Simon's Escape

February 1, 2011

Gr 5-7-In this mediocre novel, a Jewish boy survives the German invasion of Poland, the removal of the Jews to the Warsaw Ghetto, the death of his entire family, and a dangerous and unlikely escape to the woods. It has a purposeful narrative and dialogue that is often didactic and stilted. Introducing children to the events of the Holocaust is difficult primarily because it was so horrific, and allowing unaware readers to imagine that this book is an "Adventure" story is irresponsible. Considering how many fine memoirs and works of juvenile fiction are available to young people on the topic, this book is barely additional at best.-Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library

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