ABML Blog #2 (Megan Brody)

The second reading section of All But My Life made me want to continue with the suspense at the end of each chapter. Would everything be okay in the camp Gerda worked in? Who would survive the horrific death march? Thankfully all my questions were answered, but I was completely heartbroken. I thought that Gerda's life couldn't get much worse after being separated from her family and then being put into a work camp, for I suspected that some major life-threatening situation would occur. I was wrong (for the most part). Luckily Gerda and her friend, Ilse, got placed into a more organized work camp. As Gerda stayed in the work camp, I felt content thinking that everything would be okay for awhile. She made many new friends and her hope gave me hope that her future would be bright. Once Frau Kugler told the girls at the work camp that they were going to be herded on a death march, my hope was shattered. I knew that Gerda would survive, but what about the other innocent girls? Through the death march, Gerda grew tired but stayed strong for her friends. Thank God that her father made her wear those snow boots the day she left with her mother. Unfortunately, Ilse, Suse, and Liesel all died, along with many others, but I felt deep down inside that their deaths were scapegoats for Gerda. When Kurt entered Gerda's life when he liberated her, I was positive that they would be together forever. They were compatible from their very first words. I am happy that Gerda has had a successful life from reading her epilogue. I hope for the best for her and her family and I hope that she can continue to inform the world that the inhumane acts of the Nazis should NEVER happen again.