Overview

On September 27, 1939, after the Nazi invasion, Poland ceased to exist as a nation. Ten-year-old Hanna Davidson's father, Simon, and older brother, Kazik, had been drafted to defend Warsaw. Hanna and her mother, Sofia, found themselves subjected to Hitlers efforts to dehumanize Poland's Jewish population. There seemed no choice but to submit to a ruthless tyranny. Learning that Simon and Kazik were alive in the Soviet-occupied zone of Poland, Hanna and her mother decided to risk a harrowing escape from Nazi Poland into safer Soviet territory. With only the clothes on their backs, they fled their apartment to face a daunting crossing and the threat of persecution under Stalin's regime. As recounted by Hanna, the Davidson's journey into the Soviet interior makes for an extraordinary story. More than a memoir of survival, their story is clearly one of a family whose spirit could not be destroyed by persecution, war, famine, or political oppression.

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9780896726277

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Reviews

Her memoir accurately captures the events and sensitively portrays them through the eyes of a young girl. For that reason, this book would be especially appropriate for classroom use. --Judyth Rigler It is a story that always needs to be told. --Anne Warnecke Life has to go on, said Hanna, during a book signing. A burden has been lifted off my shoulders. If feel healed and can freely talk about it. (Author qtd.) I believe I'm here for a reason - all Holocaust survivors must tell our stories so the world will know these atrocities really happened. (Author qtd.) Her Holocaust memoir offers a unique perspective: It tells the plight of Polish Jews, and through the eyes of a young girl. --Judyth Rigler East of the Storm is in the end an optimistic book about hope and survival, and makes a contribution to the growing number of Holocaust memoirs. [...] This story of a girl named Hanna, is simultaneously exceptional and representative. --Wayne H. Bowen More than just another memoir of survival, the Davidson's triumph is clearly one of a family whose spirit and humanity would not be impoverished by persecution, war, famine, political oppression, or anti-semitic genocide. --The Bookwatch 'East of the Storm' is a tale of bravery and risking it all for just the chance to survive. -- James A. Cox, The Midwest Book Review

Her memoir accurately captures the events and sensitively portrays them through the eyes of a young girl. For that reason, this book would be especially appropriate for classroom use. --Judyth Rigler It is a story that always needs to be told. --Anne Warnecke Life has to go on, said Hanna, during a book signing. A burden has been lifted off my shoulders. If feel healed and can freely talk about it. (Author qtd.) I believe I'm here for a reason - all Holocaust survivors must tell our stories so the world will know these atrocities really happened. (Author qtd.) Her Holocaust memoir offers a unique perspective: It tells the plight of Polish Jews, and through the eyes of a young girl. --Judyth Rigler East of the Storm is in the end an optimistic book about hope and survival, and makes a contribution to the growing number of Holocaust memoirs. [...] This story of a girl named Hanna, is simultaneously exceptional and representative. --Wayne H. Bowen More than just another memoir of survival, the Davidson's triumph is clearly one of a family whose spirit and humanity would not be impoverished by persecution, war, famine, political oppression, or anti-semitic genocide. --The Bookwatch 'East of the Storm' is a tale of bravery and risking it all for just the chance to survive. -- James A. Cox, The Midwest Book Review

Author Information

Hanna Davidson Pankowsky lives with her husband in San Antonio, Texas, and often speaks to students and other groups.

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