The Ballerina of Auschwitz is an autobiography, Edith Eger's personal story. Edith lived in Hungary when WWII began, and at the age of 16, her family was sent to a ghetto, an old brick factory. From there, they are sent to Auschwitz, where somehow, Edith and her sister Magda manage to remain together, although separated from the rest of their family. Edith's personal experiences are harrowing, and she escapes death by the narrowest of margins; early on in her time in Auschwitz, she receives a loaf of bread, which she shares with her bunkmates; a year later, in gratitude, her bunkmates save her life on one of the several forced marches, when she is unable to go on independently.

Two quotes from this volume stand out to me: first, after war broke out but before the German soldiers who invaded began rounding up Jews, Edith notes that "Growing up, I internalized the belief that it was safer to assimilate, to blend in, to never stand out"; later, on a forced march away from Auschwitz, Edith sees a young boy watching the procession, and thinks "I wish for the boy who spits at us to one day see that he doesn't have to hate". These two ideas permeate the book - the idea that anyone who is different, no matter how minor the difference, is at risk of hate, in thoughts, words, and actions, and that hate serves no purpose, solves no problems, and has no benefit.

The author survived, as is evident in the fact that this is an autobiography, and more than that, over time, she thrived. Her example in surviving and then dealing with significant and severe trauma is awe-inspiring. That she was willing, and able, to share her story in such a way, first to write The Choice: Embrace the Possible, and then rewrite it into a volume for young adults, is truly incredible. This volume is recommended for readers high school and older, due to the nature of the author's experiences.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a heartbreaking book with teens as the primary audience. I believe this is the YA version of the adult memoir, The Choice, and after reading this, I would be very interested in reading The Choice. However, I would caution more sensitive readers as Edith describes many of the horrors that she experienced in many explicit ways. Still, I think if they can handle it, it is important for teens (and adults) to know what actually happened during this horrendous time period and to stand up when we see things moving in that direction. This is definitely feeling relevant to me right now (I'm from the US) as we prepare for the 2024 elections.

The style of this book felt almost as if the author were stepping away from what was happening, particularly when things got intense or traumatic, and while it made it easier to bear, it also took me out of the intense emotions. During some of those scenes, I almost felt like I was watching a silent movie about what was going on. I'm wondering if this is because this book is geared towards younger readers, and if the style is different in the original book. I will definitely be checking it out, in any case.

This was a "short read" but I definitely took my time with it, reading only a couple of chapters at a time. I think this would perfect for a high school English or history class. Because of the difficulty of some of the content, I wouldn't recommend it for middle school.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’ve read Dr Eger’s adult offerings, and loved them. She is wonderfully perceptive and I’ve found her words helpful.
This is a YA version of her experience as a young girl in Auschwitz. The vividness of her memory and perspective is breathtaking, as is always the case with survivors of the Holocaust tragedy. The message, as in her adult books, is the power of choosing our mindset in situations where we have no control over anything else. This is a story that will remain important as long as humans exist.

Edith walks through the gates of Auschwitz with her father, mother, and sister, at the age of 16. Her father reassures his family that they will work for a little while, during the war, and then they’ll be free. As Edith approaches the front of the female line, she is asked [gesturing toward her mother] “Is she your mother or your sister?” A question that will haunt her for decades. Edith and Magda lean on each other through the horrors of multiple camps and the death march, their bond and sheer will giving them the strength to return home and be reunited with their other sister. Despite the absolute horrors she witnessed, Edith went on to marry, move to the US, have children, become a psychologist, welcome grandchildren, and return to Auschwitz four decades later to face her demons…miraculously holding onto hope through it all.

I did not realize when I requested this ARC that it was a YA retelling of The Choice: Embrace the Possible. Much like most Holocaust stories, this was absolutely heartbreaking. I had physical reactions to passages taking place in the camps. One major takeaway for me came after the sisters returned home. I don’t know that I realized how much antisemitism still existed in Europe after the war. It certainly makes sense; people can’t de-program/unlearn overnight, but I cannot imagine how difficult that would have been to experience after everything they already endured. I will never understand how this was allowed to happen, let alone how anyone survived it (I couldn’t have).

Now I want to know more about Magda.

Growing up Jewish Hungarian, Edith was a rising ballerina and gymnast during World War II. Upon arrival in Auschwitz, her parents are sent to the gas chambers. She recounts the horrors she experienced during her 1.5 years in different camps, her dancing for the Angel of Death, and her struggle learning to live again after she’s rescued.
The story is well told. Eger’s reflections are eye-opening and beautifully wrought. Her story of suffering and ability to convey what it was like in the concentration camps brings to life the Holocaust for young readers. Her story of survival and recovery helps readers find meaning. Readers who like true stories about World War II, Holocaust, and survival will enjoy reading this book. Recommended for most high school collections. 5 stars, Gr 9 and up

What a heartbreaking yet beautiful read! Prior to reading this book, I was unfamiliar with Eger's story but this YA version does an excellent job of sharing it in a way that is relatable and understandable to younger readers without taking away the power and intensity of her story. While a major focus is on the Holocaust, she covers many other day-to-day experiences of teenagers exploring their identity and dealing with the difficult realities of growing up such as grief, loneliness, and relationships. While some parts are difficult to read, I think it's an excellent narrative that readers of all ages will enjoy. Thanks so much for the ARC!

dith Eger story was first told in The Choice: Embrace the Possible and published in 2017. This new title is a YA version of Edith's amazing journey to Auschwitz and then a death march that left her in a pile of bodies. When the Americans came to liberate the death camps, they saw her hand raised above the tangle. The US soldier gave her a taste of her first M&Ms to help revive her.

How she got to that point and what happened after make for fascinating reading. She found inspiration in stories from other survivors liked Corrie ten Boom. At the center of the narrative is a moment she has relived over and over. She and her older sister Magda stand in a line at Auschwitz with their mother in between them. As they reach the front of the line and stand before Josef Mengele, Edith is asked a question about her mother: Is this your mother or your sister? Her answer will haunt her for decades.

This is an amazing story from a wise and resilient Holocaust survivor. I want to thank Dr. Eger for her sharing her story. Also thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

On the brink of adulthood, Edie, a talented dancer, falls in love. When they are separated by the Nazi’s, Eric tells her “I’ll never forget your eyes.” When she is sent to Auschwitz, his words give her hope and keep her dreaming of the future. Together with her sister Magda, the pair do everything they can to survive Auschwitz, death marches, and the final days of WWII.

This was a well written and engaging book. The epilogue was particularly moving and powerful. The story itself was emotional and heartbreaking. Overall, 5 out of 5 stars!

In this historical nonfiction work, Edith Eva Eger has presented an honest, revealing account of her life in the Holocaust, an account so important to hear today and one that broadens our understanding of the Holocaust and its aftermath.

In her account, Eger details the horrors of the Holocaust, providing detailed reinforcement to other famous accounts, but she also explores her guilt over her mother’s death and her boyfriend’s suicide, believing that if she had acted differently, they might have lived, Her healing is more than a physical process; it requires her to forgive herself and see the evil events as things outside of her control.
While most survivor accounts reflect the joy and relief of freedom, Eger’s combines the joy of liberation with the ongoing suffering from the damage to her body. She provides an account that is brutally honest, hauntingly descriptive, and deeply nuanced with the complexities of her reflection.
This would be an outstanding work to pair with The Diary of. A Young Girl or The Hiding Place or with fictional works to provide a balance of nonfiction.

Wow. What an incredibly powerful book! I had to keep reading all the way through until it was done. Very appropriate for young adults, maintaining the essence of the story while making it more accessible for younger readers.

This is a beautifully intense book. Most of the book does involve Edith being in some kind of concentration camp. It is hard to read in some parts, because it deals with very real tragic events that happened. I think this could best be suited for middle school and up. But students and parents should be made aware that it is very heavy material.
Edith is a really lovely character and has so much strength to have survived what she did. She and her sister really leaned on each other in the camps.

This is a beautiful, but intense book that will resonate with anyone who reads it.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.