Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay

Another bit of historical fiction—based on La Grande Rafle at the Vel’ d’Hiv’. La Grande Rafle was the name given to the main roundup of Jews in Paris on the 16th of July, 1942. The Jews were taken to the stadium (Vel’ d’Hiv’). There were over thirteen thousand men, women and children who were rounded up. Most of the Jews were taken to Auschwitz where they were exterminated.

Sarah’s Key is a well-written novel. It invites the reader into the world of a young Jewess named Sarah. She is taken with her parents to a camp, where she is separated from them. The title is taken from the fact that Sarah carries a key in her pocket. The key is the source of much grief on the part of the family.

This story tries to explain the horror of the Holocaust, the struggle to survive and the harboring of fears and guilt from which the main character never really escapes.

If you wish to read about a topic that has had a bit of glossing over—read this book. It will enlighten you and serves as yet another reminder to “never forget”.

Ladybookbug!