This is one of those stories that will stay with you for a long time. Beautiful seems like the wrong word to use to describe it, given the subject matter, but it was written with such feeling you can't help but "enjoy" it. The story is so poignant, because, although the characters are entirely fictional, the story itself is real, and it's heart wrenching to know that women, men and children went through that less than 75 years ago.
The development of relationships were wonderfully written- they show how good can be found in such dire circumstances. Even the relationships between prisoner and guard show it is a difficult line to draw when considering "good" and "evil".
Even though it is quite clearly written for a younger audience (thank goodness leaving out gruesome details), as Ella herself is a young teen, it is a story that I would happily recommend to a wider, older audience.
As a final note, I love the visual detail of the cover and inside pages - the pops of red and pictures of pins and scissors just add an extra touch - one that I have never seen in another book.
All in all, a wonderful read.
The development of relationships were wonderfully written- they show how good can be found in such dire circumstances. Even the relationships between prisoner and guard show it is a difficult line to draw when considering "good" and "evil".
Even though it is quite clearly written for a younger audience (thank goodness leaving out gruesome details), as Ella herself is a young teen, it is a story that I would happily recommend to a wider, older audience.
As a final note, I love the visual detail of the cover and inside pages - the pops of red and pictures of pins and scissors just add an extra touch - one that I have never seen in another book.
All in all, a wonderful read.