The Boy on the Wooden Box

Reach for this book when your child starts asking difficult questions about the Holocaust, human cruelty, or how one person can possibly make a difference against systemic evil. It serves as a gentle but honest bridge for middle grade readers to understand a dark chapter of history through the eyes of someone their own age. This memoir follows Leon Leyson, one of the youngest survivors on Schindler's List, as his childhood in Poland is upended by the Nazi occupation. While the book depicts the harsh realities of the ghetto and concentration camps, it remains anchored in themes of family loyalty and the unexpected sparks of humanity. It is an essential choice for parents looking to discuss moral courage and the importance of standing up for others, even when the risks are immense.