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Alexander Altmann A10567

Suzy Zail

4.08 · Rating details · 264 ratings · 34 reviews

“Don’t let her know you’re scared,” Alexander’s father had said to him the first time Alexander had sat on Sari’s back.
Fourteen-year-old Alexander Altmann doesn’t need to look at the number tattooed on his arm. A10567; he knows it by heart. He also knows to survive Auschwitz, he must toughen up. Being soft will get him killed. Alexander will take any chance he’s given – an ...more

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Paperback, 352 pages

Published May 1st 2014 by Black Dog Books

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Mar 29, 2014 Kelly (Diva Booknerd) rated it really liked it

Shelves: walker-books, loveozya, middle-grade, loveozmg

Aussies, win a copy here http://www.divabooknerd.com/2014/05/a...
Alexander Altmann wasn't what I had expected. I assumed from the synopsis that the storyline was about being imprisoned by the Germans and concentrated on the appalling and cruel conditions. But I was pleasantly surprised. Alexander Altmann represents hope even in the darkest of conditions and the fight for life. Alexander's story was nothing short of heartbreaking, at only fourteen, he is taken into the adult male camp and kept in ...more

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May 31, 2014 Rochelle rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Everyone

Shelves: aussie-author, aussie-ya-14, aww-challenge-2014, borrowed

I was reluctant to read this at first, not because it didn’t sound good, but because I wasn’t sure if I could stomach it. It was such a horrible time in history and it breaks my heart when I think about it. But Suzy Zail has handled it perfectly. She has placed a human face on a tragic event and given us an in depth look at an individual’s experience. Alexander Altmann is based off of a real Auschwitz survivor, Fred, which I believe gave it a such a high level of authenticity.

Alexander Altmann i I was reluctant to read this at first, not because it didn’t sound good, but because I wasn’t sure if I could stomach it. It was such a horrible time in history and it breaks my heart when I think about it. But Suzy Zail has handled it perfectly. She has placed a human face on a tragic event and given us an in depth look at an individual’s experience. Alexander Altmann is based off of a real Auschwitz survivor, Fred, which I believe gave it a such a high level of authenticity.

Alexander Altmann is only 14, but has lied about his age to get into the men’s camp. He is worked hard, hardly feed and worried for his family. Alexander grew up on a farm and has a love for horses, so when the chance comes to look after the soldiers horses, he takes it. The horses need him to survive, but he also needs them to survive as well. He is a horse lover and despite his best efforts, he forms a bond with the horses he has to take care of. This story was very much about the horses as it was Alexander, and I enjoyed reading about their uneasy friendship.

Alexander was very guarded and wouldn’t let anyone in because they could be killed at any moment. He worked hard, just trying to survive, not evening daring to dream that there was a future for him beyond Auschwitz walls. He was forced to grow up very fast, but he was strong and resilient.

The brutality was there, it had to be for this to be authentic, and I hated reading it, but I could handle it. There were many heart breaking moments, but there was also hope. If you are as weary of reading such things as I am, I urge you to give this a try, you will be surprised

Just because the protagonist was 14 does not mean this should only be read by teens. I recommend this to everyone. This is a time in history that cannot be forgotten, and those looking to understand it more should read this book. Zail’s writing was flawless, she quickly drew me in and held me captive until the very last page. It was a powerful story of hope and survival. Alexander has sunk into my heart and will stay with me for a long time. ...more

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Dec 01, 2020 Caren rated it really liked it

This poignant, well-written novel about 14-year old Jewish Alexander Antmann, Auschwitz prisoner A10567, is a valuable addition to young adult Holocaust fiction. The author acknowledged that the basis of her story is the testimony of Fred Steiner about his experience after the Nazis occupied Hungary in 1944 and deported the Jews to the concentration camps. The teenager knew that his sister had been gassed on arrival at Auschwitz, but had no information about the fate of his parents or extended f This poignant, well-written novel about 14-year old Jewish Alexander Antmann, Auschwitz prisoner A10567, is a valuable addition to young adult Holocaust fiction. The author acknowledged that the basis of her story is the testimony of Fred Steiner about his experience after the Nazis occupied Hungary in 1944 and deported the Jews to the concentration camps. The teenager knew that his sister had been gassed on arrival at Auschwitz, but had no information about the fate of his parents or extended family. He was utterly alone. Written for readers of Alexander's age, nonetheless I found the story compelling and connected immediately with the main character because of the author's skilful portrayal of his vulnerability and growing resilience. I did wonder how much of the story was "reimagined", but the impact of it as a whole was impressive without being melodramatic.

Because of his experience on his family’s farm, Alexander volunteered for the unit that trained horses for the Commander of the camp. If he failed in breaking in the Commander’s horse, both he and the horse would be summarily shot. What impressed me was the parallel Zail built into her story between the vulnerability and fear of both the animal and the teenaged boy. Alexander had sustained his anger and resentment, his lack of trust and desire for friendship in the camp, until he became connected to the horse. “It had taken a horse to teach him how to be human [again]. A horse as scared and lost as he was.”

The horror of the camps, the visual images of the deaths and Nazi barbarity were not excluded in this novel, but rather handled with sensitivity. The focus of the narrative was sharpened, however, on the humanity that emerged when Alexander opened himself up to feel and to accept friendship when it was offered. When the Commander’s wife asked Alexander’s name, not referring to him by number, the teenager regained an identity he had felt he had lost. I learned that this moment was authentic and one that Fred Steiner had never forgotten.
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Jul 27, 2017 Kia (Ikigai - di libri e altre passioni) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Recensione anche sul BLOG

Proprio così, ogni tanto esco dalla comfort zone dei romanzi rosa per staccare la testa e scelgo qualcosa di più forte, più vero. Più pregno di emozioni che con gli occhi a cuoricino e le lacrime di gioia hanno poco a che vedere. Succede spesso che la scelta ricada su qualcosa di relativo agli stermini che si sono verificati nella nostra storia. Sono dei momenti storici cruciali, di cui c’è sempre qualcosa da scoprire e che mi prendono un sacco. In realtà non so bene da Recensione anche sul BLOG

Proprio così, ogni tanto esco dalla comfort zone dei romanzi rosa per staccare la testa e scelgo qualcosa di più forte, più vero. Più pregno di emozioni che con gli occhi a cuoricino e le lacrime di gioia hanno poco a che vedere. Succede spesso che la scelta ricada su qualcosa di relativo agli stermini che si sono verificati nella nostra storia. Sono dei momenti storici cruciali, di cui c’è sempre qualcosa da scoprire e che mi prendono un sacco. In realtà non so bene da dove derivi questo interesse, ma mi è sempre ‘piaciuto’, se così si può dire, scoprire nuovi aspetti e nuovi racconti di questi periodi bui.

Il bambino di Auschwitz non è una storia completamente vera. L’autrice ha preso una storia reale, che le è stata raccontata da un sopravvissuto, e l’ha rivisitata.
Non credo che in questi casi si possa parlare di bellezza della storia o di ‘simpatia’ dei personaggi. Sono racconti che di bello e ‘simpatico’ non hanno nulla. Il bambino di Auschwitz è una storia che prende, scritta con grande delicatezza, pur mantenendo la durezza della Storia.

La prima cosa a cui penso quando leggo questi libri è l’immensità della forza d’animo. Il suo essere fondamentale, la sua capacità di far sopravvivere una persona quando ha perso tutto, sia materiale che non. Di solito sono storie vere, o comunque rivisitazioni di racconti di vita, di sopravvissuti. Di persone cui è rimasta solo la speranza, e nemmeno troppa.

Alexander è un bambino che ha perso tutto, compresa la fiducia nel mondo e nell’umanità.
Ma gli è rimasta la fiducia nelle promesse della madre, la certezza che, quando tutto finirà, lei sarà ancora lì ad aspettarlo per dargli tutto il suo amore. E su quello fonda la sua vita al campo, in quello trova la forza di andare avanti, di ricordarsi chi è, di sopravvivere e tornare.

Un’altra cosa che emerge prepotente è l’umanità. Quel sentimento, quel modo di essere che in posti come Auschwitz e Birkenau sembra morta, polverizzata nei forni. E invece Alexander scopre che non è davvero così. La riscopre, pur rimanendo diffidente e solitario, nei piccoli gesti, nei tentativi dei prigionieri di socializzare, di aggrapparsi il più possibile alla vita vera, quella senza un numero tatuato su un braccio. Quella da persone e non da animali.

Ed è così che Alexander continua giorno dopo giorno, grazie alla forza d’animo, alle promesse della madre, a Isidor che nonostante il rifiuto di Alex ad essergli amico ci riprova ogni giorno. E grazie agli animali, ai cavalli, per essere precisi. Alex ha infatti la fortuna di entrare nel plotone equestre di Auschwitz. Un gruppo di uomini che si prendono cura ogni giorno dei cavalli degli ufficiali del campo. Conosce comunque la paura, la fame, le condizioni proibitive del campo. Ma una parte di lui riesce, grazie al suo grande amore per i cavalli, a mantenere la serenità che gli permette di arrivare giorno dopo giorno a sera.

È un libro toccante, forse più di altri nel suo genere, vista anche la giovanissima età di Alex che si spaccia sedicenne solo per non finire nelle docce del gas, quelle dove finiscono i bambini considerati inutili dal punto di vista lavorativo.
L’unica cosa che non ho apprezzato appieno è stato il finale. Un po’ affrettato, un po’ troppo ‘sognante’, al punto di non capire quanto ci sia di reale e quanto sia immaginazione del protagonista.

Nonostante questo, un libro che vi consiglio, sia se vi piace il genere, sia se volete uscire dai generi letti di solito e provare con qualcosa di nuovo. ...more

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Oct 07, 2017 Emmeline rated it liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, read-2017

I appreciated the fact that this was based on a true story; and I enjoyed the book itself. However, it didn't blow me away - the description and characters didn't whack me in the face with the horror of Auschwitz. I got a little confused at the end - it just seemed to sort of ... stop?? And not in an artsy, clever way, more in a Quick-I-Have-To-Finish way. Additionally, some things weren't fully resolved and the writing was rather difficult to keep up with at times.

There were some things I appre ...more

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Oct 23, 2015 Catherine Cavanagh rated it liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, teenage-fiction

For an insight into concentration camp life during World War 2, it is a very good read. As I was reading it my memory went back to Solzhenitsyn's 'One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich'. Of course, that's an adult novel and 'Alexander Altmann A10567' is for teenagers and definitely not in the same literary league.
The big question for me is whether this is a book I would give a teenager to read. Adults, as seen in the reviews, love it. I don't know whether teenagers would. I think you could onl ...more

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Sep 15, 2014 Hannah rated it really liked it

*Blubbering mess on the floor*
This isn't a cruel holocaust book where you love every character and they all die, I'm just not very good at handling emotions...
I loved the main character straight from the start because he's REAL! He goes into Auschwitz with a set mind to be completely cut off from his emotions ( if I was him I would do the same thing, but let's face it I would probably be dead in the first 2:00 minutes) but softens up just a smidge when he looks after the commanders horse, I love ...more

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Jan 03, 2021 Beatrice rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

“A10567: è ancora giovanissimo Alexander Altmann, ma non ha bisogno di guardare il numero tatuato sul suo braccio, lo conosce a memoria. Sa anche che per sopravvivere ad Auschwitz, dovrebbe irrobustirsi, ma è difficile in quell’inferno.
Ogni giorno deve assistere a umiliazioni, violenze e soprusi indicibili. Ma Alexander ha imparato subito che per non morire bisogna essere forti e duri soprattutto nel cuore. Quando però gli viene affidato il compito di domare il nuovo cavallo del comandante di Au ...more

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Jul 20, 2017 Maria Longley rated it liked it

Shelves: 2017, children-young-adult, fa

I think this is the book I read... My copy is called "Saving Midnight" with a prominent horse face on the cover. (As a non-horsey person I think I would've been more likely to pick up the other copy as I did nearly put this book back on the shelf.) And yes this is a book about horses. But also so, so much more.

This book sheds light onto one aspect of the Auschwitz experience and the Jews who looked after the horses through the eyes of teenager Alexander who is given the task of looking after a p ...more

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Sep 12, 2019 Julie (Bookish.Intoxication) rated it really liked it

Wow. What an amazing read. Heart wrenching, heart warming and one of a kind. Zail approaches the horrors of the Holocaust in a way that hasn't been done before. With tenderness, truth and compassion. With a boy and his love for horses.

I love that even though this book clearly depicts the brutality suffered, it isn't the soul focus of the book. We see Alexander grow from a scared and angry little boy, to a kind, generous and strong man.

Amazingly well written, this book won't let you go until the ...more

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Feb 16, 2018 Loren Johnson rated it it was amazing

Shelves: holocaust-books-for-young-adults, holocaust-fiction

I’m honestly not in the least bit surprised that I loved this as much as I did. Suzy Zail has done it again! I enjoyed this novel tremendously. Maybe “The Wrong Boy” was a bit better (probably because it’s from a female perspective and I could relate more to a music student than an equestrian) but this book was a marvel. It had me gripped from the get go and was filled with an array of thought provoking topics. I’m so glad I picked it up, proud that a fellow Aussie wrote this!

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Jul 23, 2017 Alexa rated it liked it

It is a great book that can make aware of the horrible things that happened during holocaust, but I wouldn't recommend this for younger readers or readers who have no background knowledge.
It was a touching story that was researched good, but unfortunately the german translations got lost sometimes so words didn't make a lot of sense.

Still a great book that raises awareness and opens eyes, so that such a cruel thing can never happen again! ...more

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Jan 01, 2021 Andra Krumins rated it it was amazing

Excellent.
Calmly written. No bombastic interludes detract from the very real tale.
Every horse-focused kid and young adult should read this. (Ought to be in every library).
A touching story of the relationships we all wish to build with our animals, while a truly great way of opening windows/eyes to that brutal piece of history humanity must never repeat.

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Jul 31, 2020 Dimanthi A. rated it liked it

I luv that it was based on a true story, but if you want a really good holocoast story I recommend Within These Walls ...more

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Aug 15, 2017 Alana Llama rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2017

A tragic yet inspiring story that made me cry! I Absolutely loved the book and I would definitely recommend it.

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Mar 30, 2018 Olivia rated it it was amazing

Great Book, didn’t want it To end!

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Feb 18, 2019 Roarna rated it it was amazing

A very good book especially for horsey people....very moving.

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Nov 06, 2020 Carolyn Scarcella rated it it was amazing

A great horse hero. Amazing story. He survived because of that horse who saved him. I’ve enjoyed this book

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Oct 05, 2014 Kathryn rated it really liked it

With its young protagonist, Alexander Altmann A10567 reminded me a little of John Boyne’s The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, though Alexander, a 14-year-old Jewish inmate of Auschwitz-Birkenau, is older, tougher and much more aware than Bruno, the spoilt eight-year-old son of a Nazi extermination camp commandant, who has a very limited idea of what the ‘farm’ he can glimpse actually is and who its ‘pyjama’-wearing occupants are. And where Boyne’s book is subtitled ‘a fable’, Suzy Zail’s novel was i With its young protagonist, Alexander Altmann A10567 reminded me a little of John Boyne’s The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, though Alexander, a 14-year-old Jewish inmate of Auschwitz-Birkenau, is older, tougher and much more aware than Bruno, the spoilt eight-year-old son of a Nazi extermination camp commandant, who has a very limited idea of what the ‘farm’ he can glimpse actually is and who its ‘pyjama’-wearing occupants are. And where Boyne’s book is subtitled ‘a fable’, Suzy Zail’s novel was inspired by the story of Holocaust survivor Fred Steiner. According to Zail, ‘Some of what happened to the fictional Alexander Altmann happened to Fred.’

Alexander grew up working with horses on his father’s farm in Hungary. Starving in Birkenau, when he sees a chance to improve his lot by joining the camp’s Horse Platoon (affording him slightly better ‘bed’ and rations, and allowing him to avoid the quarry gang and the week-long life expectancy of those assigned to it), he takes it. However, Alexander is not just struggling to survive physically; he is also struggling with the nature of trust, guilt and friendship. He has got this far in Birkenau by trusting no-one, shutting down his emotions and dreaming, cautiously, about seeing his mother again and returning to the farm and his beloved horse, Sari. He carries plenty of guilt for what he sees as his failure to protect his mother and sister after his father was taken away, and he is desperate to remember his name in a place where he is referred to only as a number.

Though an experienced horseman, Alexander’s position in the Horse Platoon is neither assured nor comfortable, with the constant threat of whippings, beatings and worse at the hands of the Nazi top brass he’s now in contact with every day—and his job only came about because his predecessor was shot for ‘allowing’ his horse to eat poison brambles. But working with horses at Auschwitz offers him a chance not just to survive but also to learn a crucial lesson about hope and connection that could save his soul. This is a terrific book, echoing the detail and horror of other narratives of the concentration camps while showing Alexander’s personal growth in a place hardly conducive to hope or beauty. ...more

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Sep 22, 2014 JJ rated it really liked it

Shelves: nz-booklovers-reviews

Fourteen year old Alexander Altmann has lost everything – his home, his horses, his family, his name… It is World War Two, and Alexander is a Jewish inmate at Auschwitz. In order to survive, he puts his hand up for a job in the stables, but when he is asked to break in the commander’s horse – an seemingly impossible task – his life and that of the horse’s are in danger if he doesn’t succeed.

Suzy Zail has crafted a gripping tale of survival in the wost of circumstances, and reveals that kindness ...more

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Jun 29, 2014 Heidi rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 03, 2016 Domenic rated it liked it

I do believe that the book overall was extremely clique and boring. I have read quite a large number of World War II stories whether they be real or not. I found this book in particular to be too similar to many that I read and found it extremely boring, considering some others I've read. There was really nothing different or creative in this book than other war stories. I appreciate the writing and the real life experience the novel is based around. However, I did really think the end was touch ...more

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Feb 18, 2015 Libri & rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Il bambino di Auschwitz, ispirato a una storia vera, si rivela un romanzo emozionante e coinvolgente. Alexander Altmann è ancora un ragazzo quando viene portato al campo di concentramento di Auschwitz, la rappresentazione dell’inferno sulla terra, dove solo i più forti sopravvivono, mentre per i deboli non c’è scampo. A10567, il numero seriale tatuato sul braccio, diventa il suo nuovo nome.

Continua a leggere su:
http://letteraturaecinema.blogspot.it...

...more

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Jul 03, 2015 Linda Weeks rated it really liked it

As I read Alexander Altman A10567, I recalled Suzy Zail’s earlier book the Wrong Boy – and it made sense that this book should follow. It made even more sense, when I read an interview where she spoke of wanting to tell her father’s story of surviving Auschwitz.

More of this review at: http://crewsreviews.edublogs.org/2015... ...more

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Sep 10, 2016 Joan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

My edition was in English entitled Saving Midnight. A young Jewish boy from a farm family who had horses volunteers for the horse platoon in Auschwitz. Page turning horror as other prisoners are starved, beaten or a hot.

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Jun 06, 2014 Sandi Faulconbridge rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult, 2014

Well written. Gritty but not so graphic as to scar those readers wanting to read about the Holocaust but not ready for the 'full story'.
A gripping tale that I didn't want to put down. Liked that it had a (semi) positive outcome. ...more

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May 06, 2015 Jessica rated it really liked it

I enjoyed it, but then it added so much more when upon reaching the end, I learned that it was inspired by a true story, and some of the instances I thought were a bit out of character actually happened.

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Feb 01, 2015 Robyn rated it liked it

I've read a lot of Holacaust fiction now, & I didn't engage with this one as much as others. Nevertheless the desperation of the main character & his fellow prisoners does strike at your heart. Another sad tale. ...more

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Jan 10, 2017 Sarina rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: jugendbuch, 2017

Das erste Buch der Autorin hat mir besser gefallen, vor allem hat es mich viel mehr berührt.

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May 05, 2015 Luu rated it it was ok

Shelves: historical-fiction, young-adult, polhviezdicka-hore

MINIRECENZIA NA BLOGU ...more

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About Suzy Zail

Suzy Zail

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Suzy Zail was born in 1966 in Melbourne, and has worked as a solicitor specialising in litigation. After the birth of her first child, Suzy left the law to concentrate on writing. Suzy has written for magazines, and is the author of award-winning children’s books. Her children’s fiction has been published in Australia, Canada, and the United States.

Suzy, an internationally published author, freela ...more