The story of Schindler's List has been told several times before - in the forms of countless novels and movies, but never quite like this; through the eyes of Leon Leyson, one of the youngest children to have survived the Holocaust on Schindler's List.

Written before his death, Leyson recreates his childhood through his memoir: The Boy on the Wooden Box. The narrative reveals his childhood memories of growing up during the Holocaust. Beyond the atrocities that Leyson and his family had to face is the powerful story of family love and purpose.

Leyson was only 8 years old when the Nazis attacked Poland. Before the war, he tells of his carefree days. He was just like any other young boy living in the 1930s - he played with his friends, attended school, and enjoyed life to its fullest. Of course, that all changes when his little village of Narewka is taken over, forcing Leyson and his family to be relocated to Krakow. Just within a year, Leyson's life was changed forever. He was no longer allowed to go to school, play outside, or do anything that he used to do in Narewka. Thousands of Jewish families were forced to move out of Krakow, and to the ghetto, including Leyson and his family. It was here and all the different concentration camps that Leyson witnessed the Nazi's brutality - the shooting of Jews for pure enjoyment, starvation, and countless other horrid scenes.

With incredible grit and perseverance, Leyson was able to survive the malice of the Nazis. However, despite his determination to endure, it was solely because of one man's generosity and cunningness that Leyson and the lives of many other Jews were saved. A Nazi officer named Oskar Schindler. Schindler added names of Jews who worked in his factory to his list that soon became world-renowned and known as Schindler's List. By the end of the memoir, I had a profound appreciation for Schindler. He was truly a spark of hope and humanity for the Jews suffering in camps.

The novel was exceptionally well-written. Even while describing the cruelty that he was subjected to, Leon Leyson never let his anger and hatred take control of his narrative. Nor does he shy away from describing the atrocities he experienced - especially the fear of death that followed him every day for six long years. Leyson's memoir perfectly captures a young child's innocence and ignorance through facing the unthinkable.

His story was able to bring readers into a terrifying world where they breathe a sigh of relief when they learn that Leyson survived the nightmare of the Holocaust.

Leon Leyson's story leaves the reader with hope that there are people who would risk everything for the sake of morality. Reading The Boy on the Wooden Box has reaffirmed my belief that people can rise above unimaginable horrors and triumph in the end. It's surprising but inspiring how a child created a legacy of hope and determination.

This book is written with younger readers in mind. However, because of the subject and content, I would not recommend it for anyone younger than middle school students.  I definitely rate The Boy on the Wooden Box a 10/10 and highly urge anyone interested in the Holocaust and the events surrounding it to read this!

Leon Leyson's message is one that will last forever: hope for a better world that is ruled by humanity, not hate.

 Checkout The Boy in the Wooden Box from the Newport Beach Public Library.