Run, Boy, Run - Uri Orlev (2003)

Title: Run, Boy, Run

Author: Uri Orlev

Genre: Historical fiction

Published: 2003

Number of Pages: 192

Recommended for: mature 10+

Summary: (Official) Run, Boy, Run is the extraordinary account of one boy’s survival of the Holocaust. Srulik is only eight years old when he finds himself all alone in the Warsaw ghetto. He escapes into the countryside where he spends the ensuing years hiding in the forest, dependent on the sympathies and generosity of the poor farmers in the surrounding area. Despite the seemingly insurmountable odds, several chases, captures, attempted executions, and even the loss of his arm, Srulik miraculously survives.

Content Review

Profanity: a** is used once. B*****d twice. 

Sexual Content: The word circumcision is used twice. Numerous people ask Srulik/Jurek to undress to either see if he's circumcised or bathe him. Srulik is repeatedly told not to swim. (I suppose boys swam naked back then. I would never dream of it.)Page 59: After a girl's dress flies up, she asks a boy to pull down his pants. The boy, circumcised, does so without thinking. She then replies "Yours is different from the other boys." Then, a cow gives birth. When he says he's never seen an animal give birth, she tells him "You and I were born the same way." than asks him if he knew how babies get into a woman's stomach. The only thing written is "She told him."When he calls the girl crazy, she replies, "Didn't you ever see a dog mount a b*tch? Or a Billy goat do it with a goat?"Page 81: During a peeing contest, a boy, angry at Jurek, reveals Jurek's secret. [he is circumcised] The word "penis" is mentioned.In chapter 14, a girl and boy have sex twice. Although the word is never mentioned, it is noted their clothes are hanging up. Younger kids might not understand. ("What are they doing under the blankets?") and "Marisza had said, "You'll understand when you're older."
Violence: This is the story of a Jew doing WWII. Jurek is repeatedly beaten, he loses an arm, nothing to shocking.
Drugs/Alcohol: It's WWII, everyone nearly smokes. (Kids included) alcohol and vodka are mentioned.

My opinion: This is one of the most amazing stories I have ever read. It is fiction, although based on a true story. I would highly recommend to mature 10 year olds and up. Except for the sexual content, this would make a very good story for a Holocaust curriculum. However, this could be used as a read-aloud with certain parts edited. Jurek is kind of like David from I Am David by Anne Holm and in the way he adjusts with losing his arm, is as resilient as Bethany Hamilton.

Jurek is a clever young Jewish boy thrust into a very adult and violent world. Although there are no graphic details of violence, this book is sad at times and will break your heart. The entire time, I wanted to jump into the book and shout, "Jurek! I love you!" This kid is thrown around from family to family, and after growing accustomed to it, the war ends. His perspective and the end are very unique.

There are a few minor grammatical errors, I think are from the translation from Hebrew to English. So, younger readers may have a wee bit of trouble.