2026 International Book Award (IBA) for Nonfiction: Narrative.
2026 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY) Silver Medal in the Autobiography/Memoir II (Coming of Age/Family Legacy) category.
After his mother's death, Charlie Scheidt discovered a trove of historic documents that set him on a decade-long journey to uncover his family's hidden past during the Holocaust. Joined by Kat Rohrer, the granddaughter of a Nazi officer, Scheidt embarked on a quest to trace his family's harrowing efforts to escape from Nazi-occupied Europe. As they investigated, they uncovered stories of survival and loss. Their journey takes them across generations and continents, revealing a legacy of love, loss, and resilience. Grappling with questions about the long-lasting effects of inherited trauma, the book asks whether it is possible to break free of a familial cycle. This memoir, rooted in his family's escape and the lasting trauma that followed, is a powerful reflection on history's enduring scars, the importance of remembrance, and healing across generations.
