The problem recounting the saga of history is the question of where to end the story. History, of course, doesn't end... or at least it hasn't ended yet. Even if you bring the tale to the present day, all you need to do is wait until tomorrow, then go to the newspaper and find out what happens next. Of course, to be practical, you need to pick a stopping point--a place where events have reached a climax and one of the issues of history, at least, have been resolved. So it is with that bit of history we call World War II. To hear the tale of the war, you'll hear of the rise of Hitler and the Nazis, the expansion of German power, the oppression then slaughter of the Jews and others, the opposition of first France and Britain, then the Soviets and Americans. You'll hear of the battles, the strategies, the victories, the losses, the surrender and the liberation. And then they all lived happily ever after.... not. After the War is a tale set, naturally, after World War II. It's the story of a Jewish girl, Ruth, who has been liberated from Buchenwald. She returns to her home in Poland only to find that it's no longer her home. Her family is gone, her former residence is occupied by her uncle's maid, who answers the door wearing Ruth's mother's dress. She finds shelter with some fellow refugees, but finds that the shelter is tenuous at best. There are too many goyim who are only too ready to continue Hitler's agenda of lies and murder. Some of the Jews hold onto the hope of emigrating to Palestine, of founding a Jewish homeland where they can live, thrive and protect themselves. But the British have cut off all immigration there. How could anyone possibly manage to make the journey and get in? Ah, therein lies the tale. It's a well written one, with a depth of character and interesting plot. I found myself a bit torn reading it, sympathizing with the Ruth and her comrades, but also knowing the rest of the story, that an Israeli homeland would not guarantee perfect peace or justice.
--J. ( )

After WWII ends, and 15 year old Ruth is liberated from Buchenwald, she tries to return home. Finding noone, she believes her whole family has been killed and she is the only survivor. Lying about her age, she joins a group smuggling Jewish survivors to Palestine. ( )

This novel truly gives you insight of a time period that demonstrated the worst of humanity. Through the eyes of a Jewish girl Ruth, the reader gets to imagine what the experience must have been for the Jewish who were persecuted and nearly wiped out of the earth. Furthermore, those that survived had to migrate illegally to Palestine in order to find a place or home of their home. This story would be good as discussion in the class because there are some things that continue to be an issue or how history has progressed. ( )

This is a good book that takes place after WWII and lets you know about what happen to all of the Jewish children that survived the Holocaust and what they had to go through while trying to get to reach their homeland, Palestine. The main character is a little girl by the name of Ruth. She is the last one left of her family. You live through Ruth and go on an amazing journey while they (Ruth and some other kids) try to get the Palestine.

This book was very intriguing. I am very interested in WWII and what happened after it, so this book was perfect for me. Event thought this book was fiction it was based on true events, so I could imagine what it was like after the war for children. This was an incredibly astounding book.

From a teacher’s point of view, “After the War” is a great book to use with older students. This book is a great book to use for a lead in to future lessons about WWII, the Holocaust, and can use this book for research projects and major classroom discussions. I didn’t think the book was well written, but I found it very entertaining. ( )

This is a brilliant novel. A great follow - up to Anne Frank type novels set during WW2, this occurs immediately after the war has ended. It tells of what happened to the jewish children who survived - the hardship and prejudice and battles they still faced, both inside their own heads and outside in the real world ( i.e from border guards) as they try to make their way to the homeland Palestine. This is Ruth's story - the only one of 80 family members to survive Auschwitz, death squads, forced marches and other methods of extermination. This is a harrowing story based on true accounts - how children were able to survive because they were hidden , they were small, they were resourceful, etc. Ruth must face her own demons as he pretends she is 18 to lead a group of younger children across 5 countries and onto a ship to the Middle east. There are a few serious tissue moments in this book - you have been warned! [Chapter 9 p.67-68 up to "I nod" then p.73 "the next afternoon" - p.77 Ruth must take down the younger children's stories.]