About This Book
Reach for this book when your middle schooler is beginning to grapple with the complexities of moral courage and the discovery that history is rarely black and white. It is an essential choice for a child who is ready to move beyond simple hero narratives and explore what it truly means to be a bystander, an accomplice, or a savior during times of systemic injustice. Set against the backdrop of the Warsaw Ghetto, the story follows Marek, a fourteen-year-old who discovers his own hidden Jewish heritage while helping his stepfather smuggle goods. The narrative explores themes of identity, the weight of family secrets, and the terrifying reality of the Holocaust. While the historical setting is inherently heavy, the book focuses on the internal growth of a boy deciding who he wants to be when the world is at its worst. It is best suited for mature readers aged 11 and up who are prepared for a realistic and unflinching look at wartime Poland.
