Tall Reader brought me this book ... one of the grandsons ... a boy about the same age as the character is in this book at the start shared it with her and she then shared it with me. It is a story of survival, survival at one of the most horrible times in history. Yanek Gruener is a young Jewish boy living in Poland. He was 12 when the Nazi army took over and life changed forever. He went on to survive ten concentration camps Always hungry, often beaten, he tried to do as his uncle taught him, 'keep your head down and work'. At one point he is tattooed, his number is the title of the book. Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz, is a grim and powerful true story. It is based on the lives of Ruth and Jack Gruener, who both survived the concentration camps, and came to America to start new lives. They traveled the country, visiting schools to tell their story, a story that should be remembered. Mind numbing, compelling.

Much like the book above, The Personal Librarian, by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, is based on real people and events. Belle da Costa Greene was hired to manage, sort, and add to, the amazing collection of books and art owned by J.P. Morgan. She became well known for what she did and loved her work. It was always with a bit of a worry though, because she was 'passing' ... that is passing as white (with relatives from Portugal). It made for some uncomfortable reading! (intentional). Be sure to read the author's notes ... I actually started there as they give a good explanation of the times these events take place.

Reading Hermit With Dog