A treat was waiting for me at the hotel’s breakfast buffet this morning.
Cinnamon raisin bread!
Right when I spotted the bread, I threw two slices in the toaster before topping them with peanut butter and jelly.
Along with the toast, breakfast included some scrambled eggs and a banana.
I also poured myself a hot mug of my new favorite pomegranate green tea, which I am currently enjoying as I blog. Mmm.
Moving right along… It’s time for a PBF Book Review!
Sarah’s Key
Two days.
That’s how long it took me to read Sarah’s Key, a moving and emotion-filled historical fiction novel.
I couldn’t put it down and spent the majority of my evening the past two nights thoroughly entranced in the book.
The first half of the book flip flops between 1942 and 2002.
Sarah is an 11-year-old Jewish girl living in Paris in July 1942. The book follows her life, beginning on the night that her family is taken by French police to a large stadium, the Vélodrome d’Hiver, with thousands of other Jewish families who were then transported to concentration camps.
When the French police come for Sarah’s family, she tells her four-year-old brother to hide deep in the secret cabinet in his room. She locks him in the hidden cabinet, assuming her father will let him out or that her family will return to let him out soon. The book chronicles Sarah’s journey and her obsession with getting back to her brother.
In 2002, the book follows journalist Julia Jarmond, who, though researching more about the Vélodrome d’Hiver for a story, becomes engrossed in the events that occurred in Paris in the summer of 1942. Her life intertwines with Sarah’s and the book jumps back and forth between the two characters before solely following Julia as she connects the pieces between their two lives in the second half of the novel.
While the characters are fictional, the events that happened in July 1942 in Paris at the Vélodrome d’Hiver are very, very real.
Knowing that thousands of Jewish families were killed and others emotionally scarred forever because of the events that occurred only 69 years ago is what makes this book so hard to read, so gut-wrenching and so moving.
I have been deeply interested in the Holocaust since I read Number the Stars in fourth grade and struggle to wrap my head around the evil and cruelty that occurred in this world not that long ago. Sarah’s Key discusses the round up at the Vélodrome d’Hiver, an event where French policemen rounded up Jewish families, not German soldiers. I had never heard of the events surrounding the Vélodrome d’Hiver until this book and the author clearly communicates that the Vélodrome d’Hiver round up is an event that shames France and is commonly forgotten by not only the French but by people worldwide.
It is clear that the author feels that this event is one that should be remembered and I couldn’t agree more. The families affected by the Vélodrome d’Hiver round ups deserve our thoughts and our prayers and I am so grateful to have read Sarah’s Key, not only for the tremendous writing and storytelling, but for the education about such a tremendous and horrific event in history.
Additional PBF Book Reviews:
- The Art of Racing in the Rain
- Divergent
- The Help (<—My favorite!)
- The Hunger Games Series
- Water for Elephants
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I wanted to download a new book on my kindle but one that actually taught me something (more than cheating scandals, girly stuff) so I will do this one! Thanks for the review 🙂
exactly! i used to be SO into chick-lit (like shopaholic, etc.) and while i do still like those books, lately i’ve been wanting MORE from the books i read. this one is definitely worth a read.
you are soo good at your book reviews! i gotta read more…
I LOVEEEE cinna raisin bread!
I love books that surround WWII and Concentration Camps. Night by Elie Wiesel was always one of my favorites growing up. I am going to HAVE to read this one! Thanks Julie. Just finished Mockingjay and… well.. am going through withdrawals! Need a good read.
i know what you mean! i plowed through all of the hunger games books and was then like “now what!?” once they were over! you get so invested and when a series like that ends, it’s kind of odd!
I love cinnamon raisin bread! It makes really good grilled cheese, too … add a little sliced apple in there … yum! 🙂
I love your book reviews 🙂 Books that tug at my emotions are the best…except i hate crying 😉 haha!
Also a) I LOVE that tea. and b) I have yet to find an amazing GF cinn raisin bread – enjoy another slice for me?!
🙂 Enjoy your day!
I remember reading Number the Stars in 5th grade and crying my eyes out– it was phenomenal!
I’m gonna have to get my hands on this novel now too 🙂
i was wondering if anyone else would remember that book!! if you liked that book back then, you will really like sarah’s key. highly, highly recommended.
i think that was my first holocaust book too!! i also reccommend Night by Elie Wiesel.
I loved Sarah’s Key too! I read it a few years ago and it took me only a few days as well to read it 🙂 So wonderful! Great review Julie!
We should do a book swap. You have some books on that list that I’ve been dying to read. I read The Help, though. I have to agree. It was amazing. I can’t wait for the movie to come out. Emma Stone is one of my favorite young actresses.
Wow, what a great review! I am pretty much sitting here screaming “what happens next???!!!” in my head 🙂 I’ll definitely look into this one as soon as I finish my current book. Thanks!
ha! i’m so glad you’re intrigued! you definitely should read it. so emotional and incredibly thought-provoking.
I can’t wait until next week when I start my new job and have a somewhat normal schedule!
I may actually have some time to read again! 🙂 I have about 10 books waiting eagerly on my bookshelf!
oh I love cinnamon raisin bread, even though I can’t remember the last time I had it 🙂
I wish I had time to read for pleasure instead of purpose right now… soon, hopefully! Love the review- but now I’m intrigued!!
It sounds like a must read book! I would really like to see it and learn more. Ps- love cinnamon raisin bread!!
I also loved Sarah’s Key. If you are looking for more Holocaust fiction try Daniel’s Story by Carol Matas and of course the Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl.
I love books about the holocaust. They’re always so engrossing and heartbreaking. Buying this on my kindle NOW!
Number the Stars was a really good book that got me interested in learning more about the Holocaust as well. Anne Frank’s story is another one that will never leave me. I’m definitely checking out this book.
Since you mentioned that you’re interested in the Holocaust, have you been to the museum in DC? I found it VERY hard to get through (finally did with quite a few tears along the way), but it was definitely worth the while.
i went when i was in middle school with my family, but i would really, really like to go again. i remember it being so, so sad.
LOVED that book. I am weirdly obsessed with Holocaust literature (also since reading Number the Stars!) You should try Those Who Save Us… trying to remember the other books I read. I liked Zookeeper’s Wife as well.
I remember reading Number the Stars as a kid and becoming very interested in the Holocaust. My grandmother used to tell me stories about World War II and how her father and brother were sent to concentration camps because they were soldiers fighting against the Nazis. This sounds like a book that I would really enjoy.
There’s actually a movie for the book too! It just came out within the past two weeks or so. I haven’t seen it yet… I didnt recognize anyone in the cast either. I’m waiting to go see it when my movie theater has the $5 ticket price!
Oh bummer. I just looked to see times for the movie and I can’t even find a theater showing it within 100 miles of Orlando! Weird! It still show up when I search for it on Fandango.
it’s not even showing up at all on fandango for me! i want to see it now!
This book sounds great! I actually just started re-reading “All But my Life” by Gerda Weissman Klein, a memoir about a Jewish girl growing up in Poland during the war. It really is beautifully written. I think you’d enjoy it.
Ahhh, I LOVE “All But My Life” so much! I think it might be the most beautifully written memoir I’ve ever read.
two rave reviews! i’ll have to check it out.
I recommend “Pictures at an Exhibition,” which taught me about an aspect of WWII that I’d never known about: Nazis stealing fine art and other artifacts from Jews all over Europe. Some masterpiece paintings have never been recovered.
I’ll definitely have to give this a read. I’ve never read about the Holocaust in France.
So interesting that you read and loved Number the Stars in 4th grade because I read that book in that grade too. It was definitely a moving book!
You NEED to read Room!!!! (If you haven’t read it yet, of course)
I just bought it yesterday and I only have about 20 pages to go.
I’m not even a mom, but it is so heart wrenching to read about a child think that way and live in that environment.
So so so sad, but so so so well written and interesting.
I read Sarah’s Key when it came out which was about 4 years ago I think? Now that the movie is coming out everyone I know is reading it and I honestly don’t remember what happened. I know the main plot, but I wish I had the emotional connection with it still for the movie. Maybe I’ll reread, I know I loved it.
This book sounds awesome! Definitely buying it on my Kindle today! I was just thinking while working to work today that I need a new, super easy, but really captivating book. Thanks for the rec!
I’m Jewish, and I guess that explains why I’ve always had a deep interest in the Holocaust and Holocaust Lit (Number the Stars was the first Holocaust novel my parents let me read—still one of my absolute favorites). I definitely need to get this book!
Thanks for the review! I’ve heard it is a wonderful book.
And I love that you mentioned Number The Stars — I remember reading that in school too!
Wow this sounds incredibly moving and haunting. Have you ever read Night by Elie Wiesel? It’s another chilling Holocaust book, and it’s very short. I read it in just a couple hours, but it stays with you.
no, i’d love to read it, though.
I have this sitting on my bookcase. It’s my next book! I’ve heard nothing but good things. It’s also a movie. I’m not sure if it is out yet or just about to be released. I watched the trailer and nearly cried. So, I don’t think I’ll be seeing that (at least not in a theater full of people).
I loved Sarah’s Key and bought it for a bunch of people at Christmas. Some other good WWII books are Those Who Save Us (by Jenna Blum) and The Book Theif (by Markus Zusak). I am finally reading The Help right now and love it. I can’t wait for the movie to come out!
Yay! I’m glad someone mentioned The Book Thief!! Such a great book!
In addition to Sarah’s Key, I found myself reading several books about the Holocaust this spring, I would highly recommend both – The Book Thief and Those Who Save Us.
I would agree with the above post – The Book Thief was really good. Emotionally draining, but so good.
These were both so good. Great suggestions!
That book sounds really good. Thank you for posting a review. I am going to have to read it 🙂
This sounds like an amazing read! – Thanks for the review!
It really was moving, wasn’t it? I was crazy about the book itself (writing style and exact plot), but the background was fascinating.
This book is next on my list! Right now I am reading, “Devl in the White City”, by Erik Larson. It is soo chilling and a great read so far!! It also focuses on real life events- it is the World’s Fair in Chicago. Looks like Sarah’s Key should be next on my list!!
If you liked to read Sarah’s Key, I can recommend you The Diary of a Young Girl. http://www.amazon.com/Anne-Frank-Diary-Young-Girl/dp/0553296981
I’ll definitely be reading this book! WWII is such a fascinating historical time period. I teach high school English & I always read an excerpt from Night by Elie Wiesel with me students & they really get into it!
I remember reading “Number the Stars” in elementary school. After seeing the play in middle school, I was really hooked. Definitely going to keep “Sarah’s Key” on my book list. Thanks for sharing!
oh, that was already mentioned above 😉
I just picked up “Little Bee” in the airport…can’t wait to read it. Should be a good one! I also loved The Help!
I read “Little Bee” last summer and it is a really good read. From what I remember, it’s told from different character’s perspectives.
Never hear of Number the Stars… Read Anne Frank and Night though….
Another book I read a few years back was this one
http://www.alibris.com/search/books/qwork/3165925/used/In%20Memory's%20Kitchen%3A%20A%20Legacy%20from%20the%20Women%20of%20Terezin
It is a “cookbook” / memoir written by women in one of the concentration camps (Terezin) VERY unique and interesting
oh wow! that is very interesting!
Great Review! I still want to read The Help too 🙂
Sounds like a great book Julie, and I wish I had more time so I could read all of your recommendations! PS. I’m with you on the pomegranate green tea – up until now I haven’t been able to stand green tea, but I have a Tetley pomegranate-infused one and I’m actually starting to really like it!
I loved Remember the Stars in elementary school, and it has always remained one of my favorites. I spotted it at a yard sale this past spring and bought it for my ”collection” of childhood books, simply because I wanted it for my future child to one day read. I will definitely need to read Sarah’s Key…the book review is way too good to pass up, and I love learning about new things, while being a good emotionally and mentally charged read. Thanks. 🙂
I’ve heard great things about this book! I’ve bought it too, but haven’t picked it up yet. You may have just convinced me to bump it up to the top of my list!
I read this book last year and LOVED it too! I read it as fast as you did 🙂
I want to go and pick up Divergent, haven’t heard of that one!
I’ve actually heard of and seen Sarah’s Key – glad to know it was enjoyed! I’m always hesitant to pick up books without at least one good review first 🙂
I want to read Sarah’s Key but have been warned that it might be a difficult read. I am Jewish and I have grown up surrounded by stories of the Holocaust. All the books I have read have always deeply touched me and made me appreciate my religion. I was always in awe of the spirit of the Jewish people and deeply moved by the non-Jewish people who risked their lives to help by hiding Jewish people. Thankfully my family had all gotten out of Europe (most of my family were Jews from Russia) before the Holocaust started but it is still hard for me to read about it. I still think one of the greatest movies of all time is Life Is Beautiful. Have you seen that? Amazing.
no i haven’t. i’ve heard amazing things about that movie though.
Yum, pb&j toast. A favorite of mine. I’ll have to try it on cinnamon raison bread sometime — that would’ve never occurred to me.
Adding Sarah’s List to my list of books to read — thanks!
I LOVE PB on cinnamon/raisin bread – must be why I love the PB&Co cinnamon raisin so much!
Thanks for the book review, I am always looking for good “summer” reading, (and telling myself MAYBE come fall I will go for something a little more serious or educational)
ANYWAY, I had a random question for you, and you may have answered this before, but what is your absolute favorite brand of peanut butter? I have been trying some different kinds, the latest being MaraNatha organic no stir. I love the kind you grind yourself at Whole Foods, but I can’t always get there, it doesn’t store long, etc. Suggestions?
i like skippy natural – it tastes like pb from childhood. 🙂
totally with you on the Skippy Natural- actually eating apple-cinnamon oats in a Skippy jar right now!
I agree with the Skippy Natural! It’s all I buy now and I LOVEEEEE it. :))