Erika's Story

A parent would reach for Erika's Story when they feel their child is ready for a foundational yet gentle introduction to the Holocaust. It is particularly suited for children asking big questions about history, injustice, or the complexities of family and adoption. The book avoids graphic depictions of violence, instead focusing on the profound, life-altering choice of a mother to save her infant by throwing her from a train moving toward a concentration camp. Through sparse, rhythmic prose and muted illustrations, it explores themes of sacrifice, the kindness of strangers, and the search for identity. It is an honest but safe space for middle-grade readers to begin grappling with historical trauma while seeing a path toward survival and renewal. Parents will appreciate how it emphasizes the light of a new family created from the darkness of loss.