The Laskowskis were content living in Metz France 🇫🇷, (very close to the Maginot line). In 1938, brothers Pierre, Claude and Samuel, visited their mom in the hospital to welcome the newest members of their family, twins Georgette and Henriette on the day of their birth. At this same time, the family knew the invasion of France by #Germany 🇩🇪 was inevitable.

While some members of the extended Laskowski family left France for England and America, Mr. Laskowski, Albert (father), chose to remain in France. When war is declared, the Laskowskis are forced to leave Metz. Then the Laskowski parents are arrested, and, Pierre, at 14 yo, (& the eldest of the 5 children), is suddenly in charge of his siblings, the twin girls are barely even toddlers. The children struggle to stay together in spite of the war which is pulling the family apart at its seams.

Author Debra Barnes’ mother’s life story served as her inspiration to write this fictional tale. Growing up, Debra’s mother avoided talking about the war, in fact the subject was taboo. This all changed in 2006, when her mother’s picture (as a young girl during the war), appeared on the cover of a book, written by another survivor. This inspired conversations that ultimately led Debra Barnes to write this fictional novel based on her mother’s story. Now she also helps other survivors write books telling their war stories.

I really enjoyed reading #theyoungsurvivors by @debra_author. I give it #5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Thank you @NetGalley for the digital copy of the book in return for my honest review.

@duck_books #metz #condenorthern #sarry #drancy #louveciennes #poitiers #beaulieusurdordogne #vichy #milice

I was given an ARC of this book for a review but that last few months have been crazy and I finally got to the book a couple of days ago. I thought I would read a few chapters one afternoon but once I got started I stayed up the whole night reading. I Had to know what happened to each child.

The book tells the story of the five Laskowski children and their family in France during World War II. The book is told by the various children as their experiences varied so widely. Separated from their parents and all other adult family members, they are left to survive on their own..They had to be constantly on the move and always watchful. The help and kindness of the many French people who helped them along the way was astounding. The survivors could not have lived but for the help of so many people all over France from organizations to individuals.

I cannot recommend this book enough but give yourself plenty of time because you will not be able to put it down!

Thank you for the reminder from the publisher to check out this book!

This is a fiction story based on the true story of the surviving of Debra Barnes Jewish mother of occupied France during WWII. This is written from the Laskowski children’s perspective as both parents and other close family members were arrested by the Nazi’s early in the war. Pierre, Samuel, and twins Georgette and Henriette.

Amazing read detailing the experiences, and hardships of the children taking care of each other after all adults have been removed and the hard decisions that must be made for the care of each of the children. The struggles and tenacity of finding the survivors of the family and then again making hard decisions to ensure the well-being of each member to ensure the best health and well-being of all.

Thank you Duckworth Books and NetGalley for this book for an honest review.
#Netgalley #DuckworthBooks

I have really been into historical fiction lately and this book was amazing. It is obvious that the author knows a lot about the time period, as the descriptions of the Holocaust were vivid. The choices that the siblings in this story had to make were heartbreaking at times. It was interesting to know that this story is based on the author's mother's experience during the war.

This book was written from the viewpoint of the younger Jewish family members caught up in in WW2 based in France. Unlike others books in this genre it was written in the style where it follows the story while the families were surviving from outside the camps not inside
It was well written and I read it quickly, getting attached to the main characters and absorbed in what they had to deal with to survive. It has loyalty and bravery running through it.
Thanks to #NetGalley for the advance copy

What if everyone you loved was suddenly taken away?

I have been on a light, happy rom-com kick lately, but I just picked up a historical fiction and was reminded why I have always been drawn to them.

The Young Survivors is out today so you can all fall in love too. Once you're in love your heart will be torn out, squoze, and slowly put back together. I have read many WWII novels, but not many are told in the eyes of children. This is the true story of five siblings and their struggles as Jews during WWII. It's heartbreaking in it's rawness.

This is such a beautiful novel. If you like reading about WWII it's one for you. If you like books that sit with you after and make you think, this one is for you. If you want to learn how good you have life, this one is for you. Well done.

Amazing story!
It is not often you read about the children during the Holocaust and what happened to them. This story was so well written. I was so immersed in this story I didn’t want to put it down(; I wanted to know that the children were okay and what would happen to them next.

The Young Survivors by Debra Barnes
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

We follow five Jewish siblings in occupied France and this is a story about family and the inhumane struggles they had to face. I have read a lot of WWII novels but not many that are from the eyes of children. You watch these precious kids face so much while growing up, it broke my heart. I found this unique because even the youngest children have POVs in this story.

If you enjoy reading Historical Fiction set in WWII, please check out this novel by Debra Barnes. Out on July 23rd!

Thank you @netgalley and Duckworth Books for a free e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

#netgalley #bookstagram #bookcommunity #bookrecommendations #arc #theyoungsurvivors #historicalfiction

What if everyone you loved was suddenly taken away? Five siblings struggle to stay together as the tides of war threaten to tear them apart.

When Germany invades and occupies France in the Second World War, the five Laskowski children lose everything: their home, their Jewish community and most devastatingly their parents who are abducted in the night.

There is no safe place left for them to evade the Nazis, but they cling together, never certain when the authorities will come for what is left of them.

Inspired by the poignant, true story of the author’s mother, this moving historical novel conveys the hardship, the uncertainty and the impossible choices the Laskowski children were forced to make to survive the horrors of the Holocaust.

There isn’t much I could put down in words about this book. Written with lyrical prose and such pounding emotion 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗼𝗿𝘀 is a truely heartbreaking story. I read it in one sitting and would recommend to all historical fiction readers.

The Young Survivors by Debra Barnes | review.

Genre: Adult Fiction

Rating: Five Stars.

What if everyone you loved was suddenly taken away? Five siblings struggle to stay together and survive as the tides of war threaten to rip them apart. Set in France, this book tells the story of the Laskowski children and their fight to live after the Nazi’s arrest and deport their parents and extended family.

First off, this story is based off the author’s own mother’s true life story. When I read that in the acknowledgments, it hit me right in the heart! What a gripping and emotional story!

I had never really heard the story of Jewish children being shuffled between homes, orphanages, and schools throughout the war. These kids were constantly at risk and could never really relax. Each chapter of this book is told from a different point of view of one of the children. I really liked that. Plus, it’s packed with historical details.

Thank you to NetGalley and Duckworth Books for an arc of The Young Survivors by Debra Barnes.

This is going to be short because I seem to be lacking words for how much I loved this book. In fact, saying I loved it almost seems wrong because reading this novel was so poignant and such an experience that...I don't have the proper words.

This book is startling, horrifying, and yet the story is told in a charming way. Debra Barnes' prose is lyrical she is truly gifted as a writer. The beauty of the writing, almost like poetry, carries the story along and takes you with it effortlessly.

Bottom Line: This book was amazing. I loved the characters, the story, the narrator and everything it had to tell. This is one novel that I will not soon forget. I took a star off because it leans more towards Young Adult...and there is nothing wrong with that! It isn't marketed as young adult though.

With thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest review.
First time reading this Author and really was blown away,this really us a work of art.
A Harrowing tale of how one family survived the horrific abuse thrown at them and yet found the inner strength to carry on I laughed and cried in equal measures through out this book I have nothing but praise for this beautiful book

It was difficult to get into the style of writing in the very beginning but after that, wow! It was a great book! I can't imagine everything this family went through. 4.5 stars

"The Young Survivors is a tribute to the 76,000 French Jews who lost their lives in the Holocaust" - Author Debra Barns

After reading the acknowledgements, it made it more touching and heartbreaking the similarities Debra incorporated to mirror her moms life as a Holocaust survivor. This read was effortless. I enjoyed the story alternating perspectives of the Laskowski children since not many books capture that viewpoint especially Jewish children. I think I hyped the plot too much so it fell a little short for me. I found the end a bit rushed compared to how the story flowed. There was closure between all the characters but I would have preferred if the events were spaced out or elaborated on more. Other than that, the story itself was memorable and gripping.

Side note: I absolutely loved the prequel short story, 'The Laskowski Brothers' that got me hooked and was a perfect lead into The Young Survivors. You can get a free copy at this link: https://www.duckworthbooks.co.uk/the-young-survivors-signup#:~:text=Get%20your%20free%20copy%20of,straight%20to%20your%20inbox%20here.

Absolutely marvellous!
The Young Survivors is an emotional story of love and loss, hope and survival throughout the Second World War. A memorable story that will no doubt stay with me for some time.

I’m often interested to know what inspires authors in their writing - in this case it was her own mother’s traumatic childhood in German-occupied France and survival of the Holocaust. Combining this with her own research, the author has successfully penned a debut novel that I would highly recommend without any hesitation.

I really loved this book - the characters are wonderfully depicted and the reader easily warms to them, the pace is good and the story flows really well between the different sibling narratives. Definitely a book I didn’t want to put down!

An excellent debut novel from Debra Barnes which beautifully portrays her mother’s story - such a miracle that she survived! I finished this book feeling privileged to have glimpsed an insight into the incredible survival story of the author’s mother.

I am grateful to the publisher, Duckworth Books for an advance digital copy of this book via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

A very emotional book to read. It tells of the struggles of a Jewish family during the second world war. I learnt a lot about the horrors of war and the people who helped .This was a hard book to enjoy as it was sad at times but very well written. I do recommend that you read this book if you want to know more of the awful things they had to endure .

Orphans and War

Not a lot is written about the orphanages full of Jewish children whose parents have been arrested by the Nazi's and sent away. While many Jewish families were rounded up and sent away together, some parents were arrested and children left to fend for themselves. These children often ended up in orphanages set up around the country,

This story is written about a Jewish family that was torn apart by the war. The parents sent to camps and the eldest son still a child was left to care for his brothers and sisters. Pierre not knowing what to do let the siblings go to the orphanage and he went to work on a farm. He later tried to get them out but the orphanage would not let them go. This book is the story of this family, those that survived the war and those that did not, it is also a story of those that cared for them helped them, and those that could not,

Stories of the war are so sad and the horrible things done to the Jewish are beyond words, but the saddest of all is the senseless acts against young children.

This was a good book, I enjoyed reading about this courageous family and how they loved each other. I would recommend it.

Thanks to Debra Barnes, Duckworth Publishing, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of the book for an honest review.

Heartbreaking story of survival told from different angles and experiences of War War II. Family thorn apart. Hopes broken. Lives lived.
Beautifully written tragic, yet heroic story combined into one family journey during second World War.
I would hardly recommended this read to everyone who wants to know how survival can be done.

Thank you to NetGalley and Duckworth Books for the arc of The Young Survivors by Debra Barnes.

Thank you Debra Barnes for writing such a tear jerking, emotional and gripping book which i really enjoyed.

The Young Survivors is the tear-jerking story of which involves 5 siblings in which are all Jewish and where raised in France when Germans took over the country. They are forced in which to flee their apartment in Metz and relocated to the city of Sarry. They ended up living in a house with extended family and were quite happy despite the father having lost his business. Eventually the adults of the family are in which are arrested because they are Jewish and sent them off to concentration camps. This follows the children of the family and what happens with them.

The Young Survivors opens up a section about of the Holocaust narrative that is often overlooked and not spoke about very often which is sad as it is history in which needs to be spoken about and in which is the fate of the Jews in France. It is told through the eyes and POV of three children.

I really loved books about world war 2 and the holocaust so I knew before reading that I would love this in which I did!

Definitely recommend
5 Stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is a really well written memorable read about a Jewish family being torn apart by World War 2. Heartbreaking and horrific. It is a moving emotional story which will stay in my mind for a long time.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.