Mama, ich höre dich

Only 60 children born in Auschwitz were able to be liberated in 1945. However, survival did not mean living; it was a state in between, signifying learning to live. They had to learn to become young again in order to age like other people. For the little ones, especially, the precursors of death were often better known than life itself. Scars remained in the souls of these children, just like the prisoner numbers tattooed on their left forearms, thighs, or buttocks. Some are still restless and desperate today because they do not truly know: Who am I? Is my family still alive? Where is my sister? Was my father really killed? Some knew nothing about their origins. Almost all were orphans. Much has been written about the German crimes in the concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz. For many decades, the story of the children remained largely unknown. This book tells that story. Alwin Meyer has meticulously, compassionately, and patiently researched, inquired about, and recorded the stories of the children of Auschwitz. Many shared their experiences of life in the camp and afterward for the first time. Meyer not only provides shocking numbers and facts but also gives names and faces to the survivors, allowing them to speak at length.