After the War [Hardcover]

Carol Matas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1997

The unforgettable story of Ruth, a Jewish teenager who survives World War II and then embarks on a long and dangerous journey that leads her to a new land and a new life.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-10?Matas's historical novel shows that the persecution of Europe's Jewish population did not end with their liberation from the Nazi death camps. She tells the story of Ruth, 15, who makes her way back from Buchenwald to her Polish homeland to discover that Jews are still viewed by others with suspicion and hatred. Desperate and alone, she meets Saul, who persuades her to join a group of refugees planning to emigrate to Palestine. Historically, the book is accurate and references to actual events are interwoven neatly into the narrative. The author does oversimplify the position of the British and their decision to stop Jewish immigration to Palestine, and this is a definite weakness. Nonetheless, the story is strong and compelling and the use of descriptive language creates a mood of desperation and hope combined with a commitment to survival. The use of flashbacks is effective and serves to sustain the mood as well as add depth to Ruth's character. After the War is a thought-provoking novel that offers great insight into the current problems in the Middle East and the passion with which the Jewish people will fight to protect what they perceive to be rightfully theirs.?Robyn Nicoline Ryan, Otterville Public School, Ontario
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Carol Matas is the award-winning author of many bestselling novels for young people, including Daniel's Story, Cloning Miranda, Rebecca, and The War Within. She has received the Jewish Book Award (twice), the Geoffrey Bilson Award, and two nominations for the Governor General's Award. She lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 133 pages
• Publisher: Perfection Learning (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0780778650
• ISBN-13: 978-0780778658
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,137,254 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The rebirth of a Holocaust child, July 26, 2000

By 

Brenda Motomura (Richmond, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: After the War (Hardcover)

By concentrating on one group of children who have survived the Holocaust, Matas' treatment of a painful subject is narrow enough for a reader to grasp an emotionally harrowing subject. Fourteen year old Ruth has no hope and is frozen in despair, until she is asked to help get orphans to Palestine, via an underground movement. The children are heart-rendering - they know how to be perfectly quiet and to do without food, warmth or shelter, but they do not know how to play or study. They melt Ruth's heart and give her a reason to live. The book is short, taunt, and thrilling.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Engaging Story, but Weak Delivery, April 1, 2004

By 

John Gravitt (Cary, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: After the War (Hardcover)

Ruth Mendenberg survives Auschwitz concentration camp, but has nothing to live for with the death of 80 family members. Then she meets Saul, a Zionist Brichah organizer, who sends her on an assignment that changes her life. She, along with a few other Zionist leaders, must take a group of 20 children from Poland to the new Palestine.

The simple writing style, while appropriate for a young audience, may bore older audiences. The book is written in the present tense which causes the author's voice to resemble journal entries. The reader must listen to the narrator summarize the story.

This exciting story will attract middle school students, but lacks the depth that older audiences require. The beginning of the story lacked conflict and character development. Ruth's meeting with the Zionist group is very shallow with, other than Nate, Miriam, and Saul, all the characters in the group dropping out of the story.

Other than the slow start and the inherent weakness of writing in the first person, I think After the War is a good read. It was an aspect of post WWII life I new nothing about.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars After the War, March 7, 2006

By 

Dr. Seuss (Hungary) - See all my reviews

This review is from: After the War (Mass Market Paperback)

This book is about a girl named Ruth. She returns to her home town after WWII expecting to find some of her family members. Instead she finds a guy named Saul who wants her to lead a group of 20 orphans to Palestine. She accepts and the adventure begins. By reading this book you learn about what children who were in the Holocaust had to go through and what is was like trying to make the journey to Palestine as illegal immigrants. Ruth goes through many adventures and finally learns to show her true feelings.

I liked this book because it taught me what really happened to Jews during WWII and how they escaped. I always learned that Hitler just killed Jews I didn't know how he did it or what the Jewish society went through.