Deem's book has taken the experiences of a variety of Breendonk prisoners and made them personal for the reader by giving a glimpse at their lives and who they were as people. It is one thing to read about a group of people but as bits and pieces are revealed about each prisoner, it is hard to imagine the torture they went through.
Breendonk was not labeled a concentration camp, but instead was termed a reception camp where prisoners would be held until their release. However, the torture endured at Breendonk was no less than at any concentration/death camp, and roughly half of the prisoners didn't survive.
Deem's book is well researched and provides many photographs and sketches along with some maps that give a better idea of what life was like in Breendonk.
I have read other non-fiction accounts of life in the concentration camps during World War II, and this is a fantastic addition to this growing collection.
This is geared toward middle school - high school readers and will help satisfy their curiosity about World War II. Although it doesn't go into Belgian history, it does give a glimpse at this country during the war as well.
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