The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

In 1942, Lale agrees to be the member of his Jewish family handed over to the German government, so that the rest of his family is not sent to a concentration camp. Lale is sent from his home in Slovakia to Auschwitz. Lale speaks many languages, which gives him the advantage of knowing more about what's going on around the camp. Soon, he gets a job as the tattooist responsible for placing ID numbers to prisoners' arms, and this allows him his own room, more food, and the ability to move a little more freely around Auschwitz and Birkenau. It does not shield him, however, from the daily horror, violence, and inhumanity that permeates the camp. Lale's bright spot and hope is meeting Gita, a young woman in the camp who is also from Slovakia. They fall in love and try to see each other weekly. The Tattooist of Auschwitz is based on the true story of Lale, with whom author Morris became friends, and who, over time, allowed her to interview him about his experiences.