Book Review: The Diary of Laura's Twin by Zeenat

Book Review:

The Diary of Laura's Twin   by  Kathy Kacer

The premise of the story starts with the passing of a diary written during World War 2 to the next generation. Laura Wyman is an almost 13 year old Jewish girl who has been asked to become involved  in a  project as part of the preparations for her Bat Mitzvah or the coming of age ceremony . The project involved learning about a person from the Holocaust who was unable to celebrate this momentous occasion as a result of the persecution faced during World War 2. Despite some reservations, Laura meets an aged community member, Mrs Mandelcorn who gives her an old diary which she promises to read.


Laura's attitude and beliefs towards her Jewish identity changes as she peruses the pages of the diary and is transported into Sara Gittler's life, a girl of a similiar age and very much like her who is imprisoned in the Warsaw  ghetto during World War 2. She becomes the witness to the past as an understanding and awareness of the persecution and annihilation of her people shakes her very core of existence as she comprehends the need for remembering and ensuring that history does not repeat it self.


Sara's diary teaches Laura the most powerful lessons as she applies the lessons she learned from the diary  and confronts prejudice in the present . As her best friend faces a dangerous and yet moral dilemma,  Laura encourages and advises her friend to stand up and expose the truth- having read in Sara's diary of the silence of the citizens as Jews were beaten and deported, Laura is aware that keeping quiet and not speaking up against injustice cannot be condoned.


I give this book a rating of 10/10 as it is a very powerful, moving story with twists and surprises that will keep the reader hooked from the very first page. This story not only examines the themes of war and peace but also the similarities and differences that may exist between the children of today and the past. It depicts a sense of loss and suffering but unlike many other Holocaust stories that leave the reader feeling sad and with a sense of hopelessness, this book leaves an impression of powerful lessons that can be learnt from past mistakes - past fires can often lead to future light if we have the wisdom and courage to do what is morally right. It challenges us to think about what if fate and destiny led us to a similar situation, will we have the courage or strength to stand up against injustice? It also made me contemplate on things that we take for granted such as freedom. Therefore, this book will evoke different emotions and leave the reader pondering on many issues and I highly recommend it.

Zeenat