Ursula's Prism by Anna Block

 

You will feel the power of this book and the essence of the author's message even after reading a few pages.  Her essence of life is compassion.  The book is a true story told to Anna by her mother, Ursula.  Ursula wanted her daughter to know what happened at that time in her life.  Everyone NEEDS to know what "really" happened.  By reading this beautifully written, heartfelt, and heart wrenching book, you will find out some of it.

You will follow the Schwartz family through the horrors of being taken from their home by the Nazi's and the humiliation of the concentration camps. We think we know the atrocities that occurred in the camps and how the Jewish people suffered and tried to escape...most being unsuccessful...but do we "really" know?  The Schwartz family's children along with four other children did escape and lived in the woods using their wits, courage, and a necklace to keep them continuing on.

The necklace that Ursula had put in her pocket when the Germans took them from their home gave the children hope and brought back wonderful memories of her mother and her prism principles:   Maybe today will be our smooth, good day or maybe tomorrow will be our good day.

When I met Anna Block, she signed my book with a very poignant comment:  "Live your life with compassion."  My eyes welled up with tears after I read it, and I said:  "I actually do live my life with compassion."  Anna was wearing the necklace that day, and I am sure she wears it every day in honor of her mother's strength and compassion. Compassion, which was not very prevalent during WWII, is the essence of this book and is or should be the essence of our lives.

You will need to put the book down at times because you will cry for all those who suffered.  The book was written from Anna's mother's point of view as a child, but from a child who was courageous without knowing she was, a child who was unrelenting, and a child who was determined.  It is a marvelously written book, and I commend Ms. Block for the having the courage to take on this task.  5/5