In Jane Yolen's The Devil’s Arithmetic, almost 13-year-old Hannah Stern, disinterested in her family’s Passover Seder, finds herself transported from the late 1980s to 1942 Poland where she experiences the Holocaust firsthand, providing a powerful portrayal of memory, identity, and survival against a backdrop of historical and fantastical elements. The book includes traumatic depictions of the Holocaust.

The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen skillfully blends historical fiction and fantasy, drawing readers into the harrowing experience of the Holocaust through the eyes of a modern protagonist. Many commend the book for its emotional depth and historical accuracy, though some critics feel the fantasy element undermines the gravity of the subject. Suitable for young readers.

Readers who appreciate historical fiction, particularly young adult novels set during World War II, would enjoy Jane Yolen's The Devil's Arithmetic. This book suits fans of Lois Lowry's Number the Stars and Marcus Zusak's The Book Thief, offering a poignant blend of history, survival, and personal growth.

Emotional / Mysterious / Dark / Melancholic / Inspirational

Jane Yolen

Middle grade

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Devil's Arithmetic reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Devil's Arithmetic | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Devil's Arithmetic and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Devil's Arithmetic Summary and Study Guide

Background

The Devil's Arithmetic Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-4

The Devil's Arithmetic Chapters 1-4 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 5-8

The Devil's Arithmetic Chapters 5-8 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 9-12

The Devil's Arithmetic Chapters 9-12 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 13-16

The Devil's Arithmetic Chapters 13-16 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 17-Afterword

The Devil's Arithmetic Chapter 17-Afterword Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Devil's Arithmetic Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Devil's Arithmetic Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Devil's Arithmetic Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

The Devil's Arithmetic Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Devil's Arithmetic Essay Topics

The Devil's Arithmetic

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Devil's Arithmetic?

Reading Age

Book Details