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86 pages 2 hours read

The Endless Steppe

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | YA | Published in 1968

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Book Brief

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Esther Hautzig

The Endless Steppe

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | YA | Published in 1968
Book Details
Pages

288

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

Siberia • 1940s

Publication Year

1968

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

12-18 years

Lexile Level

880L

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Super Short Summary

In The Endless Steppe, 10-year-old Esther Rudomin's life is upended when she and her Jewish family are deported from Vilna, Poland, in 1941 by Russian soldiers to a Siberian village. Enduring harsh conditions and separation, they adapt through various trials, including manual labor in a gypsum mine, navigating school, and coping with family grief. After several years, as World War II ends, the family eventually prepares to return to a profoundly changed Poland. Sensitive topics include forced deportation, family separation, and oppression.

Challenging

Melancholic

Inspirational

Heartwarming

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.4

7,113 ratings

76%

Loved it

18%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

The Endless Steppe by Esther Hautzig is widely praised for its poignant storytelling and authentic depiction of life in exile. Reviews commend its vivid descriptions and emotional depth, though some found its pacing uneven. It's celebrated for its resilience themes and historical insights. Overall, it's a compelling read with minor pacing flaws.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Endless Steppe?

Readers who appreciate historical memoirs, especially those similar to Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl and Red Scarf Girl, will enjoy The Endless Steppe by Esther Hautzig. It appeals to those interested in WWII stories, survival, and resilience, seen through the eyes of a young girl in a Siberian labor camp.

4.4

7,113 ratings

76%

Loved it

18%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

288

Format

Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction

Setting

Siberia • 1940s

Publication Year

1968

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

12-18 years

Lexile Level

880L

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