Steve Ross (5) (1931–2020)

This was a heartbreaking but so important story to read. I read it in one sitting and cried several times while reading. Szmulek Rozenthal (Steve Ross) was 8 years old when his mother left him on a farm with a family, hoping to give him a chance at survival. His story only starts there. The book flips between his time in ten different concentration camps to his time post-war in Boston. Despite the way his life started and all he saw, Steve vowed to be a bright light to those he encountered post-war. After immigrating to Boston post-war, he received his degree in psychology and became a social worker. Truly an amazing book to read and one that I won’t move on from for a long time. Highly recommend this book!… (meer)

Just when I was thinking I needed to reduce the number of Holocaust books I read for my own sanity, I saw [From Broken Glass] at my local library. And passed it by. A few days later I saw it again and took it home. Glad I did.

One of the most compelling Holocaust books I've read. It is written and paced well. Also one of the most horrific books I've read because its about a child suffering unfathomable abuse in ten different concentration camps for much too long! What justifies not one but many adults beating and torturing children?

I found I could not read this book quickly. And why I appreciate that each chapter detailing Steve's abuse is followed by a chapter on his remarkable, life-changing work as an adult.

It is incredibly moving and uplifting to know that someone who went through hell as a child could remain motivated to live and care about people at all. Let alone demonstrate how love, concern, fierce determination and education are the only answers to hate. Steve felt that if he survived, helping children is what he wanted to do.

He succeeds and makes many friends who are drawn to support him in establishing the Holocaust memorial he believes will continue to galvanize people to respond decisively to hate-filled actions against anyone. If we don't react decisively we allowing hate to snowball into an unmanageable assault against many.

Excellent must read!… (meer)