WITHIN THESE WALLS
‘Live, Miri. Don’t let the Nazis wipe out our entire family, our entire people … Don’t think of anything but survival… Promise me, Miri. Promise me you’ll try to survive.’
I nodded slowly. And promised.
Miri’s happy life is interrupted when the Jew-hating Germans march into Warsaw. Soon, she and her family must move to the ghetto. She hopes that now they will be left alone, but what the Nazis have planned is far worse than she could have ever imagined.
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Winner of the 2018 WAYBRA Book of the Year for older readers
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Shortlisted for the 2017 CBCA Book of the Year for younger readers
“…a wrenching story of survival amidst the horrors of the Holocaust. All events are based on things which really happened. Within These Walls makes this disturbing part of history accessible to children.”
Sally Murphy, Aussie Reviews
“Within These Walls is constrained in its visual detail and emotion, dealing with the observable events and reactive responses of those under threat without graphic elaboration. This in no way lessens the impact of the story; indeed, it brings a deeper understanding of the pragmatism that Miri must adopt to survive… This novel raises some interesting ethical dilemmas… which could form the basis for some interesting debate and discussion amongst Bavati’s target audience of young people of 11 years plus… and their parents, teachers and friends. …I learned so much of the history… without being bogged down by facts and figures.”
Jennifer Mors, Reading Time
“In many ways this book is fascinating. It introduces us to many Polish and Jewish traditions. Bavati’s depiction of the times… is bound to throw up questions for the inquisitive reader. This story will be enjoyed by early teens who enjoy historical fiction. It would work well as a companion book to other titles such as The Diary of Anne Frank...”
Robyn English, ALEA