The Devil's Arithmetic

The Devil’s Arithmetic

Yolen, J. (1988). The devil's arithmetic. New York, NY: Viking Penguin

Age Level: 10 and up

Genre:  This is Modern Fantasy

 

Summary:

Hannah is tired of hearing her family speak about the Holocaust and her family’s involvement in it. During every Jewish holiday Hannah is forced to hear the same stories. She wonders why she must hear them. During Seder she is asked to open the door to welcome the prophet Elijah into the home (a tradition done at every Seder). When she opens the door she is transported to a different time and place. She is in Poland during the Holocaust. Her new experiences teach Hannah a lesson she will never forget. 

Reflection:

We must not forget the past. If we forget it, we may not learn from it. That was one of th4 most important lessons I learned from this novel.

I was immediately drawn to this book because I have a fascination with the Holocaust and Jewish history. I myself am not Jewish but have always been dumbfounded that something like the Holocaust could take place. The book itself starts very slowly and does not pick up steam until chapter 4. The earlier chapters set up the scene allowing the reader to feel Hannah’s boredom with the family’s stories. This becomes important towards the end of the book.

            The novel is categorized as modern fantasy because the main character’s time travel back in time. Because time travel does not exist, it is fantasy. Some might feel as though it is historical fiction because it deals with the Holocaust. However, the time travel aspect makes it fantasy.

            The story’s setting is integral because the story would not be the same in another setting. The story has to take place in concentration camps for it to make sense. The imagery the author use to describe the conditions of the concentration camp gave this novel emotion. I felt the pain Hannah was feeling.

            The Devil's Arithmetic would be great to use to introduce the concept of the Holocaust and the Jewish culture to students. It has just enough action to keep the reader’s attention. I enjoyed reading this novel!