ABQmom Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Which one would you have your 6th and 8th graders read independently? I'm looking for the better of the two and the one they could easily read on their own. Just trying to narrow things down here..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 I can only say that I read The Endless Steppe in middle school on my own, and found it very depressing. I did not have the background in history to understand some of the reasons why the main character (Esther, right?) was sent to Siberia with her family, so I started off with a sense of unease from the get-go. One part I will never forget--she painstakingly unravels a sweater and reknits it in a new pattern to sell to an acquaintance. The author describes the process in a simple, yet excruciating way. After the sweater is done, the woman who said she would buy it finds it doesn't fit, because she's been drinking milk and is no longer (practically) starving. Esther is devastated. I don't know why, but that passage has haunted me for years. It's a well-written book, for sure. Sorry I can't help you with the other one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 We're listening to the Endless Steppe on audiobook right now. I remembered the book from childhood and it really stuck with me - I think the part that stayed with me the most was how she really wanted this outfit like the native Siberians had, to fit in and not feel so poor. She finally gets one just as they are finally allowed to go home - she gets back to Poland and realizes it's completely out of place. We are reading it in conjunction with a study of WWII, so my kids do have historical context. I haven't read the other book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swimmermom3 Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 We liked them both and will read them both again with the youngest. IMHO, the writing in Endless Steppe is better and yes, the imagery is haunting. I believe that Escape from Warsaw is based on a true story. I don't think you can go wrong on either one. It may just come down to a personal preference on the subject matter. Sorry, I'm not more help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie in OR Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Endless Steppe left a huge impression on me...probably the stand-out book for me during my jr. high reading days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABQmom Posted July 9, 2009 Author Share Posted July 9, 2009 Thanks everyone. The Endless Steppe is available at our library, but Escape from Warsaw is not--this may have to be the deciding factor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_JWM Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Remember her eating sunflower seeds and her grandmother talking about getting a groove in your teeth from cracking the shells? I loved the Endless Steppe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngieW in Texas Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 We loved Endless Steppe (from my 8yo up to my 13yo and me too). Endless Steppe was very well-written. My two older girls (13yo and 11yo) read Escape from Warsaw, but didn't like it at all. Escape from Warsaw was extremely choppy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 If this might help you to locate the book, Escape from Warsaw. by Ian Serraillier, was reissued under the title The Silver Sword. You can buy it from Amazon, or from the publisher, Bethlehem Books. I would guesstimate The Silver Sword to be a suitable reading level for grades 4 on up. I am not familiar with the other book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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