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Derp
Posted September 8, 2011
A good read.
The Endless Steppe follows the story of a girl and her family being forced from Poland by Russia for being "political enemies," they are then shipped to Siberia and she and her family are forced to stay there for 5 years, trying to survive and make a living for themselves. The book is not a happy book, do not expect to be feeling happy when you are reading this book. The major message of the book seemed to be faith in humanity and that trust sometimes may be the only way you are going to get through the situation. The author definitely made me connect to the character and I could actually relate to her because she was socially ostracized just for where she lived and her appearance. This helped me to actually care about what happened to the character from trying to find new shoes to getting lost in a blizzard and almost dying. The author also managed to show the main character maturing as a person over the time of five years. I liked that the author cared about the side characters as well and gave them a believable personality and every character had their own unique human trait. Even nicer was the flow of the entire book, it was not a slog through any of it, you are not going to be impatient for the next decent piece of story. The story was not too fast as well and was not filled with so much action that it would make the conflict meaningless. This is the format that I believe that books should be made. I also like how the story supported the moral lesson that trust and connections to others will help you. I do however dislike the mild predictability of the book. The side characters almost die so often that you stop noticing it when they are in "danger." I wouldn't have a problem with this if this didn't happen so often. I also dislike how the author softens the conflict, for example, the main character's grandmother is forced to work in a coal mine yet the author dismisses it and the character only suffers from "being tired." Despite that fact I believe this book is a good read and I would recommend it to everyone.
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CentralILMom
Posted September 8, 2010
Fvorite book
My parents got this book for me when I was about 10 years old. I am now 26 and the cover has come off so many times from repeated readings, I am here buying a new copy. Wonderful book and STILL my favorite.
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Anonymous
Posted January 5, 2009
I Also Recommend:
I am eleven, and i love the book!!!
I had to read this book for school. I didn't think i would like it, but once i started to read it i couldn't put it down. I think it really helps you to understand how lucky everyone is. I would reccomend it to everyone. It is so interesting. If you like reading these types of books then try "Annne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl"
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Anonymous
Posted January 8, 2008
Awsome
I loved this book from the very start.The title caught my attention, i could not put it down. Some parts were so sad, i felt like crying. One of the best book i've ever read.
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Anonymous
Posted April 21, 2007
Reagan's Review
It's an awesome book and I think other people should read it.
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Anonymous
Posted February 25, 2007
Excellent
This book is very well prepared. I love non- fiction books and this one was wonderful. So much with explisit detail! Even though I am only 12 I was able to read and understand this book without having to ask anyone what a word meant. If only the world had a lot of books more like this one.
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Anonymous
Posted October 8, 2006
Great Book!
I read this book in school and everyone loved it!My teacher said that when she was our age(7th grade) that she read this book. It really shows that you should be thankful for what you have. Esther's personality, way of thinking, and outlook on life changed completely throughout this book(positively). I would recommend this to anyone that loves to read about the past and the hardships they went through. The people were mistreated by the Russian Soldiers! Normally, books that teachers choose for you to read at school are really dumb. Not this one though. It was very good!
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Anonymous
Posted August 25, 2004
The Endless Steppe
The Endless Steppe by Esther Hautzig The novel, The Endless Steppe, is the story about a girl growing up in Siberia. It is about what she struggles through in the midst of World War II. Esther Rudomin had a somewhat luxurious life with her family. They all lived in a series of apartments in Vilna, Poland. Yet suddenly that life is shattered in the year of 1941. Russians invade Vilna extracting capitalists ¿enemies of the people¿ and exiling them to Siberia. Esther and her family find themselves thrown into a world that¿s bitter and cold. There are no hills or valleys. The land is flat. Esther is forced to work out in the hot sun, harvesting potatoes while the rest of her family work down in the gypsum mines. Russians bark orders, the nights are cold and this place seems like a completely different world to Esther. Yet when there finally seems to be hope, more and more obstacles come there way. Will Esther overcome those obstacles? Will they ever leave Siberia? From having no friends to having no food, this book brings you into Esther¿s world.
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Anonymous
Posted March 5, 2004
endless steppe: timeless story of hope
i read this book when i was 9 years old and now im almost twenty and it is still my favorite book i cant wait to go out and buy my own copy because its definitely something i need in my collection
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Anonymous
Posted March 5, 2003
Exceptional Great Book
Ah... After reading this book, I pictured me, living in the siberian steppes on the hot dreaded place. This book brings lots of tragedies and suprising events. This book is exceptionally great because it's based on real life! I enjoyed reading it, even if I am a kid, Enjoyed it. :) All the same, reccomended for ALL ages. *Who can read*
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Anonymous
Posted October 22, 2002
a wonderfully true story
the endless steepe was a wonderful book the best i`ve read in a long time i`m a mother of 4 my son brought the book home and both of us read the book i hope other books as good as this one is avaiable in all school librarys.
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Anonymous
Posted July 2, 2002
Wonderfully Written
This was a great book. It made me want to cry in parts and made me laugh in others. I recommend this book to everyone.
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Anonymous
Posted April 9, 2002
A Great Book For Young Adults
I thought the Endless Steppe was a very good book. It showed all the hardships and tragedies the Jews went through when they were exiled to the fierce steppes of Siberia. I found that I could relate to the story even more because the main girl in the story, Esther, was only a few years younger then me. I thought it was absolutely horrible the way they were treated while they were living there. They had to do many hard, exhausting, grueling things, and for that I have an even greater respect for those who endured it. This book was sad at many parts, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and would recommend it for any young adult.
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Anonymous
Posted February 21, 2002
One Great Book
Many people these days take for granted all of the luxuries that we have aquired. In this book these issues of luxuries are all taken away and people always find a way to go on with their lives. This novel really opened my eyes to what life was like, and how many hardships these jews actually had to endure. I don't know how Esther and her family managed to cope with some of the obsticals that were thrown at them. This novel was very powerful and moving. The message seemed to be so universal. I couldn't imagine someone my age going through this much suffering and pain at such a young age. It seemed as though you were there as you read. The story was so well written and just seemed to grab your attention as though you couldn't stop reading. I think that many children should definatly read this and I would recommend this book for anyone.
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Anonymous
Posted November 8, 2001
wonderful for children
I read this book as a very young girl living on an isolated farm. I found it captivating. Having lost everything myself at such a young age, it was the inspiration I needed in order to go on. A bit dramatic, but as a child I really got lost in her troubles and triumphs. It is well written and the message is universal. This should be in every child's library.
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Anonymous
Posted May 23, 2000
The Endless Steppe: surviving exile
The Endless Steppe proved how strong many Jews were during the Jewish holocaust. It opened my eyes to hardships Jews faced other than death itself. Chapter after chapter brought another difficulty Esther Rudomin and her family would have to break through: Esther's father being drafted to the army, the first Siberian snowfall, or trouble with a teacher at school, making it almost impossible to take a break without agonizing over what would happen next. Read it and find out for yourself how Esther survives her stay at the notorious Siberian Steppes.
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Anonymous
Posted May 15, 2000
If you want to waist your time this is the perfect book
This book made me feel very sorry for this little girl in the beggining but after seeing what others had to go through during the holucust. I consider her living like a pricesess. I had to read this book for school but had to see it had some good writting.
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Anonymous
Posted May 16, 2000
Absolutely Wonderful!
I'm 13 years old and when I read this book I found it very, very, very amazing! It's a very powerful book that can touch the human soul. I liked this book because it was simply wonderful!
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Anonymous
Posted April 26, 2000
A Great Book!
I am a 9th grader and I had to do a 5 themes of geography novel project. I chose The Endless Steppe as my novel to read, and I am so glad I chose this book. I thought this was a very well written book. The book covered all the themes of geography that I needed. I learned a lot about Siberia just from this book. The weather is unbelievable, I have no idea how they survived there. I feel that the book is at a reading level for 8th and 9th graders but it is a great book for anyone to read.I thought I was going to have a hard time trying to read it but instead, I could not peel my eyes away from it. I could not believe what Esther and her family had to go through, especially Esther at such a young age. I think her and her family had a lot of courage and strength to go on like they did. It was a very moving book. The words of the book seem to come right out of Esther's mouth as if I was talking to her about this whole situation in Siberia myself. I am so glad that I read this book because it really helped my project go alot smoother then what I expected. I thought it was a great book and I would deffinately recommend it to anyone.
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Anonymous
Posted March 6, 2000
The Endless Steppe by Me!
I am in 7th grade and I am almost to the end of this book. I guess it is okay. It really describes feelings and it gives good detail. The chapters are long and it makes me not want to sit down and read it, but it gives me feelings like sadness and happiness in some ways.
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