Title: After the War
Author: Carol Matas
Major Themes: Israel, Zionism, Poland, World War II, Jewish History, Jewish Holocaust
Synopsis: After World War II, Ruth thought she was safe—and then discovered that anti-Semetism was still alive and active.
As I have mentioned in a number of reviews now, several years ago, I purchased a stack of books in Sonlight Curriculum’s annual clearance sale. Actually, I purchase a stack of books that way practically every year! Often, I don’t get around to reading those books for a long time. I have been noticing After the War every year when I inventory our library, and in between, when I have to shift books around to make room for other books. Every time I see it, I think I want to read this one! Finally, it fit a prompt in this year’s Read Your Bookshelf Challenge. The prompt was “time,” so the word “after” in the title fit perfectly.
Publisher’s description:
“Didn’t the gas ovens finish you all off?” is the response that meets Ruth Mendenberg when she returns to her village in Poland after the liberation of Buchenwald at the end of World War II. Her entire family wiped out in the Holocaust, the fifteen-year-old girl has nowhere to go.
Members of the underground organization Brichah find her, and she joins them in their dangerous quest to smuggle illegal immigrants to Palestine. Ruth risks her life to help lead a group of children on a daring journey over half a continent and across the sea to Eretz Israel, using secret routes and forged documents—and sheer force of will.
This adventure will touch readers, who will marvel at the resources and inner strength of mere children helping other children to find a place in this world in which they can belong. Carol Matas, one of the foremost authors of historical fiction, brings the desperation and passion of this remarkable journey to life.
My thoughts:
This small book doesn’t take long to read, but it sure packs a punch. I have read many books about the Holocaust and what happened in the concentration camps—but what happened next? Where did the survivors go? What did they do? After the War depicts what awaited some Jewish young people who survived.
This is not a pleasant, feel-good story. It is a story of cruelty and prejudice, and love and care at the same time. It is a story of the resilience of the human spirit and how some who have experienced horror and cruelty will turn their life to helping others to rebuild their lives. At the same time, it is a story of how some people will turn their backs on the hurting and try to destroy them, just because they are different.
I found the story of how the Zionists worked to colonize Palestine with Jewish people in the years immediately after the war quite interesting. If you are interested in the history of Israel, this is a must-read. For anyone under the age of 15, though, I would say that parental guidance would be a good idea (see warnings).
WARNING: There are several instances where people try to kill the Jews who have survived the Holocaust. Memories of the death camps pop up throughout the story. Two teenagers hug and kiss. There is a discussion of how God likely doesn’t exist, or at least doesn’t care about people. There is lying and forging of papers.
Age levels:
Listening Level—Ages 12 – 15
Reading Independently—Ages 12 – 15, 15 and Above
Links to buy this book:
Amazon: Hardcover | Mass Market Paperback
AbeBooks: View Choices on AbeBooks.com
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