Stones in Water by Donna Jo Napoli
Published by OUP

A group of Italian boys in Venice during World War Two is rounded up by German soldiers and taken by train to a Nazi forced labour camp.   Roberto witnesses unspeakable horrors.   He eventually escapes, but is he strong enough to survive the brutal winter conditions, wolves, the terrible hunger - and to evade capture ?   His friend Enzo has a different experience, forced to keep his real name and identity secret.   An exciting thriller which brings home the hardships endured by young boys in wartime Europe.