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| Cover art retrieved from the book's record in worldcat |
Biography
Yolen, J. (1998). The Devil’s Arithmetic. New York: Puffin Books
Summary
Hannah resents being forced to celebrate the Passover Seder and hearing about the traditions of her Jewish heritage. Forced to attend the yearly celebration at her Aunt Ava’s house, she makes light of the traditions until she is chosen symbolically to open the door to greet the profit Elijah. Once the door is opened, she steps through into 1940s Poland where she becomes Chaya, meets Rivkah, experiences the horrors of the concentration camps before waking in the present time, surrounded by her family.
My Impression
This was a hard book to read and an even harder movie to watch. While the author was not 100% accurate in the details, it described the hardships of those who forced into the concentration camps close enough. Hannah’s behavior at the beginning of the book is similar to how many teenagers feel about the past. I’ve heard all too often kids say, it happened so long ago, it doesn’t matter anymore.
Reviews/Awards
Phoenix Award (Honor Book), 2008
Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award, 1997
Sydney Taylor Book Awards, 1988
“This story does more than just remember the victims; it honors the survivors, and reminds that even in the midst of unspeakable sorrow, “the swallows still sing around the smokestacks.””—Betty Hicks (Children’s Literature)
Suggested Activities
This would be a great book to use for a discussion about the Holocaust.
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