I want to thank #Netalley and the publisher for grating my wish to read #TheVanishing by #DavidMichaelSlater.

Set during the Holocaust David Slater brings this book to life in a brutal yet beautiful way. Sophie and her family are used to moving from place to place when things begin to get unsafe. More and more the places they can go to stay safe from the Nazi's is dwindling. One morning as Sophie is going to school she finds her mother sewing stars on all of their clothing, so all of the Jews can be easily identified. While at school a Nazi soldier comes in and collects all of the Jewish children and thus begins the end. Sophie and her best friend Giddy love stories and hide in the library to listen to the Jewish council. While in the library they learn of the Golem which can be created to protect Jews. Amongst all the pandemonium that begins to break out Sophie finds herself promising to be Giddy's Golem to protect him no matter what.
She didn't expect that vow to take on a life of its own. In a moment of brutal desecration Sophie finds that no one can see or hear her. So starts her journey with Giddy protecting him as much as possible while being faced with the horrible brutalities that the Jews had to face.
The book takes you through several ups and down and will take your breath away at points. I had to set the book down more than once to process what I had read. It is beautiful in the way it shows The Jewish people, the love and faith that got them through horrific situations. The ending was absolutely beautiful and very touching.
Please please purchase this book it is on par for me anyhow with The Nightingale.
I am so happy I got to read this and it is easily one of my favorite books of the year!

The Vanishing is an incredible story, at times difficult to read as are all holocaust novels. David Michael Slater has filled his book with love and miracles. I highly recommend it.

Let me start by saying that everyone should read this book. Though amazing this haunting and touching book based during the Holocaust may be hard for some to read. David Slater’s The Vanishing is a book about the suffering and heart-wrenching nature that is the Holocaust, but it is also an incredible story of the friendship of two characters – Sophie and Giddy and lastly – a story of hope and perseverance. Though the friendship is unusual, it is startlingly powerful and moving. The Vanishing touches on the complex nature of cause and effect within the Holocaust. It allows the reader to feel part of the story, especially for this reader who so often asked ‘what if this was done? Or what if that was done?’ Sophie’s righteous anger and desperation to make a change is something we all feel, especially in light of the state of the world today. Giddy’s determination and efforts to live reminds us of all the lives fought for and lost and all the lives fought for and rescued. I highly recommend this book. I know many will shy away because of the difficult subject matter, but challenge all to read it and learn – to not forget the Holocaust and to see how history impacts us today. Read this book now!

Oh wow, I seriously do not know where to start with this book. Except wow.

This book captivated me from the word go with our main character Sophie, from who's point of view the book is told. She is an eleven year old German Jew, who at the start of the book is more concerned about being named top student than she is being pulled from class. This is where her troubles, due to her religious beliefs start. She see's the decline in her family, before a tragedy hits and she suddenly turns invisible. From that moment on she spends her time trying to keep her best friend Giddy safe, and help the Jewish community that is being persecuted. Her journey takes her from the Slums, to a Concentration Camp and beyond, all trying to keep her friend safe with her amazing invisible powers.

The writing of this book captured me straight away, and even though it is coming from a child's perspective (which was quite believable) it was not dumbed down or made ridiculous in any way. The detail of the period was captured flawlessly, as well as the details of the Jewish faith was are transferred over, which gives a nice segway for those who do not know much about the religion. I can see the author has worked hard to try and not be insensitive on such a delicate subject, or be insulting to any who had family who lived through that terrible period of history. I think he has done a very good job in this, and I hope people do not dismiss the book simply on its subject matter without reading it.

This book takes you on a terrible and wonderful journey, where the best and worst in humanity are shown, where consequences to actions are seen, and a little girl grows up alone and yet surrounded by those she wants to help. A beautiful book that made me weep tears of both joy and sorrow, as I could do nothing but cheer Sophie, an Angel, on in her journey.

To save her best friend from the horrors of Nazi Germany, an invisible girl must embark on an utterly unforgettable journey of redemption and revenge. The Vanishing is fierce and loving, devastating and compelling, a breath-taking blend of history, fiction, and magical realism.

The Vanishing begins with a warning that the novel is not suitable for children, and this is certainly true. It's brutal and does not shy away from the realities of life as a Jew in Nazi Germany throughout the Holocaust. Unfortunately, I personally felt Sophie's child-like narrative voice didn't work well with the themes and content of the novel. Perhaps because of Sophie's limited emotional development due to her age, I felt there was not an adequate emotional engagement with the subjects of the narrative. Moreover, as a reader I think I prefer novels dealing with incredibly painful and violent parts of history centred around child characters to keep some distance from the atrocities of the historical events. Although that's my personal preference the reason I didn't enjoy the novel, I think if you are an adult reader who does not feel the same way as me with regards to this aspect of storytelling, you may well not struggle in the same way.

I am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of The Vanishing. These opinions are my own.

Sophie, gains the ability to vanish on the day her parents are brutally murdered by the Nazis. Despite the horrors that she witnesses, she is determined to use her new abilities to protect her best friend from the horrendous actions of the Nazis.

This book was very well written and did not shy away from brutal history. It was well written and appropriate for classroom studies. This book will lead to many important discussions in a classroom setting.

Actual rating is 4.5 stars.

Sophie Siegel is a jewish girl who witnesses firsthand the rise and, eventually, the fall of Nazi Germany. She witnesses the atrocities they carry out on anyone not deemed pure.

When the Nazi come to kill her family, she hides in the closet and effectively becomes invisible. She uses this power to try and help her people. First by smuggling food and supplies into the ghetto, then by hitching a ride on one of the cattle cars that are infamous to the labor camp. Here she continues to try and help by stealing handfuls of fresh food to slip to people, sabotaging the death showers, helping people physically, whatever she can do. And through her and her actions we see some of the crimes committed.

From there we escape to the woods to follow a group of resistance and then to the city and “The bunker.”

What did I think?

Well, it’s an interesting idea to make a girl invisible so she can get into all these different places and follow all these different people. Or did she?

That ending…wow!!!

The Vanishing is a horrifying story that takes the reader on Sophie Seigel's journey of revenge against the Third Reich all the while following her as the protector of her best friend, Giddy.

David Michael Slater is not afraid to take readers on the dark journey of what happened during the Holocaust shedding light on how children lost their innocence, families were ripped apart and lives were destroyed. But amidst all the destruction there is still some hope in this story as it demonstrates the resilience and perseverance that the Jewish people had despite the adversity.

This story will take you on Sophie's journey, rip your heart out and destroy your faith in humanity, but then slowly build it back up again.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this advance copy.

Reviewing books about the Holocaust is always difficult. It feels wrong to say it's a good book. And yet, the story keeps popping into my thoughts and even dreams weeks after finishing it. I enjoy when books linger long after they've been read.

The book is a very unique fusion of historical fiction and fantasy fiction. It felt a bit jarring when Sophie first vanished--I wish the author spent a little bit more time in this scene. However, the reader and Sophie both adjust fairly quickly to her new normal. There are violent scenes, detailed murders, and rape references that make the book more appropriate for teen and young adult readers than middle grade readers.

Overall, the pacing was just right and the voice and style were intriguing. The author's spin on an alternative history was fresh and appreciated. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book before its publication.

The Vanishing by David Michael Slater Pub Date: Sept. 29, 2002
The Vanishing is a historical fiction with a twist that I simply couldn't put down. Magical realism at it's finest, but it isn't for those that can't stomach the true horrors of human hatefulness.
After Sophie witnesses her parents being brutally murdered by Nazis, she becomes an invisible revenging angel fiercely protecting her best friend and others through the horror of the Holocaust. Her heartbreaking story is one of bravery, love, and endurance. Written with complete honesty and holding nothing back, this book may be too descriptive for some; however, I found the rawness to be an in-your-face reminder of what humans are capable of when given power or are pitted against each other for survival.
This book is still haunting me.
#netgalley #thevanishing #DavidMichaelSlater

David Michael Slater’s The Vanishing is a riveting, cross genre story about a young Jewish girl’s lived experience during the horrifying years of WW II. Slater’s masterful use of language, imagery, dialogue and technique quickly pull the reader into the story in a way that is deeply personal and meaningful, while at the same time appropriately difficult. Reading The Vanishing is an astonishingly emersive experience. Once started, it is hard to put this book down!

Fantasy meets historical fiction in <i>The Vanishing</i> - a compelling YA/teens story set amidst the holocaust of WWII. I couldn’t put it down and read it in one sitting. This is definitely one for the bookshelf at school. It’s a far more accurate, powerful, haunting, emotionally engaging and heart-wrenching story of the Holocaust than many young readers will thus far have experienced in, for example, <i>The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas</i>. At times it is intensely shocking in its brutality as it vividly paints a picture of dehumanisation and injustice. Yet, it ultimately sends a message of hope that even during times of unimaginable adversity, courage, love, and perseverance will win out.
My thanks to NetGalley and Library Tales Publishing for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What makes this book so different is that David Slater offers a compelling story and unique perspective that should be included in any Holocaust collection. Courageous in its' substance, the brutal honesty is often difficult to read, but necessary. Kudos to the author for bravely writing often disturbing, but needed descriptions. I would think it an appropriate book for 16+ and all adults and a must read.

Tragic truths are told in this distinctive and riveting story. David Michael Slater’s unique insight into the hard realities of the Holocaust provides enough mystic fiction while still not lessening the realism, thus enabling the reader to become immersed in the story of Sophie Siegel. Relatable and inspiring, Sophie’s character shows strong courage and elicits deep emotions in the reader while viewed through a ghostly lens. I could not put this book down and became completely immersed in this story, though sorrowfully realistic, which still left me with a feeling of completeness and hope. This is a must-read for older middle school students and beyond.

What a heartwrenching and imaginative novel. Even though there is so much sadness, the author keeps you hooked from the very beginning. I've read many Holocaust novels, but this one has struck a chord with me. It is an emotional read, yet it is perfectly understated. If not, I'm not sure I could have handled the sadness. The image of this young girl invisible during such horror makes her a heroine instead of a victim. I loved this book and it will haunt me for a long time.

Let me start by saying that everyone should read this book. I know books based during the Holocaust are always hard to read. David Slater’s The Vanishing is a book about the suffering and heart-wrenching nature that is the Holocaust, but it is also an incredible story of the friendship of two characters – Sophie and Giddy and lastly – a story of hope. Though the friendship is unusual, it is startlingly powerful and moving. The Vanishing touches on the complex nature of cause and effect within the Holocaust. It allows the reader to feel part of the story, especially for this reader who so often asked ‘what if this was done? Or what if that was done?’ Sophie’s righteous anger and desperation to make a change is something we all feel, especially in light of the state of the world today. Giddy’s determination and efforts to live reminds us of all the lives fought for and lost and all the lives fought for and rescued. I highly recommend this book. I know many will shy away because of the difficult subject matter, but challenge all to read it and learn – to not forget the Holocaust and to see how history impacts us today. Read this book now!

Haunting. When it comes to he atrocities of war we find that some of those things are spoken about directly, more of them alluded too, but often a lot of the grisly details are unsaid for the comfort of those who would have to hear it. The Vanishing doesn’t shy away from the very real and often wildly uncomfortable truth of the humiliating and dehumanizing acts victims of war endured. These details illuminate the big picture in a way that few others have. This book was heart wrenching and uncomfortable while toeing the line of being simultaneously beautiful and inspiring. This simply will not be quickly forgotten.

Slater's book is brutal and heart-wrenching. Just when I thought the worst had happened, things got immeasurably worse, but I cared so much about the characters, I was compelled to keep reading. It was ultimately worth it. The violence is graphic, but essential to the story and mid-school students should be able to handle it.. The Vanishing is a stunning book that I couldn't put down. Slater's take on the horrors of war is entirely original and not to be missed.

David Michael Slater has outdone himself again. His latest novel, The Vanishing, is a window into history and the horrors and beauty of the human condition. This novel will leave you heartbroken, astounded, empathetic, and with a renewed faith in the strength of what humans are capable of enduring. This book should be on every reading list in every history class studying World War II. --Liz Coronella

I couldn't put this brilliant book down. It's All the Light You Cannot See meets Inglorious Basterd’s. Or maybe it's the love child of Marquez and Tarantino. Actually, it's something genuinely new, moving effortlessly through genres into something profound--a must read.