Dita Adler

The young girl from the Czech Republic, Dita Adler, is an intellect who is more interested in becoming a scientist than a beauty queen. She is the main character of the novel, and the third-person narration is based on her story. Dita's family was forced from their home in Prague in the late thirties, and eventually sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Dita, a bright girl who is infatuated by literature, takes over the role of librarian for Block 31 in Auschwitz. She takes care of the books as if they were her own children. She fixes them when other kids are too rough on them, and listens to the wisdom that each of the eight novels has to share. Dita is a loyal servant to the children and teachers of Block 31, bringing books to them every day until Block 31 was shut down.

Despite constant death surrounding her, Dita never...