86 pages • 2 hours read
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In The Endless Steppe, 10-year-old Esther Rudomin's life is upended when she and her Jewish family are deported from Vilna, Poland, in 1941 by Russian soldiers to a Siberian village. Enduring harsh conditions and separation, they adapt through various trials, including manual labor in a gypsum mine, navigating school, and coping with family grief. After several years, as World War II ends, the family eventually prepares to return to a profoundly changed Poland. Sensitive topics include forced deportation, family separation, and oppression.
The Endless Steppe by Esther Hautzig is widely praised for its poignant storytelling and authentic depiction of life in exile. Reviews commend its vivid descriptions and emotional depth, though some found its pacing uneven. It's celebrated for its resilience themes and historical insights. Overall, it's a compelling read with minor pacing flaws.
Readers who appreciate historical memoirs, especially those similar to Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl and Red Scarf Girl, will enjoy The Endless Steppe by Esther Hautzig. It appeals to those interested in WWII stories, survival, and resilience, seen through the eyes of a young girl in a Siberian labor camp.
Lexile Level
880LHistory: World
Relationships
Education
WWII / World War II
Society: Community
Life/Time: Coming of Age
Relationships: Family
Russian Literature
Children's Literature
Education