Book Review: The Ballerina of Auschwitz
Today I’m diving into The Ballerina of Auschwitz, the young adult book edition of Dr. Edith Eger’s powerful memoir, The Choice. If you’re ready for a story that will break your heart and inspire you all at once, this one is it. It’s a deeply moving account of resilience, sacrifice, and ultimately, hope.
Publisher provided a ARC for review, however all thoughts and opinions our own. This post contains affiliate links. We earn a small commission for items purchased.
Dr. Edith Eger’s story begins with her as a young girl in Hungary, dreaming big—she’s a gymnast, a dancer, and even has her eyes set on the Olympics. She’s falling in love for the first time, with a local boy named Eric, and life feels full of promise. But this is 1943, and for a Jewish girl like Edie, the shadow of war and fascism looms over her life. The early chapters carry this stunning contrast between her aspirations for love and success and the creeping dread of the world collapsing around her.
When Edie and her family are sent to Auschwitz, the tone of The Ballerina of Auschwitz shifts. Her descriptions of the camp are harrowing—being separated from her parents, enduring starvation, and witnessing unimaginable horrors. What sticks out to me was how she clings to fragments of hope. Her dreams of seeing Eric again and the bond with her sister Magda are what keep her going. The two sisters rely on each other for survival in a world that seems designed to destroy them.
The strength of The Ballerina of Auschwitz is how Edie allows us to see her spirit—not as a flawless hero but as someone struggling, and persevering in the face of impossible circumstances. Her thoughts on guilt and grief after surviving Auschwitz are raw and relatable. When she returns home, it’s not the relief you might expect. Instead, she’s consumed by thoughts of survivor’s guilt and the loss of her family and first love.
Eventually, though, Edie rebuilds. She finds love again while recovering at a TB clinic, discovers a new purpose, and devotes her life to sharing her story and fighting against fascism. What makes this young adult edition special is how it simplifies her journey without losing its emotional weight. It’s easy to read, but it doesn’t shy away from the brutal truths of the Holocaust.
If you’re looking for a book that captures both the darkest and brightest parts of the Jewish female experience during World War II, The Ballerina of Auschwitz is a must-read.
Other World War II book reviews:
Book Review: Trajectory by Cambria Gordon
Captain America: The Ghost Army Book Review!
