Ten Marks and a Train Ticket is the true story of Benno (9) and Heinz (13), two brothers who were put on a train in 1939 Berlin, by their parents, as a desperate gesture to send them to safety, away from Nazi Germany.  This first-person narrative, told by Benno, chronicles their heartbreaking struggle to survive their travels across a continent on the brink of war, and the pain they confronted when learning of the loss of their parents and young brother, Charlie, at Aushwitz. 

     Our class put together a series of questions we were left with, after reading and discussing the book.  We're very fortunate as Benno graciously agreed to respond to our questions, as posted below. 

Grade 7/8 Asks:

1. You and your brother, Heinz, were pulled out of an orphange along with six other boys.  Shortly after, the Nazis destroyed

    the orphanage and all were killed. Why were you and Heinz two of the eight boys chosen to leave the orphanage? Why

    didn’t any girls go?　

Benno:  There were no girls in the orphanage and why we were chosen I still do not know.

2. Who do you think the stranger was that offered to give you and your brother a ride at the train station?

Benno:  We had no idea but we thought he was a representative of the Jewish community in Holland. 

3. Have you ever gone back to England or Holland to visit the places you stayed at? (e.g. the hostel, Emmakinderhous) Do you still have contact with any people you met there?

Benno:  Yes, I have gone back to England and Holland, however Emmakinderhous has been demolished.  I do keep in touch with one person who was with me in Holland and he now lives in New York. 

4. Did any of your extended family members survive the Holocaust (aunts, uncles, cousins) in Berlin?

Benno:  No, none of my family survived in Berlin.

5. Is it hard to retell your story?

Benno:  Yes, it is hard at times because it brings back memories of a very difficult time in my life. 

6. If you could go back in time and see your parents, what would you say to them?

Benno:  They saved my life by sending us away and perhaps they should have sent Charlie with us, but he was only 2 years old and may not have survived.  I do not know.