In this first person narrative, the author recounts the suffering and persecution of her family under the Nazi regime in Poland. Part I deals with the harsh life in the ghetto and deportation. Part II tells of life in the concentration camps. And even Despite the author's poetry, which ironically saved her during her internment, the tone of the narration suddenly turns dead; the reader knows she is in a camp of death.
[This book was chosen because the author's determination, courage and strength to survive the ghetto and the camps are vividly detailed. Yet, at no point does the reader forget that both places of hell were cages; the author imprisoned.]
After struggling for years to keep her family together and alive in the ghetto, Riva now finds herself alone, trapped in the cage of the concentration camp.
"Prisoner Number 55082. Forget your name! Remember your number!"
How can I forget my name, Riva Minska? How will my family find me? How will we find one another when this is over?
I must remember my number. But I must not forget my name. Must not let them wipe out my name. Riva Minska. Number 55082. I whisper my name and number as I march into the barrack. Riva Minska. Number 55082.