Sarah's Key

This book takes place in two time periods. One in Paris during WWII, one in Paris 60 years later. This book opened my eyes to an event I never remember learning about let alone hearing about.

Early in the morning of July 16, 1942, the French Police, acting under orders from the German Gestapo, wrenched over thirteen thousand Jewish men, women, and children from their beds. Most of the adults were sent directly to the camp at Drancy, while parents with children went to the Vel' d'Hiv'. (An indoor used for 6 day bicycle races, concerts, boxing matches). Conditions inside were horrendous, it was hot, there were no toilet facilities, and there was little food and no place to sleep. For six days, horrified prisoners endured physical illness, exhaustion, and general indignity while the French Police stood by and watched. After 6 days, they were shipped off to near by camps, such as Drancy, men being separated from women and children. After a while the women were torn from their children, and the adults were sent to Auschwitz, with the children following shortly after.

This book was very sad and very tragic. It reminded me of what happened to Hurricane Katrina survivors went through. They lost their homes, they were rounded up and housed in the big Super Dome with little supplies while looting and other horrible things happened.

I really enjoyed the book, I think it would make an interesting movie.