“But why did they do it? Darling boy, this is the hardest question of all. I cannot answer it.”

This book provides a unique and important perspective on the persecution of the Roma people during the Porajmos (Roma Holocaust) —a narrative that has frequently been overlooked in historical accounts. It was published in a bilingual edition (Swedish / Kaldarash Romani), and also translated into English and Romani languages.

The book is about Sofia's whole life, from her early years spent in a Roma family from Poland to her latter years as a grandmother. It brings up difficulties that many other Genocide survivors have, such as how to cope with the pain and memories of dehumanization and whether or not to share one's own narrative of survival and suffering. The story begins with Sofia's childhood in a Roma community, which is abruptly shattered when she is deported to Auschwitz. In the concentration camp, she was marked with the prisoner number Z-4515, tattooed on her left arm, where "Z" stands for “Zigeuner”, the German word for “Gypsy”. 

Through the use of vivid illustrations and engaging narrative, the book captures her unbearable experiences in the concentration camp and their everyday life there, the loss of her family, escape and her eventual rescue by the Swedish Red Cross's White Buses initiative. Despite the horrifying experience, the story is ultimately one of survival and hope, highlighting Sofia's resilience and the significance of remembering and keeping such stories alive.

"Sofia Z-4515" is not just a historical account but also a work of art and activism. It received recognition for its contributions to Holocaus\Porajmos education, particularly regarding the Porajmos, a topic that remains underrepresented. It also provides a broader historical perspective on the Roma people's experiences during World War II. Some of the editions have Professor Adrian Marsh's foreword that dives into the history of Roma communities in Britain during the war, offering a new angle for studying Nazi Germany and the Genocides. The book got a praise from critics, including winning the Artists Against Nazism award, which acknowledges its role in combating hate through education and remembrance.

The novel is accessible to younger audiences, with a focus age of 12 and up, making it a valuable educational tool for introducing this complex history to younger generations. This is the book we ought to offer our kids. Yes, it's heart-breaking, but everyone needs to know this in order to ensure that it never happens to Roma or anybody else again.