Schoschana Rabinovici

Thanks to My Mother

Schoschana Rabinovici

• 1999 Batchelder winner
• Score: 10.49

Susie Weksler was only eight when Hitler's forces invaded her Lithuanian city of Vilnius. Over the next few years, Susie endured starvation, brutality, and forced labor in three concentration camps. With courage and ingenuity, Susie's mother helped her to survive — by disguising her as an adult, finding food to add to their scarce rations, and giving her the will to endure. This harrowing memoir portrays the best and worst of humanity in heartbreaking scenes that you will never forget.