The Ballerina in the Ghetto - Book Review

The Ballerina in the Ghetto
Book One: Invasion
by Terrance Williamson

Hitler's madness caused unfathomable suffering to millions, resulting from Nazi persecution. Survivors endured indelible trauma. Many Jews clung tightly to the faith taught by their forefathers, hoping that the God of Israel would one day redeem them. This same faith sustained Franceska, who hoped for a better and brighter future.

Franceska, the central character in Terrance Williamson's story, dreamed of becoming a renowned ballerina. She dedicated her youth to mastering the art of dance, and her efforts paid off when she placed fourth in a prestigious competition. Although rumors of Nazi rule hovered around, she never expected that her beloved Warsaw would be invaded sooner than she thought.

When the Nazis began bombing the city, Franceska's family was unprepared. Like their neighbors, they had to flee quickly. Displaced and terrified, families scrambled to find safety. Compounding Franceska's fear was her mother's chronic back pain, and the fact that her family was Jewish, something Hitler despised and aimed to eradicate. However, with courage and determination, Franceska refused to be broken. She made decisions she believed were best for her family despite the challenges posed by her parents' stubbornness. She decided to get a job to help them survive, while her father chose to enlist with a group of civilians to fight the oppressors.

In a twist of fate, Franceska found love in the most unexpected person. Will their blossoming relationship help them survive the impending Nazi persecution, considering their ethnicity?

The Book and the Author

The Ballerina in the Ghetto reflects the experiences of real people during Hitler's reign of terror. I've read several historical fictions about World War II, particularly focusing on Nazi persecution and policies against the Jews. Each story generally revolves around the suffering of the Jewish people. However, in The Ballerina in the Ghetto, the author presents the narrative from a different perspective, centering on Franceska's journey and her personal struggles amidst the chaos of war.

Williamson consistently develops Franceska's character throughout the story. I particularly enjoyed her encounters and dialogues with Father Maximilian Kolbe, as these moments showcased Franceska's maturation. The love story between Franceska and Mr. Rosenberg is well-established. However, the same cannot be said for some of the other characters; readers are left wondering what happens to them. There are actually a handful of loose ends in The Ballerina in the Ghetto.

On the technical side, I noticed several grammatical errors throughout the book. I suggest the author submits a copy for another round of proofreading before publication.

Overall, I give The Ballerina in the Ghetto a rating of 3 out of 5 stars, and I recommend this book for readers aged 16 and above. Younger readers might find the depiction of war during Hitler's reign disturbing, so I don’t encourage them to read it. I look forward to reading Book 2 of The Ballerina in the Ghetto series.

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