The Soldier, the Avatar, and the Holocaust: WWII Germany, Jan.-May, 1945

I hold a Ph.D. in US history and a master’s degree in European history, both focusing on the social/cultural history of the 20th century. I felt knowledgeable about how the average citizen responded to the vagaries and horrors of war, that is, until I read Ronni Sanlo’s, "The Soldier, The Avatar, and the Holocaust." This book is an historical novel but Sanlo does not flinch on research. There are several explored themes including what happened to German children during war, the desire of the young Jewish soldier who is determined to avenge the death of his extended family at the hands of the Nazis, and the need of the avatar to understand. This is an exciting book. Ronni Sanlo walks her readers through the war and through the eyes and ears of two young people from different centuries but of the same family. Where the 20th century soldier is accepting of the status quo in all things war, our 21st century time-traveller questions everything she sees, hears, and does. Imaginative, humorous, and compelling, this book will have a substantial impact on every person who reads it. A fascinating read indeed.

Ronni Sanlo has created a very readable and compelling family history about the time her father, Sandy Lebman, served in the US Army in Europe during WWII. A young man, recently married, he wrote letters to his wife, Lois, and these letters form the basis for the book. The narrative contains the personal events and the world history that happened while he crossed Europe during the last months of the war, a time that brought the final downfall of Germany and the liberation of concentration camps--one of which, Dachau near Munich, was first entered by Sandy Lebman and his Rainbow division of US troops. Sanlo backs up her narrative with many pictures and a thorough inclusion of historical resources. As an older adult, born in WWII, I am familiar with the history and have no problem with believing that the Holocaust really happened. Some young people aren't so sure, so Sanlo has included a fictional character in the book, Beth, a 2017 avatar who time travels back to 1945 to witness the events along with her great-grandfather. The use of this fictionalized version of a real person, who flits about like a Disney Tinkerbell, is hard for me to accept. I am sure it will work better for the young people for whom this book is really designed. But the avatar did not ruin the real story for me, and I gradually became used to the device. Because this story really happened to real people, I found it very enjoyable overall. The Holocaust must be remembered, lest it happen again. Thank you, Ronni Sanlo, for this gift to all of us.

Up to 85 million dead; 6 million of them Jews. But why? what drove the atrocities of WWII? A teenage cosplay avatar meets up with her great-grandfather, then a 20-year old soldier, and learns how he, the other soldiers, and the everyday people of European towns and villages in 1945 struggled to survive, connect, and find fragments of hope during a time of unimaginable suffering. Prejudice thrives in the fertile soil of rigid ideology. Sanlo, a gifted historian and storyteller, inspires readers of all ages to follow the pathways of humanity, respect and dignity.

Ronni Sanlo has written an extraordinary book! She has captured the realities of World War II simultaneously from the eyes of a young Jewish soldier who was actually there, and a modern day teen’s perspectives! She obviously researched many facts about the progression of the war, especially of the 42nd Rainbow Division, as well as from the tender letters written by this young soldier to his new bride. This book should be required reading for all high school students to have a better understanding of what really happened in the holocaust, and to honor the words of “Never Again!

A beautifully written "based on a true story" novel that gives today's readers a moving glimpse of the tragedy and heroism of the Holocaust and the Allies' victory in World War II. The heartfelt journey Sandy Lebman shares with his great-granddaughter--and with us--helps us honor and remember the sacrifices and spirit of the men, women, and children who lost their lives in the horror of a barbarous war and its brutal ethnic cleansing. Highly recommended.

This is a remarkable book. A gripping page-turner, and a powerful moral document. I think the book has the capacity not only to make us remember the horrors of past hatred and bigotry, but also to prepare us to be more sensitive and determined about continuing oppressions and injustice in contemporary society. Simply wonderful!

This book transcends generations as the soldier/protagonist fights in the US Army during WWII while the student/Avatar fights her own personal war. From the perspective of this retired military person, Dr. Sanlo got the military piece right. It’s an important read for people of all ages.