fern

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lebo

The Boy in the Back
: A True Story of Survival in Auschwitz and Mauthausen

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About fern

Fern Lebo is an author, speaker, and lifelong storyteller whose work bridges history, memory and meaning. Her latest book, The Boy in the Back, gives voice to Jan Blumenstein, a Holocaust survivor who, after 80 years of silence, entrusted her to share his testimony with the world. Fern’s writing spans genres and audiences. She has written children’s poetry included in school books around the world, My Soul’s Delight, love poems dedicated to her husband, a variety of business books and articles, and contributions to newspapers and such as Cosmopolitan and Beauty Digest as well as corporate publications and materials. Boy in the Back Book

She is also co-author of The Talent Revolution, the definitive guide to maximizing workforce value, published by University of Toronto Press. It’s an updated, paperback version of the earlier edition that challenges outdated workplace models and dismantles ageist myths, champions inclusion, and provides strategies for leveraging talent at every stage of life.

About Fern

Fern Lebo is an author, speaker, and lifelong storyteller whose work bridges history, memory and meaning. Her latest book is The Boy in the Back, published by Amsterdam Publishers. It gives voice to Jan Blumenstein, a Holocaust survivor who, after 80 years of silence, entrusted her to share his testimony with the world. She is also co-author of The Talent Revolution, the definitive guide to maximizing workforce value, published by University of Toronto Press.
Trained as a psychiatric occupational therapist, Fern began her career helping individuals rebuild their lives with resilience and dignity. She later brought those same skills into the corporate world, founding and leading a highly successful training company that empowered professionals and organizations to lead and thrive.
Her writing spans genres and audiences. She has written children’s poetry included in school books around the world, My Soul’s Delight, love poems dedicated to her husband, a variety of business books and articles, and contributions to newspapers and magazines, such as Cosmopolitan and Beauty Digest as well as corporate publications and materials.

https://fernlebo.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_2383.mp4Today, she devotes her voice to ensuring that stories of survival and courage are not forgotten. When she isn’t writing or speaking, she’s is probably painting or potting or playing the piano. She lives in Canada and enjoys time with her husband, children, and grandchildren. Retired from the hectic corporate scene, Fern continues to write, teach, and advocate for remembrance, justice, and hope.

I like to travel. I like to entertain, and I love to eat. But best of all, I like to write. I always have. Whether it’s letter, a book or poetry, when I’m tapping on my keys, I’m in my sweet spot.
I actually wrote my first novel in seventh grade. It was a Nancy Drew mystery (I hope Carolyn Keene will forgive me) and my friends devoured it with pleasure–a major thrill for a twelve-year old. By the time I was sixteen, I had settled on confession stories as my entrée into the publishing world. Since I had nothing to confess, I became a big fan of the ellipsis. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a publisher who was as fond of that punctuation as I was–and so I collected a pile of rejection slips. I pinned those slips to my bedroom curtains and as they fluttered in the breeze, well…
My biggest success was The Fitness Myth—a Canadian best seller with 5 lives under 5 different imprints in the U.S. and abroad. My proudest accomplishments are my kids’ poetry scattered in schoolbook readers across the globe, and my book of poetry: My Soul’s Delight. The publisher thought it was too good not to publish, but when it came to distribution, I was on my own. I decided to forget about distribution & give it to friends. If you want to read it, I suppose you could email me. I have a box of them in the basement.
And now there’s The Boy in the Back; It’s a riveting testimony and the best thing I’ve ever written.

it with pleasure–a major thrill for a twelve-year old. By the time I was sixteen, I had settled on confession stories as my entrée into the publishing world. Since I had nothing to confess, I became a big fan of the ellipsis. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a publisher who was as fond of that punctuation as I was–and so I collected a pile of rejection slips. I pinned those slips to my bedroom curtains and as they fluttered in the breeze, well…
My biggest success was The Fitness Myth—a Canadian best seller with 5 lives under 5 different imprints in the U.S. and abroad. My proudest accomplishments are my kids’ poetry scattered in schoolbook readers across the globe, and my book of poetry: My Soul’s Delight. The publisher thought it was too good not to publish, but when it came to distribution, I was on my own. I decided to forget about distribution & give it to friends. If you want to read it, I suppose you could email me. I have a box of them in the basement.
And now there’s The Boy in the Back; It’s a riveting testimony and the best thing I’ve ever written.

Featured books

Fern’s latest books mark the culmination of a lifelong love of writing and storytelling. They bring together her experience, her voice, and her passion for preserving stories that must be heard. Boy in the Back

THE BOY IN THE BACK

The Boy in the Back is a gripping and unforgettable true narrative of survival, courage, and resilience published by Amsterdam Publishers. On his sixteenth birthday, Jan Blumenstein was forced onto a Nazi train bound for Auschwitz, where he endured unthinkable horrors and unimaginable loss. He smelled the stench of burning flesh, brushed the ashes from his eyes, and faced the daily presence of death—yet somehow found the will and the cunning to survive. For decades, he remained silent—until, at ninety-six, he broke his silence to ensure the world would never forget.
This beautifully written memoir is more than a testimony of one man’s survival; it is a universal story of the human spirit’s capacity to endure and rebuild. It draws readers into Jan’s harrowing journey with honesty and clarity, making it hard to put down and impossible to forget.
At a time when antisemitism is once again on the rise, The Boy in the Back is both a warning and a call to vigilance. The chilling parallels between today and the slide of Germany in the late 1930s remind us why telling these stories matters—not only to honor those who were lost, but to protect the future.
One boy’s nightmare. One man’s testimony. One book you’ll never forget.

Amsterdam Publisher

Amsterdam Publisher

THE TALENT REVOLUTION

The Talent Revolution, co-authored by Lisa Taylor and Fern Lebo and published by the University of Toronto Press, challenges outdated ideas about age, work, and retirement. With the workforce shifting dramatically, this groundbreaking book shows how organizations can thrive by embracing older workers, dismantling ageist myths, and creating flexible, intergenerational workplaces.
Rather than treating aging talent as a liability, Taylor and Lebo demonstrate how to unlock its potential as a powerful competitive advantage. They provide leaders, HR professionals, and policy makers with practical strategies to redesign outdated systems, tap into the skills of experienced employees, and foster workplaces where every generation can contribute fully.
In an era defined by demographic change, The Talent Revolution is both a call to action and a practical guide for building resilient, diverse organizations. It reframes the conversation about aging and work, proving that talent has no expiry date—and that the future of business depends on it

Talent Revolution Book Image

What people are saying

Readers are calling The Boy in the Back gripping, powerful, and impossible to forget. Many say it’s not just a book you read, but a story that stays with you long after the final page.

‘’I’ve just finished your remarkable, beautiful, wildly important book. I cannot tell you how moved I have been on this journey. What an incredible accomplishment!’’
Dr. Lesley Shore, Emerita Chair, Facing History and Ourselves Canada

‘’This memoir captures the extraordinary survival of Jan Blumenstein, who endured the Nazi camps by blending into the background while holding on to his will to live. Lebo’s vivid narration brings to life the quiet strength of a teenager who turned invisibility into a shield against an unimaginable system of brutality. At once harrowing and deeply human, this book preserves a voice that ensures memory and truth are not lost to time.’’
Declan Dunn, founder of Remember.org

‘’This remarkable memoir brings a survivor’s story to life with honesty, grace and emotional depth. It’s a powerful reminder of what was endured—and what must never be forgotten. By connecting past atrocities to the persistence of antisemitism today, the book speaks urgently to our time. It is not just another holocaust story.’’ Esther Geva, Professor, Ontario Institute of Studies in Education, University of Toronto

I’ve just finished your remarkable, beautiful, wildly important book. I cannot tell you how moved I have been on this journey. What an incredible accomplishment!Dr. Lesley Shore, Emerita Chair, Facing History and Ourselves Canada

This memoir captures the extraordinary survival of Jan Blumenstein, who endured the Nazi camps by blending into the background while holding on to his will to live. Lebo’s vivid narration brings to life the quiet strength of a teenager who turned invisibility into a shield against an unimaginable system of brutality. At once harrowing and deeply human, this book preserves a voice that ensures memory and truth are not lost to time. Declan Dunn, founder of Remember.org

Events

In addition to keynote speaking, Fern is delighted to meet with book clubs, community groups, and readers of all kinds. She welcomes opportunities to read from her work, answer questions, and sign books, creating meaningful connections with those who engage with her stories. These smaller events are often the most personal and rewarding, offering space for dialogue, reflection, and shared experience.

EVENTS

November 10

Bernard Betel Centre Book Talk at 1

November 15

London Ontario book club

April 9

Habonim, book talk

April 14

Holy Blossom Temple, book talk

April 21

Bernard Betel Centre Book Talk at 10:30

October 20,

Lower Village Gate book club

November 4,

The Talent Revolution book launch

November,

Forest Hill Village coffee klatch reading

November 15,

London Ontario book
club

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ORDER NOW!

Discover a story that will stay with you long after the last page. He hid his tattoo his entire life. Now he reveals the story behind it. Read The Boy in the Back, a powerful memoir of survival, cunning, and courage. Hard to put down. Impossible to forget. Join readers who are inspired and moved. Order your copy today and remember!

ORDER NOW!

The updated paperback edition of The Talent Revolution is here, and getting rave reviews. Fern and Lisa offer fresh insights into the future of work and leadership. Exploding commonly held ageist beliefs and packed with practical strategies, this book is a must-read for leaders, innovators, and anyone seeking to make a real impact. Order your copy today and transform the way you think about talent.

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