BIBLIOGRAPHY

Orlev, Uri. 2003. Run, boy, run. Translated by Hillel Halkin. New York: Houghton Mifflin Books. ISBN 0618164650.

PLOT SUMMARY

Srulik Frydman was eight years old when, during World War II, his father took his mother and him to the Polish side of their home town of Blonie. The family was trying to escape to make a better life for themselves away from the German soldiers. When Srulik’s father was captured, he and his mother returned home to their lives of hardship. Soon after, Srulik’s mother vanished, and Srulik was left on his own, with no family and no friends. He quickly joined a group of Polish boys who took him into their gang. The group was the first of many that Srulik joined, and then left, usually when it was discovered that he was a Jew. One day when he was on the run, he found his father who told him “to forget your name. Wipe it from your memory”. But even if you forget everything—even if you forget me and Mama—never forget that you’re a Jew.” Srulik takes on the new name of Jurek Staniak and portrays himself as a Polish boy whose parents were killed. He is constantly on the move as others discover his true heritage, but through it all, he remains true to himself. Jurek overcomes each hardship that is thrown in his way and becomes a stronger person who grows proud of his heritage and background.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)

During the first part of the story when Srulik is living with his Jewish family, the characters mentioned have Jewish names and celebrate Jewish customs. Srulik has memories of celebrating Passover with his family before the war broke out. Most of the story revolves around Jurek’s life and his attempts at normalcy in what readers will consider an abnormal situation. The tale of a Jewish boy in Poland during World War II is fraught with dangers, mistrust and loneliness. Jurek occasionally finds temporary homes with Polish nationalists, some of whom give him a job and shelter, and others who only want to turn him over to the Germans. Each family is distinctly Polish, celebrating Polish customs, called by Polish names, and eating Polish food. However, when it comes to religion, each Polish family is anxious to ensure that Jurek becomes a good Catholic. The Catholic religion is discussed in passing as is Jurek’s confirmation. Jurek becomes so bound in the Catholic faith that when Jewish families attempt to adopt him after the war is over, he has trouble giving up his Catholic ways for what he knows is his heritage. Although the cultural heritage of Jurek and his acquaintances along the way continuously identify the characters with their heritage, the details are woven in a skillful way that does not stand out in any way.

Jurek’s transformation from a Jewish boy to a Polish Catholic and back to a Jewish boy will entrance readers who are interested in this period in history as well as those who enjoy adventure stories and the success of the underdog. This story is an excellent complement to studies of World War II and the treatment of Jews across Europe during this era in history.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

Kirkus Reviews .Based on a true story, this tale of one Jewish orphan’s survival during the Holocaust boggles the imagination. Srulik, separated from his parents in the Warsaw ghetto at the age of 9, begins an odyssey that takes him into the Polish countryside, where he must literally remake himself to survive.

Publisher’s Weekly. Orlev (The Island on Bird Street), an award-winning writer and Holocaust survivor who now lives in Israel, devotes this memorable novel to the extraordinary true story of an orphaned Jewish boy’s experiences in Poland during the war. As in most such tales, eight-year-old Srulik’s account combines encounters with the unfathomably cruel and the genuinely charitable. Readers who have some familiarity with Holocaust memoirs will not be surprised by stunning coincidences and improbable events; others may grasp that survival against nearly insuperable odds depended on not one but many unlikely twists of fate.

CONNECTIONS

Students who are studying World War II, the Holocaust, or the history of the Jewish people can research the history of Jews in Poland, especially children during this time period.

Look for these other books about children during the Holocaust:

Schnur, Steven. The shadow children. ISBN 9780688132811.

Frank, Anne. The diary of a young girl. ISBN 9780553296983

Orlev, Uri. The island on Bird Street. ISBN 9780395616239

Isaacs, Anne. Torn thread. ISBN 9780590603645

Wilkomirski, Binjamin. Fragments: memories of a wartime childhood. ISBN 9780805210897