Escape to the Forest: Based on a True Story of the Holocaust

Escape to the Forest, beginning in Poland just after the Russian invasion in September 1939, is an historical novel for children of 9 or more. As Jews fled to Lida from Nazi Germany and the German-controlled areas of Poland, Sarah's Jewish family hides refugees until its own fate becomes questionable as well. The Russians are cruel, and often send Jews to Siberia. They capture one of Sarah's new friends as well. Then the Nazis begin bombing, and there are casualties. In the summer 1941, the Nazis invade in earnest, and Russians, themselves scared for their lives, begin to organize partisan groups to fight from the forests. Sarah's family is ordered into a ghetto, and in September 1943, the Nazis begin the "liquidation"--wholesale transport and murder of Jews. At that point, Sarah's family must make some serious choices. They choose life. This is a great way to introduce children to the horrors of the Holocaust, through the eyes of one of its survivors.

The book is called Escape to the forest. The author is Ruth Yaffe Radin. The main character is Sarah and her family. The story starts in the fall of 1939 in Russia. Sarah is very nice she never talked back. She listened to everything her parents told her. Sarah has blond hair that is straight. Sarah is from Russia, and she is Jewish. Sarah isn't shot or tall she is like regular size for her age. She is able to crawl so she can't be fat. She has an older brother. He works, and makes locks. Sarah is 10 years old. One night some lady came to their house and asked if she could stay because she was lonely. The problem is that a war is going on, and they are bombing a lot. They are trying to get to Bielsi's so they can be safe. Their town is surrounded by barbwire, and it's hard for them to escape. They have to evacuate most of the buildings they lived in. My favorite part of the story is when the bombing hit. I liked that because it was exciting to me. The lady that came to their house worked too. I rate this book 5 stars. I rated it 5 stars because it was very fabulous. My opinion of the author is the author could write more about the lady and family. He needs to tell me the last name of the family. I would recommend this book to a friend. This book is not the best but it is good. This book could probably be the best book I read this year.

Escape to the Forest is a compelling novel for young readers 9 and up, that tells a tale of terror, hunger and hope as the Nazis invade Poland and forever change the lives of ten year old Sarah and her family. Based on a true story, Sarah's will to live and her determination to find her way to the forest where her brother and other Jews are sheltered makes the book impossible to put down.An important addition to the Holocaust collection.