Summary: Thomas Buergenthal, now a Judge in the International Court of Justice in The Hague, tells his astonishing experiences as a young boy in his memoir A LUCKY CHILD. He arrived at Auschwitz at age 10 after surviving two ghettos and a labor camp. Separated first from his mother and then his father, Buergenthal managed by his wits and some remarkable strokes of luck to survive on his own. Almost two years after his liberation, Buergenthal was miraculously reunited with his mother and in 1951 arrived in the U.S. to start a new life. Now dedicated to helping those subjected to tyranny throughout the world, Buergenthal writes his story with a simple clarity that highlights the stark details of unimaginable hardship.

Written by Thomas Buergenthal
Published in 2007 by Little, Brown and Company

Awards: Newberry Honor

Audience: grades 4-6

Genre: Chapter book

Uses: This book would be a great book to use as a supplement to a history lesson on World War II and the Holocaust itself. It could be used for reading aloud in class or as independent reading. Its historical significance and touching story make it a great read for any age-appropriate reader.