August 10, 2015
Toward the end of WWII, nine-year-old Adam accompanies his mother from the ghetto in which they live to the edge of the forest, where she leaves him, saying, “Don’t be afraid. You know our forest very well.” There, he meets his classmate Thomas, also left by his mother, and suggests they wait together. Days turn into weeks and months, and seasons change; the boys build a nest in a tree, forage for fruit, and have philosophical conversations about their parents, animals, dreams (“Was it a clear dream, or a mixed-up one?”), fitting in with others, and God. Mina, another classmate living with a peasant family, leaves them food, but they can’t thank her because “She’s living a hidden life now.” Each chapter begins with Dumas’s (The Story of Edward) spidery ink drawings, washed with pale blues and greens, which suggest a liminal state of being. Based on Appelfeld’s (The Conversion) own childhood, this simple yet profound tale conveys the astonishing power of thoughtful friendship to inspire generosity, compassion, and courage enough to withstand unthinkable horrors. Ages 8–12.
Starred review from August 1, 2015
Two Jewish boys are caught up in the horrors of Nazi persecution. The story opens when 9-year-olds Adam and Thomas are each brought to a deep forest and left there with meager supplies. The boys find each other and soon realize that they will be in hiding for a very long time. Practical, resourceful Adam is very familiar with the forest, and quiet, studious Thomas learns to respect him and follow his lead. In order to survive hunger and cold and to avoid capture, they establish a hideaway in a tall tree and forage for food and water. From their aerie they witness Nazis chasing and shooting at other fugitives, and the boys give help when they can. There are a few miracles. Adam's dog, Miro, finds them bearing a note from his mother. Mina, a schoolmate now in hiding on a farm, bravely brings them food, as does Sergei, a peasant who becomes another helper. Throughout these harrowing ordeals, the children speak and act as adults, comparing philosophies and religion, encouraging each other, trying to comprehend the incomprehensible. With this story, Appelfeld recounts a version of his own history in descriptive detail, conveying suffering and lasting damage without self-pity. The fablelike tale ends without concluding; it is obvious that there is more uncertainty, fear, and hope to come. Finished, full-color illustrations not seen. Deeply moving and powerful: unforgettable. (Historical fiction. 10-18)
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July 1, 2015
Gr 4-6-Originally published in France, this story is about two Jewish boys who have been left in the woods near their home by their mothers who must return to the ghetto. The boys survive by eating berries, foraging for food, and milking cows for fresh milk. Readers get a sense of the larger context of World War II through some minor characters, who make appearances as runaways or fugitives. There are several allusions to spiritual beliefs, but they are not overt. Dialogue is lyrical and a bit dreamlike, and the characters are sympathetic. The sentence structure and vocabulary are simplistic. Dumas's illustrations add to the dreamlike quality of the text. VERDICT An fine addition to elementary and middle school libraries looking for tender friendship and survival stories set during the second World War.-Melissa Etheridge, Siegel Middle School, TN
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