Daniel's Story (by Carol Matas)

By the end of the book, most of Daniel's family has been murdered, but he has survived and is thankful for what little he has left. His faith in humanity has been badly shaken, but not destroyed. The novel examines the great evil--as well as the great good--of which human beings are capable.

Matas' gift lies in her ability to accurately portray the senselessness of the Holocaust. She doesn't sugarcoat the details, yet the book never becomes too horrifying for young readers. Matas repeatedly emphasizes that people must have a basic level of respect for each other. Throughout the book, Daniel struggles to maintain the belief that most people are good at heart, and, ultimately, he retains this conviction.