Read Write York is hosting two events to mark Holocaust Memorial Day, which takes place on Saturday 27 January.

On Thursday 25 January, York library will be the venue for a lunchtime reading by John Boyne, author of 'The boy in the striped pyjamas'. The book is Boyne's account of the Holocaust from the perspective of a nine-year-old German boy called Bruno. His story is told in the style of a fable.

'The boy in the striped pyjamas' is Boyne's first book for younger readers and was long-listed for the 2006 Carnegie Medal, as well as being short-listed for the Ottakars Book Prize in 2006. Copies will be on sale at the library and tickets for the reading are priced at £3 or £2 for concessions. These can be bought in advance from the library helpdesk.

On Saturday 27 January, 'The fool of the Warsaw ghetto' will be performed in York's Guildhall. This piece was commissioned by the Hay on Wye Literature Festival in May 2006, and was written and produced by internationally-renowned storyteller Shonaleigh, together with musicians Jo Veal, Ilana Kravitz and Mike Layward.

'The fool of the Warsaw ghetto' is a fairytale from Auschwitz and tells the story of three children found in the ruined sewers of the ghetto. The performance has an interval and lasts for approximately one and a half hours. It is suitable for children over seven years, but will also appeal to adults. Tickets are priced at £5 for adults and £3 for YORKCard holders, but are free to accompanied children. They are available from the library helpdesk.