The Devil Arithmetic Puffin Modern Classics: A Journey Through History and the Holocaust

The Devil Arithmetic by Jane Yolen is a powerful and moving novel that tells the story of a young girl who is sent back in time to experience the horrors of the Holocaust. First published in 1988, the novel has since become a classic of young adult literature and is widely taught in schools around the world.

The Devil's Arithmetic (Puffin Modern Classics)

by Jane Yolen

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1367 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	175 pages

FREE

The novel's protagonist, Hannah Stern, is a 12-year-old Jewish girl living in New York City in 1942. Hannah is a bright and inquisitive girl, but she is also somewhat sheltered and unaware of the dangers that the world holds. One day, Hannah's class is visited by a Holocaust survivor named Rivka. Rivka's story deeply affects Hannah, and she begins to wonder what it would be like to experience the Holocaust firsthand.

Hannah's wish is soon granted when she is transported back in time to Poland in 1942. Hannah witnesses the horrors of the Holocaust firsthand, and she experiences the pain and suffering of the Jewish people. She also learns about the courage and resilience of the human spirit.

The Devil Arithmetic is a powerful and moving novel that tells an important story about the Holocaust. The novel is a reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust, but it is also a story of hope and redemption. Hannah's journey through time is a reminder that we must never forget the past, and that we must always fight against intolerance and hatred.

Themes

The Devil Arithmetic explores a number of important themes, including:

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The Holocaust: The novel provides a firsthand account of the horrors of the Holocaust. Hannah witnesses the mass murder of the Jewish people, and she experiences the pain and suffering of the victims. The novel is a powerful reminder of the importance of remembering the Holocaust and fighting against all forms of intolerance and hatred.

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Identity: Hannah's journey through time forces her to confront her own identity. She is a Jewish girl living in a Christian world, and she must come to terms with her own beliefs and values. The novel explores the importance of understanding and embracing one's own identity.

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Courage: Hannah's journey through time is a journey of courage. She witnesses the horrors of the Holocaust, but she never gives up hope. She continues to fight for her own survival, and she helps others to survive as well. The novel is a reminder that courage is essential in the face of adversity.

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Hope: The Devil Arithmetic is a story of hope. Despite the horrors of the Holocaust, Hannah never gives up hope. She believes that she and her people will survive, and she works to make that happen. The novel is a reminder that hope is always possible, even in the darkest of times.

Characters

The Devil Arithmetic features a number of well-developed and memorable characters. The novel's protagonist, Hannah Stern, is a complex and sympathetic character. She is a bright and inquisitive girl, but she is also somewhat sheltered and unaware of the dangers that the world holds. Hannah's journey through time is a journey of growth and self-discovery. She learns about the horrors of the Holocaust, but she also learns about the courage and resilience of the human spirit.

Other important characters in the novel include:

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Rivka: A Holocaust survivor who visits Hannah's class and tells her story. Rivka's story deeply affects Hannah, and she begins to wonder what it would be like to experience the Holocaust firsthand.

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Shmuel: A young Jewish boy who Hannah meets in Poland. Shmuel is a kind and compassionate boy, and he helps Hannah to survive the Holocaust. He is a symbol of hope and resilience.

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Herr Direktor: The cruel and sadistic commandant of the concentration camp where Hannah is imprisoned. Herr Direktor is a symbol of the evil that was responsible for the Holocaust.

Historical Context

The Devil Arithmetic is set against the backdrop of the Holocaust. The Holocaust was the systematic genocide of the Jewish people by the Nazis during World War II. The Nazis killed approximately six million Jews, including one million children. The Holocaust was one of the darkest chapters in human history, and it is important to remember the victims and to fight against all forms of intolerance and hatred.

The Devil Arithmetic provides a firsthand account of the horrors of the Holocaust. Hannah witnesses the mass murder of the Jewish people, and she experiences the pain and suffering of the victims. The novel is a powerful reminder of the importance of remembering the Holocaust and fighting against all forms of intolerance and hatred.

Impact

The Devil Arithmetic has had a profound impact on readers of all ages. The novel has been praised for its powerful storytelling, its well-developed characters, and its important message about the Holocaust. The novel has been translated into more than 20 languages and has won numerous awards, including the National Jewish Book Award and the Newbery Medal.

The Devil Arithmetic is a valuable resource for teaching about the Holocaust. The novel provides a firsthand account of the horrors of the Holocaust, and it can help students to understand the impact of the Holocaust on the lives of individual victims. The novel can also help students to develop a sense of empathy and compassion for the victims of the Holocaust.

The Devil Arithmetic is a powerful and moving novel that tells an important story about the Holocaust. The novel is a reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust, but it is also a story of hope and redemption. Hannah's journey through time is a reminder that we must never forget the past, and that we must always fight against intolerance and hatred.

The Devil's Arithmetic (Puffin Modern Classics)

by Jane Yolen

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1367 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	175 pages

FREE