THE ENDLESS STEPPE

In the 1940's at age 10, the author and her family were exiled to Siberia in a cattle car. Hautzig writes beautifully of the drastic changes in her family's life and made new friends and came to love the Siberian steppe. Narrator Bresnahan masterfully presents young Esther and her friends, as well as her family and even the dreadful soldiers who degrade everyone in their path. Bresnahan portrays the text, whether somber or lighthearted, with skill. She uses just the right measure of sadness and despair and awakens hope as Esther experiences her first crush on a boy. All ages will be moved by this narration, a perfect companion piece to ANNE FRANK: THE DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL. S.G.B. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN 96]