Daniel's Story by Carol Matas was written in 1993.  It is a fictionalization of one young man's life as he grows up under the Nazi occupation during World War II. Its stark realism has earned it the honor of an exhibit at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum located in Washington, D.C.

The first main character is Daniel, the narrator of the story.  He is 14-years-old at the start of the story.  Through flashbacks, we view him as young as six.  By the end of the story, he has progressed to 18 years of age. 

Though we meet all of his family members, Erika is the second main character. She is Daniel's younger sister.  One of her most memorable contributions is being the youngest violinist in the orchestra at Lodz.  It is her spirit which keeps the family "alive".

The final main character is Rosa.  She and Daniel meet in the Lodz Ghetto. The majority of her "appearances" throughout the story are strictly in Daniel's memories, until the end when they are reunited.