The Boy From Block 66: A WW2 Jewish Holocaust Survival True Story (Heroic Children of World War II)

What an amazing story of survival against all odds. Inspiring and moving to the core to imagine what was endured. We must always remember and always believe in faith, love and kindness for all mankind.

An amazing and very much thought provoking read. The ability of humans to keep going and survive unbelievable atrocities. I have been blessed to grow up as I have.

I would like to start by saying this was a very informative read. It was decently written, not juvenile but not sophisticated. It’s what I consider “regular”. This is a narrative/recount. Going into this I very much thought it would be a “story” set up based on the synopsis on the back of the book. The author did however do a good job at writing as if Mr. Kessler were writing/recounting it. The issue I had is with the title and the synopsis. I felt it was incredibly misleading. I choose this book fully expecting it to primarily focus on Buchenwald, Block 66, and the secret resistance. They were there but they were glazed over. It was a small part of the whole when I was expecting it to be the whole. It was disappointing in that regard, nonetheless I would still recommend it. I can’t deny that it was very explanatory and factual in other aspects. It was interesting to see Moshe Kessler and Eli Wiesel cross paths, unknowingly at the time. A line that really dug it’s way into me and caused me to sit back and think was “He had to fight everyday for his inherent right to exist.” There are some pictures of Mr. Kesslers family before and after the war as well as a few of his childhood home littered throughout the book. He wrote to Eli Wiesel after the war and included a picture of that letter as well. Moshe Kessler, holocaust survivor, and Linda Regev, author, worked closely together to document his story. I always think it’s important for the two to work closely together, hand in hand to properly portray, to the best of their abilities, the brutalities that occurred and the impact it had.

Excellent. One of the best books I’ve read about the Holocaust. Details and emotion almost put you in the time and place. Helps to understand why, how and the ultimate of the human spirit.

A very well done and important story. These memories should live forever to educate new generations. Good for you Moshe!

I started this book but had to put it away until I was emotionally ready to read it. I knew the ending and it pulled at my heartstrings. I applaud all who survived this stain on history and commend the courage to tell the story.

Such an incredible story. Loved every page

According to the author this book wasn’t written for me - it’s “primarily for today’s young people.” That’s not me. And like other readers I struggled to keep reading in the beginning of the book. The writing is tedious and often very repetitive (which will turn off young readers). Listing the names of family members - why? Serves no purpose except maybe for Mr Kessler’s family members. At first the story isn’t compelling but for some reason I continued reading thinking “it’s going to get better.” It does! The writing still needs help but the story is compelling. Imagine you’re 13 and you purposely, on the advice of a stranger, separate yourself from your mother and younger brother while at least sensing you’ll likely never see them again. And so the horror begins. For more than a year this child is tortured but survives. The writing doesn’t help but still the reader senses the child’s agony. The pain is unimaginable. But the hope kept me reading. Knowing that the child survives kept me from giving up on reading.

The Boy from Block 66 is an incredibly moving and highly recommended book. The author does a great job of telling the true story of Moshe Kessler's survival. It's an emotional and essential read that sheds light on a truly remarkable and horrifying part of history.

Bought this for my 15 year old (for school English class reading). English is not his mother language. It was well written and he liked it.

I was surprised by how this book was written. I thought it was going to be more of a story with dialogue and development, however, most of the book is written in a way that you feel like the events are being narrated to you by a survivor. It's so well done, but it took me about a week to get through it. I'm quite a fast reader, but in this case, I could only read so much at a time. The subject material is heavy and dark and it forced me to slow down and absorb the impact of it through the eyes of someone who was actually there. I 100% recommend this read!

A truth told simply and with feeling. I read it all in one sitting. It makes me wish to meet Moishe to see this humble person whose humanity shines through. I want to read about Mr Kalina as soon as I can.

Great read and all factual