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48 pages 1 hour read

Daniel's Story

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1993

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Book Brief

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Carol Matas

Daniel's Story

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1993
Book Details
Pages

144

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Germany • 1940s

Publication Year

1993

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

10-14 years

Lexile Level

720L

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Super Short Summary

Daniel's Story by Carol Matas follows a young Jewish boy named Daniel as he and his family endure the rise of the Nazis, the implementation of the Nuremberg Laws, and life in the Lodz Ghetto and Auschwitz concentration camp during the Holocaust. Daniel captures evidence of the atrocities with his camera and fights alongside the resistance before ultimately finding hope and love amid the devastation. This book includes graphic descriptions of the genocide and numerous traumas during the Holocaust.

Dark

Melancholic

Emotional

Inspirational

Reviews & Readership

4.4

3,955 ratings

77%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Reviews of Carol Matas' Daniel's Story often highlight its poignant and compelling portrayal of a young boy's experience during the Holocaust. Readers commend its emotional depth and historical accuracy, making it suitable for educational purposes. Criticisms occasionally mention a simplified narrative and character development. Despite this, it remains a powerful introduction to Holocaust literature.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Daniel's Story?

Readers who were moved by Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl or Lois Lowry’s Number the Stars will find Carol Matas’ Daniel’s Story compelling. This middle-grade historical fiction appeals to those interested in World War II and the Holocaust, blending emotional depth with historical accuracy.

4.4

3,955 ratings

77%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Character List

Daniel

The main character and narrator, Daniel is a young Jewish boy whose journey the reader follows as he faces the challenges and horrors of Nazi Germany during the Holocaust.

Rosa is Daniel's romantic interest, known for her bright red hair and resilience, becoming an equal and supportive partner to Daniel as they navigate their tragic circumstances.

Erika is Daniel's younger sister, characterized by her quiet demeanor and musical talent with the violin, providing moments of hope through her music.

Daniel and Erika's father, Joseph, is a skilled and resourceful man known for his craftsmanship and ability to help his family survive throughout their trials.

Daniel and Erika's mother, Ruth, works to support her family and is known for her emotional strength and biblical namesake, providing a foundation of stability for Daniel.

Daniel's jovial and favorite uncle, known for his photography, which captures memories of life before the war and influences Daniel's own interest in photography.

Uncle Peter's wife, known for her bravery and motherhood, who makes a significant choice that impacts her fate during the war.

Uncle Peter and Auntie Leah's son, Friedrich is a character who shares a friendship with Daniel and survives the war.

Joseph’s mother who makes a defiant choice, impacting Daniel’s family and serving as a symbol of resistance.

Ruth’s parents, whose fates are intertwined with the deportations faced by Jewish families during the Holocaust.

A character Daniel meets in Auschwitz, Adam is a member of the resistance, providing a contrast to Daniel with his calm demeanor and determination.

A political prisoner in Buchenwald who, like Uncle Peter, engages in photography as a means of resistance and documenting the environment.

A peer from Lodz who struggles through the hardships of the death march, becoming someone that Daniel aids in critical moments.

A character described by Daniel who represents the everyday appearance and demeanor of some Nazis, reflecting on their complexity.

Book Details
Pages

144

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Germany • 1940s

Publication Year

1993

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

10-14 years

Lexile Level

720L

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