"Sarah's Key"

"Sarah's Key" by Tatiana De Rosnay is a historical novel that moved me in a way I cannot remember any other book moving me.  It alternates between modern day France and America and World War II France and the holocaust.  When Julia Jarmond, an American journalist living in France -- and married to a Frenchman -- is asked to write a story about the round up of Jews in Paris in July of 1942, she has no idea where that story will lead her and how it will impact her life as well as her family's life.  She uncovers the story of 10 year old Sarah, a Jewish girl taken with her parents by the French police in a door-to-door round up of Jews.  Her younger brother is afraid and decides to hide in a secret cupboard that he and Sarah play in.  Sarah locks him in, pockets the key, and promises to return to free him.  What happened to Sarah, her parents, and her brother all impact Julia's life.  It was a tale that saddened me but also inspired me with the bravery and compassion of others in a time of great fear and danger.  pazt