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The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson

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Brief synopsis (no spoilers): Leon Leyson (born Leib Lezjon) was only ten years old when the Nazis invaded Poland and his family was forced to relocate to the Krakow ghetto. With incredible luck, perseverance, and grit, Leyson was able to survive the sadism of the Nazis, including that of the demonic Amon Goeth, commandant of Plaszow, the concentration camp outside Krakow. Ultimately, it was the generosity and cunning of one man, a man named Oskar Schindler, who saved Leon Leyson’s life, and the lives of his mother, his father, and two of his four siblings, by adding their names to his list of workers in his factory—a list that became world renowned: Schindler’s List. (Amazon)

Category: YA Nonfiction/Autobiography

Why I chose this book - Award winner, title caught my attention while browsing the library

My personal opinion: The most surprising thing in this story is the lack of bitterness and hatred from Leon as he describes the awful circumstances he went through. I am amazed at his ability to have let go and forgiven so easily. Despite the amount of violence described, he doesn't dwell on it or give vivid descriptions of the violence. He states what happened, giving an accurate picture and then moves on. I thought it was a wonderful story about bravery, the ties of family, and making it through difficult (to say the least) circumstances. I also think it works great as a young adult novel. It doesn't shy away from stating that bad things happened: People died, families were separated, hardships were born, but as stated above he doesn't dwell on it with bitterness or go over every minute detail.

Warnings:
Violence: A lot. No gory details are given, but he describes scenes such as seeing his father being beaten by Nazis. Hard and dangerous work in the factories. Talk of starvation. Cramped living conditions. Hiding from Nazies and hearing guns shooting those around them. Upon entrance to one of the work camps everyone is told to strip naked and all their hair (head and pubic) is shaved. That is as detailed as the description gets.

Death: Lots. Siblings of the main characters are taken away on trains and never come back. Entire communities are unceremoniously executed. There is brief talk about gas chambers (but there characters don't go there.) Leon talks about thinking that he was going to die, either in Plaszow (work camp) or by a bullet.

Movie rating equivalent: PG-15 at least 

Protagonist description: Leon was 10 years old when Nazis invaded and took over his town, forcing him and his family into years of deplorable living conditions. He went on to live a full life and died in 2013. Later in his life, Leon gave presentations about his experiences when asked by Churches and schools. He never used notes.  

Point of view of story: First person, autobiography/memory

Book length: Quick

Story flow: Very fluid, fairly fast paced 

Grammar and spelling issues: None. City names are in German/Polish,so they seem a bit foreign.

Character connection (no spoilers): Schindler


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