A review by sc104906
Mapping the Bones by Jane Yolen
4.0
I received this through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Told from dual perspectives, siblings, Chaim and Gittel, this is a historical retell of Hansel and Grettel with the backdrop of the Holocaust. Chaim and his family are living in a Jewish ghetto, barely getting by, like many of their neighbors. Shortly after they are forced to live with a family of strangers, word begins to spread through the ghetto that families will be sent to the concentration camps. Both families attempt to escape, however, they soon face challenges and ultimately sent to a work camp. The siblings struggle to survive and reunite with their families.
This was a difficult book, but it was well-done. The retell was unique and integrated well. I appreciated the inclusion of Jewish culture, which in this book was done on a level that typically isn't seen. I connected to the characters, through their words which were beautiful. This novel was wonderful yet tough.
Told from dual perspectives, siblings, Chaim and Gittel, this is a historical retell of Hansel and Grettel with the backdrop of the Holocaust. Chaim and his family are living in a Jewish ghetto, barely getting by, like many of their neighbors. Shortly after they are forced to live with a family of strangers, word begins to spread through the ghetto that families will be sent to the concentration camps. Both families attempt to escape, however, they soon face challenges and ultimately sent to a work camp. The siblings struggle to survive and reunite with their families.
This was a difficult book, but it was well-done. The retell was unique and integrated well. I appreciated the inclusion of Jewish culture, which in this book was done on a level that typically isn't seen. I connected to the characters, through their words which were beautiful. This novel was wonderful yet tough.