The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson
Bibliographic
Information:
Leyson, L. (2013). The boy on the wooden box: How the impossible became possible … on
schindler’s
list. New York, NY: Atheneum
Books for Young Readers. ISBN
9781442497825
Summary:
Imagine being
stripped of everything you own, separated from your family, and forced to work
in inhumane conditions. This is the story of Leon Leyson. That is, until he
meets Oskar Schindler, a Nazi businessman, who has a conscience. Will Leon be
reunited with his family? Will he find his dignity? Or will he remain invisible
forever? Read to find out how one unexpected hero can change everything,
including the atrocities of war.
Critical Analysis:
After reading
his memoir depicting his life during the Holocaust, Leon Leyson feels like a
friend. In assistance with Marilyn H. Harran and Elisabeth B. Leyson, Leon
manages to capture his horrific story between the covers of his book. His words
are eloquent, simple, and often entrancing – forcing the reader to want to know
more and not being able to put the book down.
Although this
memoir is of a very graphic and horrendous time in history, Leyson has the
ability to share his story in depth without over doing the horror. This ability
also makes the reader feel as if they are in the story and memories of Leyson
by his side. It is no wonder that this novel has received such praise,
including the Christopher Award that “affirms the highest values of the human
spirit.” Leyson takes a very difficult subject and shows how we can find
unexpected heroes if we open our eyes and pay attention.
Readers should
pay particular attention to the photographs and images provided at the end of
the memoir that document Leon and his family. Thankfully, this piece was
published just before his passing.
Creative Activity:
Heartfelt
Unexpected Hero
Sometimes
heroes can appear in people we might least expect. This was certainly true of
Schindler for Leon. Who is your hero? Is it someone your friends and family
might except or not? Why or why not? Consider the qualities that make someone a
hero. What were those qualities in Schindler? Remember Leon’s father; Moshe
never lost faith in Oskar even though others may have. Research other
historical heroes who are unexpected. Do you believe we find heroes within
evil?
Holocaust
History
During Leon’s
memoir, The Boy on the Wooden Box,
there are many historical places mentioned as Leon and his family move around
together at times and sometimes separately. Research and map the many places on
Leon’s travels. Find photographs of what they looked like during the war
(1939-1945) and of what they look like present day. How do they compare?
Consider how Leon felt after returning home to Krakow after the war. Reread his
descriptions on page 168. Imagine how these images compared to his previous
life memories.
Related Resources:
Number
the Stars by Lois Lowry
Lowry, L. (2011). Number the stars. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 9780547577098
- - Geared
toward younger readers, yet still a Newbery winning classic, this is the endearing
tale of Annemarie, a ten-year-old girl living in Denmark during the Holocaust.
Readers who enjoyed Leon’s memoir will certainly embrace Annemarie’s bravery
and story of her efforts to save her Jewish friend, Ellen.
The Holocaust – A Learning Site for
Students
- - To
gain a deeper understand of the Holocaust and the impact, spend time
researching the Holocaust utilizing the United States Holocaust Memorial
Museum. This website is geared towards students and is youth friendly.
Anne Frank Website – Center for Mutual
Respect
- - Another
helpful website to learn more about another Holocaust survivor, Anne Frank. Her
story as a child survivor has gained popularity. The website even contains a
list of traveling exhibits with the location and dates of display.
Published Reviews:
Publishers Weekly remarks, “Readers
will close the book feeling that they have made a genuinely personal connection
to this remarkable man.”
Publishers
Weekly. (2013). The boy on the wooden box: How the impossible became possible
…on schindler’s list. Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-4424-9781-8
Kirkus Review calls The Boy on the Wooden Box a “harrowing but not lurid account.”
Kirkus Review. (2013).
The boy on the wooden box. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/leon-leyson/boy-on-wooden-box/
Additional
Resource
Christopher Award. Retrieved from http://www.christophers.org/page.aspx?pid=217
May your spirit live on, Leib!
~ Mandy :)
*cover image borrowed from www.barnesandnoble.com
*
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