His favourite was the mare Sari, with whom he had grown up and trained to come to his whistle.
Now 14, Alexander is an inmate of Auschwitz concentration camp during World War 2. His father was sent to a labour camp and his mother and younger sister to other parts of the Auschwitz complex.
Alexander has seen and felt the cruelty of the Nazis and forces himself to shut off his emotions and to reject friendship.
He survives by not showing weakness even though all the inmates are starved and beaten.
When those having experience with horses are required, Alexander volunteers.
He is moved to Birkenau, assigned a pony to look after, then chosen to attend to the commander's magnificent stallion. Ages 13+.
- Rene Nol is a Dunedin reader
