Countless works of literature have addressed the many horrors and facets of the Shoah and World War II, but none quite like D. Dina Friedman’s “Escaping Into the Night.” The story’s unique setting in an encampment in the forests of Belorussia makes for an unusual and riveting Holocaust tale.
In the novel, 13-year-old Halina Rudowski just barely escapes from her dreadful Polish ghetto before it was to be evacuated. Halina, her close friend Batya and others from the ghetto try to make their way by murky, underground tunnels deep into one of the many surrounding Belorussian forests. Some succeed, but many more fail.
Halina, Batya and their new friend Reuven make it out of the tunnel and into the forest, but to their surprise, survival is just as difficult there as it was in the ghetto. In the forest, the group’s numbers are increasing and the food supply is diminishing. The situation becomes desperate and the community agrees to send Halina and Batya along with the men to search for food. During their expedition they find that they must be stronger than they had ever thought possible.
Friedman skillfully deals with serious issues and makes them accessible to young readers in ways not often seen. She achieves this through brisk, fast-paced storytelling, vivid dialogue, and by including compelling subplots that are relevant to young adult readers.
Unlike some novels for children, the characters in “Escaping into the Night” have complexity and depth. Halina worries whether she is as brave as others around her and asks herself, “Could I shoot a gun if I had to? Could I be as brave as my friends?” Also, it is quite easy for the reader to keep track of the characters, despite their unfamiliar names. Friedman achieves this by giving each character unique qualities and traits.
This book deals with many mature themes such as bravery, loss, survival, adolescent development and the meaning of family. In addition, several Jewish themes are expressed throughout the book: Jewish identity, faith and tradition. Its deep, emotional themes are just a part of what make this book powerful and exceptional.
“Escaping Into the Night” is an excellent book for one to read before their bar or bat mitzvah, as it instills a deep sense of Judaism and conveys how questioning beliefs and ideas is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition. Though several religiously observant characters are in the book, there are also just as many characters who are not observant and question the existence of God. Reuven, Halina’s friend who had recently suffered an extreme loss, says, “If there were a God, He would have never let this happen to us.”
The publishers recommend this book for 10- to 14-year-olds, but its content can be appreciated at any age. The book’s style, however, may appeal more to younger readers with its simply formed narrative and dialogue.
In contrast to the unspeakable devastation of the Shoah, “Escaping Into the Night” leaves the reader moved and inspired.
“Escaping into the Night” by D. Dina Friedman (208 pages, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, $15.95).