teenage boy to a bitter teenager with a want for revenge. His father in contrast is never impulsive and always forgiving. As others are selling belongings such as boots to gain food, his father is rationing, a move that will save the family later in the story. When others have nothing he is able to get a radio so he knows what to expect and can plan for the next strategic move. Even after the liberation, he is able to keep his son from gaining revenge and killing a Nazi. It is through the father's quiet strength and Daniel's words the reader sees how much pain the family has endured.