A young readers’ edition of the bestselling book from Auschwitz survivor Hédi Fried that answers lasting questions about the Holocaust.

Hédi Fried was nineteen when the Nazis arrested her family and transported them to Auschwitz. While there, apart from enduring the daily terror at the camp, she and her sister were forced into hard labour before being released at the end of the war.

After settling in Sweden, Hédi devoted her life to educating young people about the Holocaust. In her 90s, she decided to take the most common questions, and her answers, and turn them into a book so that children all over the world could understand what had happened.

This is a deeply human book that urges us never to forget and never to repeat.

‘Timeless lessons taught with simple eloquence.’
Kirkus Reviews

"

‘It is the telling detail that gives her testimony its particular power … This little book, with its reminder “there are no stupid questions, nor any forbidden ones, but there are some … that have no answer”, is a moving record of one woman’s experience.’

"

‘Fried was 19 when she and her family were sent from Hungary to Auschwitz. Her parents were murdered, but she and her sister survived. They both made a home in Sweden and, ever since, Fried, now 94, has talked to students about her experiences. This slim but powerful volume, sensitively translated by Alice Olsson, comprises answers to the questions she is most frequently asked, such as: “Why did you not fight back?” and “What helped you to survive?”, “Are you able to forgive?” Fried answers with humanity, candour, and thoughtfulness in a book that should be required reading for all young people.’

"

‘Something like what Anne Frank might have written had she survived … Timeless lessons taught with simple eloquence.’

"

‘While many authors have produced great works about the Holocaust, this sort of first-person narrative is the best source of true information. Every library should add this book to its collection. Social studies teachers would find this a highly valuable source for discussions on the Holocaust (Fried herself even provides a list of discussion questions in the text). I highly recommend the purchase of this book.’

"

‘This is terrific in that I was utterly engrossed in not only what questions are asked of Hedi but the astute and depthful way she answers them. I began to read the other evening and went all the way to the end before putting this book down. It’s also potent in the ways our author touches on current issues with how we treat “others” as to how we become divided and in worst case hurtful to those unlike ourselves. a big thumbs up and NOT just for the younger generation!’

"

‘Reminds us all why we need to heed the lessons of the past.’

"

‘[S]ince these questions come from children, they quickly reach a level of intimacy that most adults would be afraid to venture into … Questions I Am Asked About the Holocaust is a collection of Hédi's gentle, honest answers to these questions over the years. With sensitivity and complete candour, Fried answers these questions and more in this deeply human book that urges us never to forget and never to repeat.’

"

‘Now 94, Fried’s largeness of spirit emanates from every considered response to even the most confronting questions asked of her. One senses that her replies are not only educative but therapeutic, especially for young people grappling with their own questions about the meaning of life. While most of her experiences of this period are inescapably dark, there were moments of light that assumed enormous significance.’

"

‘Hédi Fried is a remarkable woman and her writing offers important insights into truly terrible events and the slow, insidious way in which hatred can be fostered. Questions I Am Asked About the Holocaust is an easy to read account of things that are almost too horrible to comprehend. The essays represent an individual’s reflections on matters that touch the whole of humanity and, as Fried hopes, the lessons she has to teach about the past should serve as a warning for the future.’

"

‘It’s the straightforwardness of the book — and the fact that Fried is so candid in her answers — that makes this book so important.’

"

‘Anyone who can remember that time, anyone who can remember someone who could remember, or anyone who feels the instinctive urge to be one with the humanity of memory, and the memory of humanity, cannot but be moved deeply and quite actively by Fried’s book.’

"

‘Candid and unflinching, deeply personal and sensitive, this is the perfect book for anyone, young or old, wanting to learn more about the Holocaust and why we must never forget — especially as the last surviving witnesses are lost to us.’

"

‘Honest and insightful.’

"

‘Ques­tions I Am Asked About the Holo­caust defies genre … a deeply per­son­al account of her past, told in sim­ple, straight­for­ward lan­guage that most pre­teens can under­stand … Since the book is intend­ed for younger read­ers, Fried is free to be didac­tic. Every­thing is a les­son … Ques­tions I Am Asked About the Holo­caust is an invalu­able means of intro­duc­ing stu­dents to the com­plex­i­ties of the Holo­caust. And it will do for Fried what she seeks to do for her par­ents: to keep her mem­o­ry and name alive.’

"

‘Fried's straightforward, candid answers are as informative as they are moving. This book should be required school reading.’

"

‘Sheds light on a devastating topic with empathy, sensitivity, and honesty.’

"

‘An essential addition for those learning about the Holocaust, refugees, and the complexities of WWII.’