Holocaust Stories in Fiction and Nonfiction

by Susan Roberts

I read a lot of historical fiction and am always interested in WWII-era fiction.  Even though the market is very saturated with books from this time period, authors continue to find heroes who have been forgotten or write about fictional brave people who made a difference in their worlds during this time.  Today I have reviews of three new books that look at this time period from new directions - one is historical fiction closely based on the true story of one man and his goal to help children, one is fiction about a 16 year old girl that was inspired by a true story and the third is a nonfiction book about a family that hid in a small building for 2 years while being helped by their brave neighbors. 

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The Teacher of Auschwitz by Wendy Holden

June 2025; Harper Perennial; 978-0063398252
audio, ebook, print (368 pages); historical fiction

A novel inspired by the powerful true story of a man who risked everything to protect children in Auschwitz.

Fredy built a wall against suffering in their hearts . . .

This is another important book about the horrific events that many Jewish people went through during the Holocaust.  It is based on the life of Fredy Hirsch, who risked his life every day at Auschwitz trying to protect the children from danger and trying to engage their minds to keep them from thinking about what will probably await each of them when their time is up.

The book is divided into two parts.  In the first part, we learn about Fredy's family and about his years growing up.  He was a poor student and trying to find his way when he decided that he wanted to be an athlete and worked hard to keep himself in good shape and to teach boys how to be healthy.  He was also a bit flamboyant, and many who knew him assumed that he was gay (which he was).   When he was sent to the ghetto in Thereseinstadt, he volunteered to be part of the governing council and help people when he could.  He started working with the children in the ghetto, helping them to get through each day in brutal conditions.  When the ghetto was dissolved and its members sent to Auschwitz, Fredy again tried to be helpful to everyone and to help them adapt to the conditions in the camp.  He asked the camp leaders if he could have an unused building to use as a school for many of the children, and somehow he also managed to get extra rations for his students.  Dr Mengele took an interest in Fredy and the school, but I've read so much about him, you have to 

wonder if he had ulterior motives.  But eventually, time ran out for Fredy, and he and many of his students did not survive.   But some of the students that he helped did survive the camp.  It was so touching that there is a chapter at the end of the book made up of testimonials from some of the people he helped at the camp.  He made a difference in many lives, and it was heartwarming to read what they said about it.  For me the most touching testimonial was one of the shortest: "He built a wall in our hearts against suffering."

This book was a well-researched look at one of the forgotten heroes who tried to help other people during a terrible time in world history.  Be sure to read the author's cast of characters, where she tells a bit about all of the people in the book who were real people and what happened to each of them during or after the war.

Buy The Teacher of Auschwitz at Amazon

The Ruins in Which We Bleed by Steve N. Lee

June 2025; Blue Zoo; 978-1914292361
ebook, print (304 pages); historical fiction

A story of courage and a fight for survival like none you have ever read. Guaranteed!

Inspired by a previously untold true story.

Helena was thirteen years old when the German army invaded Warsaw.  She lived with her parents and brothers, and at first they all felt that they would be safe despite being Jewish.  As life began to change around them, they realized that there was no safety for them, and they ended up in the Warsaw ghetto.    As life in the ghetto began to deteriorate,  Helena is faced with terrors that no young girl should have to face, and things just keep getting worse for her.  Parts of this book were so difficult to read - imagining what she went through was almost impossible, but she continued to look for the goodness in life.  I really can't tell you much about her bravery or what happened to her without the possibility of a spoiler.  What I will say is that she faced horrific events, but knew that she had to persevere due to her love for her family.

This unbelievable true story is a deep look at the courage and resilience that Helena showed throughout her quest to stay hidden from the Gestapo.  It shows that no matter what is going on in the world, one person CAN make a difference.  Helena is a tenacious young lady whom I won't soon forget.

NOTE:  This is the third book in the World War II Historical series.  It can be read as a standalone with no confusion.  The other two books in the series and my reviews can be seen here

1.  To Dream of Shadows

2.  A Song of Silence

Buy The Ruins in Which We Bleed at Amazon

The Courtyard by Benjamin Parket & Alexa Morris

June 2025; Amsterdam Publishers; 978-9493418011
ebook, print (248 pages); memoir

A mesmerizing, nightmarish story that has, for once, a happy ending.

In the heart of Nazi-occupied Paris, one Jewish family is protected by their working-class community.

The novel starts in 1937 when a Polish immigrant family lives and works in a working-class courtyard in Paris.  Even though they are the only Jewish family who live and work there, they are accepted by the rest of the families. Bernard is the youngest of the three brothers in the family and isn't ready to start school, so for him, the courtyard is his home and his playground.  Life continues on until 1942 when one of their neighbors. who works for the police,  tells them that their family is on the official list to be arrested by the Nazis that day.  Some of the residents help find them an empty warehouse to hide in and help them bring some furniture to make them comfortable.  Their neighbors continue to protect them for the two years that they stay in the warehouse.  Even with their protection, there is always danger, and they need to stay vigilant.  Bernard, at 9 years old, is sent out to get food for the family, which is always dangerous.  This memoir by one of the boys in the family is a true testament to people who are willing to risk their own lives to help others.  It's a look at how even in the darkest times, a small group of people can make a difference.

Buy The Courtyard at Amazon

Susan Roberts grew up in Michigan but loves the laid-back life at her home in the Piedmont area of North Carolina where she is three hours from the beach to the east and the mountains in the west.  She reads almost anything but her favorite genres are Southern Fiction and Historical Fiction.   

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