The Devil’s Arithmetic by Jane Yolen is a wonderful historical fiction novel that takes the reader back in time to the Holocaust. In this story, we follow a modern Jewish girl that goes back in time.

She goes into a concentration camp and you will see all the hardships endured there. You will see betrayal, love, and some misfortunate events throughout the story. You will also learn the true meaning of life: always do what you believe in. It doesn’t matter what other people think or say. It’s what you think is best for you that you should do. Jane Yolen teaches us this helpful message through everything that these Jewish people had to go through.

I would recommend this book to anyone between the ages of 11 to 14. It is truly a very touching book and it will help a lot in understanding their lives. This book was the winner of the National Jewish Book Award in 1989. I highly recommend that you read this book. I know that you won’t regret it. This book will teach you many life lessons. One of these life lessons will teach you how fortunate you really are.

Like Gandhi once said, “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” The Jewish people did win.

-Melika R., 7th grade