I Am David (Paperback)

by Anne Holm (Author), L. W. Kingsland (Translator) "David lay quite still in the darkness, listening to the men's low muttering..." (more)
Key Phrases: important hostage, man hated, Signora Hartmann

Editorial Reviews

Review
"The single finest novel ever written for children of about ages 9 to 13."


(School Library Journal )

"Read it, read it!"

(The Horn Book )

"Extraordinary and unforgettable." (Chicago Tribune )

Product Description
David's entire twelve-year life has been spent in a grisly prison camp in Eastern Europe. He knows nothing of the outside world. But when he is given the chance to escape, he seizes it. With his vengeful enemies hot on his heels, David struggles to cope in this strange new world, where his only resources are a compass, a few crusts of bread, his two aching feet, and some vague advice to seek refuge in Denmark. Is that enough to survive?
David's extraordinary odyssey is dramatically chronicled in Anne Holm's classic about the meaning of freedom and the power of hope.


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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Paperbacks (January 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152051600
• ISBN-13: 978-0152051600
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,154 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #9 in	Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Issues > Homelessness & Poverty
  #34 in	Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Situations > Self-Esteem & Self-Respect > Fiction

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Characterisation, December 1, 2004

By	J. LEE - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Despite being brought up in a prison concentration camp surrounded only by adults who were deceptive or broken down, save for a few genuine inmates who seemed to be hiding a secret from him, twelve-year old David is a kind person by nature who feels a strong need to help people without asking for any returns, although he does not consciously know all the time that by doing so, he is performing acts of kindness.

After escaping from the concentration camp, David proceeds with his arduous journey towards the free country of Denmark always insisting on remaining true to himself, and keeping a clear conscience - simply put, he is determined to remain as he is and who he has always been - David.

The beauty of this story lies in the way that it does not directly tell of the courage of David, but simply portrays him as yet another human being who is confused about the happenings around him but who is nevertheless determined to attain complete freedom away from the evils of that concentration camp. In the process of describing the various events that he encounters, the author uses the contrast of the other characters' thoughts and feelings to fully reflect the implicit courage and beauty of David's noble character. This greatly increases the realism and credibility of David's character, and would in short, be one of the most remarkable strokes of bringing a character to life.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Must Read This Book, February 16, 2005

By	Stephen W. Barns (Ohio) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My 10 year old son and I read to one another and I chose "I am David" because it is being made into a movie. It is quite simply the best children's novel I have ever read.

The story follows David from his life in a eastern European concentration camp to freedom in Denmark. Along the way David learns self reliance, finds faith in the God of "the still waters and green pastures," discovers love, compasion and friendship. Through the book, David transforms from a victim to a human. I can't remember the last time I cried reading a book, but I did several times with this.

If you want a book to teach a kid about self respect, love, forgiveness,and faith this is the book for you. If you don't want a book that teaches these things it is one heck of a story.

This book is also published under the title "North to Freedom"

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kristen's book review, January 27, 2005

A Kid's Review

I loved the book I am David. The book tells you to appreciate what you have. Even the little things that we take for granted such as a supply of food, a family, love, a bath or shower when you need it, warmth, and even school! All the things we take for granted David was without and desperately wanted and needed. David thought and lived so differently then us it was always interesting to see what David would think or do next.

David is a twelve-year-old boy who starts out living in a horrible concentration camp. He is sent there when he is a baby. David had no family except a fellow prisoner by the name of Johannes who was to act as a father to David, teaching him things he doesn't know. When Johannes drops dead, leaving David all alone, David is depressed and doesn't talk to anyone. Until one day when the guard who had always been ill to him, gave David a chance to escape. He tells David to go to Denmark where he would find freedom. On David's journey to Denmark he comes upon some interesting, but nice, people. One day he comes upon a Danish lady who shows David a picture of her friend.
She said that the lady and her family were arrested and brought to a concentration camp. The man was killed, the lady spared, and the baby boy was token away and neither the lady nor herself ever saw David again.
David knew she was talking about him and his Mom and Dad, but the Danish women did not. So David had a mission, to find his mother. The woman had said she was in Denmark. David finds that he is David, not a concentration camp prisoner. He learns how to love, to smile, and to play. David learns that life is good and worth living, that death is not good. David Learns to live with out the hope of dieing.

This book was a little challenging and long but the story plot is what kept me reading. Adventure, suspense, hatred, love, and determination are in the book. You must like those things to red the book. David's thoughts and desperate actions will keep you holding on even when it is challenging.