The Boy Who Followed His Father into Auschwitz: A True Story Retold for Young Readers

This powerful, moving middle grade adaptation of the adult international bestselling narrative nonfiction book The Boy Who Followed His Father into Auschwitz shines a light on the true Holocaust survivor story of two brothers who experienced the atrocities of the Holocaust in very different ways.

Fritz Kleinmann was fourteen when the Nazis took over Vienna. Kurt, his little brother, was eight. Under Hitler’s brutal regime, their Austrian-Jewish family of six was cruelly torn apart.

Taken to Buchenwald concentration camp, Fritz and his Papa, Gustav, underwent hard labor and starvation. Meanwhile, Kurt made the difficult voyage, all alone, to America, to escape the war.

When Papa was ordered to the infamous Auschwitz concentration camp, Fritz—desperate not to lose his beloved father—insisted he must go too. Together, they endured countless atrocities to survive.

Jeremy Dronfield authentically and accurately captures this family survival story of bravery, love, hope, and survival with the help of extensive research and primary sources like Gustav’s diary and interviews with family members. Maps, black-and-white photos, a timeline of events, a glossary, and more are included.

How does a family hold on to hope in one of history’s darkest moments?

• A Gripping True Story: Based on the secret diary Gustav Kleinmann kept throughout his imprisonment, this is the unforgettable account of a family torn apart by war.
• An Unbreakable Father-Son Bond: When his father is sent to the infamous Auschwitz death camp, a teenage Fritz makes an unbelievable choice: he insists on going too.
• Two Brothers, Two Different Wars: While Fritz and his father endure the horrors of the concentration camps, young Kurt must make a terrifying journey alone to safety in America.
• WWII History for Young Readers: A powerful introduction to World War II history, this moving adaptation makes a difficult subject accessible with extensive research, photos, maps, and a glossary.

"A family’s experiences in the Holocaust told in heart-stopping, relentless detail. Difficult, gut-wrenching, terrifying, gruesome, and so very important: never again." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

This inspiring and riveting true story tells of an Austrian Jewish family’s father and two sons and how they survived the horrors of the Holocaust. Fritz and Gustav’s bond is undeniable, and their determination to stay alive and together is moving and uplifting. This is a powerful addition to other books from the Holocaust and WWII period. - Booklist (starred review)

“Absolutely necessary read. This essential work shows young readers how the Holocaust came to happen and how two amazing human beings survived its horrors.” - School Library Journal (starred review)