The Devil's Arithmetic

Jane Yolen

Oct 1990 · Sold by Penguin

About this eBook

"A triumphantly moving book."  —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Hannah dreads going to her family's Passover Seder—she's tired of hearing her relatives talk about the past. But when she opens the front door to symbolically welcome the prophet Elijah, she's transported to a Polish village in the year 1942. Why is she there, and who is this "Chaya" that everyone seems to think she is? Just as she begins to unravel the mystery, Nazi soldiers come to take everyone in the village away. And only Hannah knows the unspeakable horrors that await. A critically acclaimed novel from multi-award-winning author Jane Yolen. 

"[Yolen] adds much to understanding the effects of the Holocaust, which will reverberate throughout history, today and tomorrow." —SLJ, starred review

"Readers will come away with a sense of tragic history that both disturbs and compels." —Booklist

Winner of the National Jewish Book Award
An American Bookseller "Pick of the Lists"

Ratings and reviews

OK THIS COMMENT IS A SPOILER SO IF YOU DIDN'T READ THIS BOOK DON'T READ THIS COMMENT!!! I can't believe her 10 year old friend from the past is actually her great aunt Eva in the present!! That part moved me the most!! If chaya hadn't switched places with rivka than Hannah wouldn't have gone back to the present and she wouldn't have a great aunt!!! I am glad I wasn't alive during the nazi war 😕 If I was Hannah I would be sooooooooo thankful of my life!!

The Devils Arithmetic is a eye opening book into the short history of a Concentration Camp. Used this book for school, and it got me a A+. I would suggest reading it on your free time, but do it only one chapter a time.

Very interesting keeps you going the whole time: however never got into the plot line of how Hannah got there or doesn't really explains the 'devils arithmetic' besides that it was great in my opinion!

About the author

Jane Yolen is the author of more than three hundred books, including Owl Moon, The Devil’s Arithmetic, and How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?. Her books and stories have won the Caldecott Medal, National Jewish Book Award and numerous awards and accolades. She splits her time between Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.