They are chosen to accompany 200 Jewish orphans to South Africa for a new start on life. Devorah feels great responsibility to her small sister and enormous guilt for any happiness she feels... as if it's a betrayal of the memory of her parents. Her loneliness is palpable when Nechama is adopted by wealthy South Africans and her name is changed to Naomi. Then Devorah herself is adopted by a poor photographer and his wife... she must reach a new level of maturity to be able to accept joy in her life.

Wulf's fictional debut sent me for a new box of tissues as I read it.  She reached a new emotional level in this haunting story of the  horrors of war and the tests of faith and stamina that these children endured. Told in alternating chapters, the before-and-after story of The Night of the Burning unfolds along with the children's lives in the orphanages and Devorah's reluctant life with Mr. and Mrs. Kagan.

Every school library should have a copy of this historical masterpiece. It brings to life the very real horrors of war, racism, and religious prejudice, and is also a wonderful story of triumph and joy that you will never forget.