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El barco a ninguna parte
Rachel observaba a los niños. Procedían de países diversos. Hablaban diferentes idiomas. Algunos habían estado en campos de concentración, mientras que otros habían permanecido ocultos con familias cristianas o habían vivido escondidos en bosques, escapando de los soldados nazis. No importa qué hubieran vivido, todos tenían algo en común. "Todos nosotros -pensó Rachel- somos refugiados sin patria ni hogar." La segunda guerra mundial se había acabado y una Rachel de once años y su familia estaban decididos a encontrar una patria donde poder construir una nueva vida. Decidieron abandonar Europa a bordo del Exodus, un barco que trasladó a 4.500 refugiados judíos a su Tierra Prometida, conocida como Palestina. A pesar de haber sobrevivido al Holocausto, los refugiados arriesgaron de nuevo sus vidas por un hogar libre de odios y opresiones. Pero en cuanto los destructores británicos rodearon el barco, se dieron cuenta de que la travesía iba a ser muy dura. Mientras Rachel y los otros niños estuvieron a bordo, jugaban y hacían amigos, intentando entender a los políticos y los contratiempos de su viaje. En ese momento, parecía que no les estaba permitido conseguir un nuevo hogar. Sin embargo, los pasajeros no renunciaron a sus esperanzas. Lucharon sin descanso hasta encontrar un lugar en el que vivir en paz, entrando así en la historia. Un libro conmemorativo del Holocausto, para jóvenes lectores. Rachel sobrevivió al Holocausto pero continuó buscando un lugar seguro al que llamar hogar.
184 pages, Paperback
Published September 11, 2017
2 people are currently reading
397 people want to read
About the author
Rona Arato
30 books12 followersRONA ARATO was born in New York and grew up in Los Angeles. Her work has appeared in magazines and newspapers in Canada and the United States. She taught elementary school in Los Angeles and Toronto, adult creative writing for the Toronto District School Board, and has conducted business writing workshops for profit and nonprofit organizations. From 1994-1998, she was an interviewer for Survivors of the Shoa, a Steven Spielberg project that recorded the histories of Holocaust survivors. Rona Arato lives in Toronto with her husband, Paul.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 16, 2016
This is the true story of Rachel and her family. Shortly after WWII Rachel and her family board the SS President to Palestine for refuge. They are looking for a life of freedom that can no longer be found in their home country. There are 4500 people crammed on this ship and conditions are poor. It's very dangerous and many parish. The story is good and keeps your attention but it is also tragic because it is true. Filled with pictures of the journey and the people they meet along the way. This is a touching and educational story that will teach kids about the difficulties after the war.
September 21, 2016
So, so timely. The story of refugees that no one would let in sounds like something from todays news, but this was 1947 and no one wanted the Jews. It may seem hard to believe that this people were refused refuge, but that was the way in was in 1947, when Israel didn't even exist yet, and yet that is where these people wanted to go, Palestine. But the British controlled it, and would let no new refugees in.
The book is written with a middle-school audience in mind, and is a truthful fictionalized telling of the Exodus 1947, the ship filled with Jewish refugees from all over Europe. They had survived the war, but now had no place to call home. Much of the information for this book comes from, of course, the refugees themselves, but there was an American reporter that followed the ship and wrote about this, Ruth Gruber.
Using photos, real photos, of the ship and the passengers, this is an engaging tale. Good book for the classroom. Definitely a book that should be given to all, to get background on how refugees have been treated in the past.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
The book is written with a middle-school audience in mind, and is a truthful fictionalized telling of the Exodus 1947, the ship filled with Jewish refugees from all over Europe. They had survived the war, but now had no place to call home. Much of the information for this book comes from, of course, the refugees themselves, but there was an American reporter that followed the ship and wrote about this, Ruth Gruber.
Using photos, real photos, of the ship and the passengers, this is an engaging tale. Good book for the classroom. Definitely a book that should be given to all, to get background on how refugees have been treated in the past.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
September 30, 2016
Received from NetGalley for review.
The Ship from Nowhere tells the true story of the Exodus 1947, a ship that was filled with Jewish refugees who were trying to get to Palestine; all they wanted was somewhere they could be themselves, be Jewish and proud, be safe and free. It is part of a series of books – Holocaust Remembrance for Young Readers – and it is particularly poignant considering the current refugee crisis.
The book charts the journey of some 4,500 Jewish refugees who found themselves without a home after the end of World War II. It tells the story of a young Jewish girl, Rachel, and her mother and sister as they try to get to Palestine. Having boarded the ship in France they find themselves on a tumultuous journey towards Palestine where they face British interference, a diversion back to France, cruel threats of docking in Germany, and terrible conditions. They also find that the rest of the world rallies together for them – rebel groups, Jewish people, reporters, and various countries join forces to bring their plight to the attention of the world and to provide them with food and the offer of citizenship. Ultimately the UN voted on the creation of the State of Israel, and many Jewish refugees were finally able to feel like they had a place to call home.
The book is targeted towards younger readers and deals with serious issues in a factual but sensitive way that is easily accessible – there is a mixture of prose, pictures, and snippets of information which makes the book easy to read in terms of structure and a great starting point for discussion and study of issues regarding refugees, racism, and everything that happened in and after World War II. It’s a difficult book to read; anything that deals with these kinds of atrocities are, but it is an incredibly important one and it needs to be read. I would definitely recommend this to schools and parents, as well as anyone who cares about the world and the people in it, as it tackles a tragic part of our history (and sadly our present) very well.
My overwhelming feeling whilst reading this book was one of hope. I will always hold onto hope when I read about horrific events as there are always people who want to help; never enough, never everyone, but always some. The Jewish people have faced terrible prejudice and persecution throughout history, and the events that happened in 1947 were no different. The British government did not want any refugees entering Palestine, which they claimed as their territory, but the goodness of people and the hope and bravery of the refugees ultimately won out. It amazes me how history is now repeating itself; how can we not offer help to those who need us? Those without homes or even countries? There is room on this planet for everyone, and we have a duty as caring, thinking beings to make sure no one goes without. I can only hope that goodness will win in the end and history will stop repeating itself in such terrible ways.
‘The voices of thousands of people floated to us on the quay. They were singing “Hatikvah”, the Hebrew hymn of hope. It was the song the Jews sang at every emergency and in every crisis. It was their song of survival.’ – Ruth Gruber
The Ship from Nowhere tells the true story of the Exodus 1947, a ship that was filled with Jewish refugees who were trying to get to Palestine; all they wanted was somewhere they could be themselves, be Jewish and proud, be safe and free. It is part of a series of books – Holocaust Remembrance for Young Readers – and it is particularly poignant considering the current refugee crisis.
The book charts the journey of some 4,500 Jewish refugees who found themselves without a home after the end of World War II. It tells the story of a young Jewish girl, Rachel, and her mother and sister as they try to get to Palestine. Having boarded the ship in France they find themselves on a tumultuous journey towards Palestine where they face British interference, a diversion back to France, cruel threats of docking in Germany, and terrible conditions. They also find that the rest of the world rallies together for them – rebel groups, Jewish people, reporters, and various countries join forces to bring their plight to the attention of the world and to provide them with food and the offer of citizenship. Ultimately the UN voted on the creation of the State of Israel, and many Jewish refugees were finally able to feel like they had a place to call home.
The book is targeted towards younger readers and deals with serious issues in a factual but sensitive way that is easily accessible – there is a mixture of prose, pictures, and snippets of information which makes the book easy to read in terms of structure and a great starting point for discussion and study of issues regarding refugees, racism, and everything that happened in and after World War II. It’s a difficult book to read; anything that deals with these kinds of atrocities are, but it is an incredibly important one and it needs to be read. I would definitely recommend this to schools and parents, as well as anyone who cares about the world and the people in it, as it tackles a tragic part of our history (and sadly our present) very well.
My overwhelming feeling whilst reading this book was one of hope. I will always hold onto hope when I read about horrific events as there are always people who want to help; never enough, never everyone, but always some. The Jewish people have faced terrible prejudice and persecution throughout history, and the events that happened in 1947 were no different. The British government did not want any refugees entering Palestine, which they claimed as their territory, but the goodness of people and the hope and bravery of the refugees ultimately won out. It amazes me how history is now repeating itself; how can we not offer help to those who need us? Those without homes or even countries? There is room on this planet for everyone, and we have a duty as caring, thinking beings to make sure no one goes without. I can only hope that goodness will win in the end and history will stop repeating itself in such terrible ways.
‘Look at the stars. So many. It is such a big universe and all we are asking for is a tiny piece of land where we feel safe and secure.’
October 19, 2016
This was a well written book for a young reader interested in reading about history. Although I'm not classified any longer in the "young reader" status, I still enjoyed reading it. I started reading books as a young reader and often remember reading books on the holocaust. This book was well written and kept me interested and involved in the book, without getting beyond the comprehension level of a young reader. When I say young, it's not for an early reader, but for someone truly interested in reading and learning.
The story is about a Jewish refugee family trying to leave war torn Europe for Palestine, where they planned on making their home. However, the British were determined to prevent that from happening. This is the story of Rachel and her family on board the ship the Exodus, and how they made it Palestine.
The bonus to the book were the black and white photos throughout the book, enabling the reader to place a person to a face. That these were real people who struggled with their refugee status and trying to find a better home elsewhere.
I also appreciated that at the end of the book, there was an epilogue of sorts. Essentially what happened after the story ended. That's always my interest. You hear the story and how they were able to get to their destination, but what about their lives afterward? Did they marry, did they die... what happened.
My rating on this book would be a five stars. I believe it's an excellent introductory to those interested in reading history. For me, it forces me to think of the similar refugee situation happening in our world today. If the era's were switched, would I be against the Jews resettling in my homeland, or find ways to help them.
A complimentary book was sent to me by the publisher at Second Story Press. The review I wrote was my own honest opinion, without any pressure to be positive or negative. These are my own thoughts.
The story is about a Jewish refugee family trying to leave war torn Europe for Palestine, where they planned on making their home. However, the British were determined to prevent that from happening. This is the story of Rachel and her family on board the ship the Exodus, and how they made it Palestine.
The bonus to the book were the black and white photos throughout the book, enabling the reader to place a person to a face. That these were real people who struggled with their refugee status and trying to find a better home elsewhere.
I also appreciated that at the end of the book, there was an epilogue of sorts. Essentially what happened after the story ended. That's always my interest. You hear the story and how they were able to get to their destination, but what about their lives afterward? Did they marry, did they die... what happened.
My rating on this book would be a five stars. I believe it's an excellent introductory to those interested in reading history. For me, it forces me to think of the similar refugee situation happening in our world today. If the era's were switched, would I be against the Jews resettling in my homeland, or find ways to help them.
A complimentary book was sent to me by the publisher at Second Story Press. The review I wrote was my own honest opinion, without any pressure to be positive or negative. These are my own thoughts.
February 12, 2017
The Ship to Nowhere is a true-to life-story about a 9 year old Jewish girl and her family as they set sail to Israel/Palestine after the Holocaust. , Along with with 450,000 other determined Jewish refugees, homeless and stateless, they board the ship Exodus 147 and collectively resist Britain attempts to coerce them to return to France and France and Germany's attempts to force them off the boat. After their ship was destroyed by the British the refugees were put into displacement camps where these heroic and gritty refugees remained steadfastly committed to their goal of living in a Jewish homeland despite grueling and horrific conditions. Finally in 1948 the Jewish state was created and Jewish refugees were allowed to enter the country.
The Ship to Nowhere is perfect for Middle School students. The author uses clear and crisp prose to describe the stories and plight of the refugees. The book is physically beautiful and has pictures of Ruth and her family, the Exodus 147, and important documents and pictures from that journey that only enhances the realism of the story. Due to Ms Arato's vivid storytelling I could smell the horrible smells on the boat, the waves of the roiling sea and and feel the steadfast commitment of these determined refugees to live in a Jewish homeland. She never infantalizes her students and makes it easy for them to imagine themselves inside the story and to connect it to their lives. Especially compelling is that given our national debate on immigration and refugees it is a wonderful catalyst to help students explore the impact on themselves, their families and communities. One of my favorite middle school non-fiction books of the year.
Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to review this book.
The Ship to Nowhere is perfect for Middle School students. The author uses clear and crisp prose to describe the stories and plight of the refugees. The book is physically beautiful and has pictures of Ruth and her family, the Exodus 147, and important documents and pictures from that journey that only enhances the realism of the story. Due to Ms Arato's vivid storytelling I could smell the horrible smells on the boat, the waves of the roiling sea and and feel the steadfast commitment of these determined refugees to live in a Jewish homeland. She never infantalizes her students and makes it easy for them to imagine themselves inside the story and to connect it to their lives. Especially compelling is that given our national debate on immigration and refugees it is a wonderful catalyst to help students explore the impact on themselves, their families and communities. One of my favorite middle school non-fiction books of the year.
Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to review this book.
September 14, 2016
"The Ship to Nowhere" is the true story about the ship "The Exodus 1947" and its passengers trials as they tried to find a home in Palestine after the end of WWII. The book centers on very real people including Rachel Fletcher and her family who along with 4,500 other Jewish refugees were treated very inhumanely for simply wanting a land to call their own and a place where they did not have to fear being Jewish.
The book is well researched and an eye opening read that I think should be in every public library and every school library as well. It is horrifying to think of what these people including very young children had to go through even after the Holocaust.
The only thing I would recommend is that the book would probably come across better in paperback rather than Kindle (I keep trying to change the edition I read but Goodreads won't let me). I found the photos very small and the descriptions of the photos and the story a bit mashed together for the ebook edition and a bit confusing. Otherwise, it is a very powerful book for young people and a story we should not forget.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review.
The book is well researched and an eye opening read that I think should be in every public library and every school library as well. It is horrifying to think of what these people including very young children had to go through even after the Holocaust.
The only thing I would recommend is that the book would probably come across better in paperback rather than Kindle (I keep trying to change the edition I read but Goodreads won't let me). I found the photos very small and the descriptions of the photos and the story a bit mashed together for the ebook edition and a bit confusing. Otherwise, it is a very powerful book for young people and a story we should not forget.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review.
September 16, 2016
I thought this was a very interesting story about a young woman and her family who survived the Holocaust but struggled to to get to a place they believed they would be safe, Palestine. I think kids will be fascinated to find out about what happened to the Jews who survived.
September 6, 2016
* I received a free copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
THE SHIP TO NOWHERE is the true story of the voyage of the ship THE EXODUS 1947 from Sète, France to Palestine.
Eleven year old Rachel Fletcher has survived the Holocaust along with her mother and older sister. Sadly, her father was killed along with so many other Jewish people during World War II.
Emancipated from captivity, there are many displaced Jews who no longer feel that they are welcome back to their old lives. Many of them dream of returning to the Jewish Biblical Homeland of Palestine.
The people of Palestine are ready to receive any and all Jewish people who arrive on their shores.
Rachel and what is left of her family decide to join 4500 other Jews aboard the ship THE EXODUS 1947. "They were going to Eretz Yisroel, the ancestral land of the Jewish people. There, for the first time in their lives, they could live freely and safely as Jews."
The conditions aboard the ship are crowded, but the refugees are hopeful of reaching their destination and finally feeling safe and welcome in a new land where they will be allowed to freely and openly practice their religion without fear of persecution.
Told in sparing prose that will appeal to the target readership (ages 9-13) and filled with actual photographs from the harrowing voyage, this is a book worth buying. The photographs bring home the reality of the voyage much more vividly than words could possibly convey.
Middle-grade readers will be able to relate to the tale as it is told from the perspective of an eleven year old child. Adults who have yet heard this story will enjoy this book as well.
This story may seem not to be relevant to today's world, but due to the ongoing refugee crisis in Syria, this story is exceedingly relevant. Millions of Syrian refugees are fleeing their war-torn homeland in search of a better, safer life for themselves and for their children - much the same as the Jews aboard THE SHIP TO NOWHERE.
I rate this book as 4.5 out of 5 Stars
THE SHIP TO NOWHERE is the true story of the voyage of the ship THE EXODUS 1947 from Sète, France to Palestine.
Eleven year old Rachel Fletcher has survived the Holocaust along with her mother and older sister. Sadly, her father was killed along with so many other Jewish people during World War II.
Emancipated from captivity, there are many displaced Jews who no longer feel that they are welcome back to their old lives. Many of them dream of returning to the Jewish Biblical Homeland of Palestine.
The people of Palestine are ready to receive any and all Jewish people who arrive on their shores.
Rachel and what is left of her family decide to join 4500 other Jews aboard the ship THE EXODUS 1947. "They were going to Eretz Yisroel, the ancestral land of the Jewish people. There, for the first time in their lives, they could live freely and safely as Jews."
The conditions aboard the ship are crowded, but the refugees are hopeful of reaching their destination and finally feeling safe and welcome in a new land where they will be allowed to freely and openly practice their religion without fear of persecution.
Told in sparing prose that will appeal to the target readership (ages 9-13) and filled with actual photographs from the harrowing voyage, this is a book worth buying. The photographs bring home the reality of the voyage much more vividly than words could possibly convey.
Middle-grade readers will be able to relate to the tale as it is told from the perspective of an eleven year old child. Adults who have yet heard this story will enjoy this book as well.
This story may seem not to be relevant to today's world, but due to the ongoing refugee crisis in Syria, this story is exceedingly relevant. Millions of Syrian refugees are fleeing their war-torn homeland in search of a better, safer life for themselves and for their children - much the same as the Jews aboard THE SHIP TO NOWHERE.
I rate this book as 4.5 out of 5 Stars
September 1, 2016
As I mentioned in my last blog post (about Irena's Children) I love non-fiction books that tell lesser known pieces of history. The Ship to Nowhere does just that! Rona Arato shares the daunting tale of Rachel Landesman, a Jewish girl who, after surviving the horrors of the Holocaust, travels with her family aboard the Exodus in hopes of finding a new, permanent home in the not yet in existence State of Israel. Seems simple enough, right?
Even after surviving the impossible evil of the Holocaust, Rachel and some 4,500 other travelers face obstacle after obstacle, hardship after hardship, and opposing force after opposing force. War ships, blockades, poor food, no food, horrendous living conditions? Will they ever be allowed to land in Eretz Yisroel?
I believe it is critically important for kids (and adults) to realize and understand that the suffering of the Jewish people did not end with the conclusion of World War II. Just because Hitler's Germany was defeated and the war was officially over, this doesn't mean that new prejudice and violence wouldn't seep in. Allies turning into enemies-yes-Jewish people experienced that. But, in sharing this story, it is also critical to point out the unbreakable human spirit of the 4,500 individuals on board. It is important to point out the humanity that many of the surrounding countries showed throughout this unjust life and death saga. Goodness wins. Sometimes it seems like it takes forever, but I firmly believe goodness will always win.
Thank you to Second Story Press for the honor of reading this brilliant ARC. Set to be published October 4th, I will definitely add this to my classroom library!
Even after surviving the impossible evil of the Holocaust, Rachel and some 4,500 other travelers face obstacle after obstacle, hardship after hardship, and opposing force after opposing force. War ships, blockades, poor food, no food, horrendous living conditions? Will they ever be allowed to land in Eretz Yisroel?
I believe it is critically important for kids (and adults) to realize and understand that the suffering of the Jewish people did not end with the conclusion of World War II. Just because Hitler's Germany was defeated and the war was officially over, this doesn't mean that new prejudice and violence wouldn't seep in. Allies turning into enemies-yes-Jewish people experienced that. But, in sharing this story, it is also critical to point out the unbreakable human spirit of the 4,500 individuals on board. It is important to point out the humanity that many of the surrounding countries showed throughout this unjust life and death saga. Goodness wins. Sometimes it seems like it takes forever, but I firmly believe goodness will always win.
Thank you to Second Story Press for the honor of reading this brilliant ARC. Set to be published October 4th, I will definitely add this to my classroom library!
December 19, 2016
This was an informative non-fiction middle school read. I really liked seeing the photos throughout the story as well.
March 11, 2018
Genre: Historical fiction because it was not a true-story but was written based on actual events that happened in history.
Audience: 6th grade because it is a long chapter book that discusses more complex topics like WWII and the Holocaust.
Text to self: I related this text to myself by putting myself in Rachel's shoes. I can't imagine what she must have been going through at 9 years old. I was just a regular kid attending 3rd grade. I was so excited to see friends again after summertime and ready learn cursive writing and multiplication; Rachel was young girl being crammed onto a small boat trying to escape slavery. How different could our lives have been to each other?
Text to text: I connected this text to the Bible because in the Bible there is a story about Moses who leads his people out of slavery and it is called, "The Exodus." This story is about people escaping WWII and the Holocaust in a boat that is called, "The Exodus." It is called this because it is helping the people escape just like the Bible story.
Text to world: I related this to the world because WWII and the Holocaust were real events. This story of people escaping slavery may seem like an event that happened years ago, but there are still millions of people in slavery today! This boat can give hope to many people.
Audience: 6th grade because it is a long chapter book that discusses more complex topics like WWII and the Holocaust.
Text to self: I related this text to myself by putting myself in Rachel's shoes. I can't imagine what she must have been going through at 9 years old. I was just a regular kid attending 3rd grade. I was so excited to see friends again after summertime and ready learn cursive writing and multiplication; Rachel was young girl being crammed onto a small boat trying to escape slavery. How different could our lives have been to each other?
Text to text: I connected this text to the Bible because in the Bible there is a story about Moses who leads his people out of slavery and it is called, "The Exodus." This story is about people escaping WWII and the Holocaust in a boat that is called, "The Exodus." It is called this because it is helping the people escape just like the Bible story.
Text to world: I related this to the world because WWII and the Holocaust were real events. This story of people escaping slavery may seem like an event that happened years ago, but there are still millions of people in slavery today! This boat can give hope to many people.
March 18, 2017
The author has taken a difficult story and told it with sensitivity for middle grade readers. It is a “Holocaust Remembrance Book for Young Readers” and will be a welcomed addition to any school’s library. It is also a timely story that is relevant today.
It is based on the true experiences of 11-year-old Rachel Landesman, her family and the 4,500 Jewish refugees being smuggled to their homeland, known as Palestine. Despite the extreme hardships and the constant threat of the British warships trailing their ship, the families remain strong. The strength in the book is in the bravery, spirit, determination and resolve of the refugees to not give up on their dream.
Rachel is a strong, spirited and hopeful character who helps entertain the children onboard with games and activities. The setting is vivid and beyond realistic. Living conditions are deplorable as they sail back and forth to different countries.
The author did a remarkable amount of research. Many of the characters in the book are real people who made the treacherous journey on the Exodus 1947 — Rachel, her mother and sister, Captain Ike, second officer Yossi Harel, American volunteer Bill Bernstein, newspaper reporter Ruth Gruber and the many Haganah men and women who organized and ran the movement of illegal ships that tried to carry Jewish refugees to Palestine. Their journey is documented with real photos, bringing the story to life. The plight of the passengers on board the Exodus gained international attention.
It is based on the true experiences of 11-year-old Rachel Landesman, her family and the 4,500 Jewish refugees being smuggled to their homeland, known as Palestine. Despite the extreme hardships and the constant threat of the British warships trailing their ship, the families remain strong. The strength in the book is in the bravery, spirit, determination and resolve of the refugees to not give up on their dream.
Rachel is a strong, spirited and hopeful character who helps entertain the children onboard with games and activities. The setting is vivid and beyond realistic. Living conditions are deplorable as they sail back and forth to different countries.
The author did a remarkable amount of research. Many of the characters in the book are real people who made the treacherous journey on the Exodus 1947 — Rachel, her mother and sister, Captain Ike, second officer Yossi Harel, American volunteer Bill Bernstein, newspaper reporter Ruth Gruber and the many Haganah men and women who organized and ran the movement of illegal ships that tried to carry Jewish refugees to Palestine. Their journey is documented with real photos, bringing the story to life. The plight of the passengers on board the Exodus gained international attention.
October 8, 2016
Focusing on the perspective and experiences of vivacious and irrepressible eleven-year-old Rachel Landesman, this book describes the journey of more than 4,000 Jewish refugees as they try to land in Palestine. Beginning in France in 1947, the story follows Rachel and her family and friends as the ship they are on board is surrounded and then attacked by British the military. As the ships they are on, first the President Warfield and later the Exodus, moves from port to port, the plight of the refugees becomes increasingly desperate. The author juxtaposes scenes in which the young passengers play games and hang out together with those of violence in which they protect themselves when the ship is being boarded by using canned goods as weapons. The author has captured the confusion, uncertainty, and heroism of the times quite well here as she shares some of Rachel's thoughts and notes the irony of the very same countries that liberated the Nazi concentration camps trying to keep these Holocaust survivors from going to their new homeland. Somehow, Arato makes a complex political situation easier for her young readers to understand. Especially noteworthy here are the vignettes that provide thumbnail sketches of some of the individuals on the ship, including Bill Bernstein, who was killed during one of the conflicts with the British. The irony of the passengers eventually being forced to return to Germany to await their fate is not to be missed. Nor is it easy to dismiss the courage, determination, and resilience of the passengers who even staged a hunger strike at one point. The efforts of journalist Ruth Gruber to insure that the world did not forget these refugees are most inspiring as well. I'm pleased that the next generation of readers will have a chance to learn more about these events and these heroic men, women, and children. This is a much-needed addition to a collection on the Holocaust, but it also brings to mind the desperate plight of many refugees in Europe right now, searching for a place to call home. Surely, readers will find much food for discussion as they read.
August 7, 2022
A true story of the Exodus ship of 1947 that took Jewish refugees to Palestine following WWII. It was a very factual text, but would be difficult for a young reader to follow. I found the story very segmented at fine with short chapters between days with a lack of depth. If used in the elementary classroom, there would need to be a lot of background knowledge supplied to give students understanding as to why the British were all of a sudden trying to stop Jewish refugees in Israel. This could be confusing to the young reader.
February 10, 2024
Important piece of history that most of us have probably not heard about... at least I never had until I started reading about the start of the State of Israel. It's a young adult book, so a quick read.
October 7, 2016
Received from Netgalley in exchange for review.
A difficult subject explored with sensitivity suitable for children, especially timely in today's headlines about refugees attempting to flee war-torn lands. Told through the true experiences of Rachel Landesman, the ship Exodus leaves Europe in a vain attempt to land in a place where its people can live in safety and freedom.
Rachel is fortunate to have her mother and sister with her. Most other refugees on board the ship are not so fortunate, having lost their families in the Holocaust. The children aboard are sorted into age groups and the older children help with the younger children, many of them who have no living family members.
After living for two years in a displaces persons camp, Rachel and her family are desperate enough to reach Israel, one land where she can live openly as a Jew. As she makes friends with other children, she learns their stories and learns of their difficulties trying to live as Jews in lands hostile to them.
Unfortunately, the ship is turned back by the British who occupy Palestine, and the ship is attacked by tear gas wielding soldiers and bombardment that makes the ship unfit for sailing, Finally the passengers surrender with Israel in sight, In spite of their wishes, the passengers are off-loaded their ship and transferred to three other ships. They are returned to Europe and forced back into displaced persons camp once again. Fortunately, their situation is documented, and the whole world watches.
Fortunately the UN finally votes to create a Jewish homeland and the Jews are allowed to enter their new homeland. The Ship to Nowhere become The Ship to Home and Rachel and her family are allowed to enter Israel.
A difficult subject explored with sensitivity suitable for children, especially timely in today's headlines about refugees attempting to flee war-torn lands. Told through the true experiences of Rachel Landesman, the ship Exodus leaves Europe in a vain attempt to land in a place where its people can live in safety and freedom.
Rachel is fortunate to have her mother and sister with her. Most other refugees on board the ship are not so fortunate, having lost their families in the Holocaust. The children aboard are sorted into age groups and the older children help with the younger children, many of them who have no living family members.
After living for two years in a displaces persons camp, Rachel and her family are desperate enough to reach Israel, one land where she can live openly as a Jew. As she makes friends with other children, she learns their stories and learns of their difficulties trying to live as Jews in lands hostile to them.
Unfortunately, the ship is turned back by the British who occupy Palestine, and the ship is attacked by tear gas wielding soldiers and bombardment that makes the ship unfit for sailing, Finally the passengers surrender with Israel in sight, In spite of their wishes, the passengers are off-loaded their ship and transferred to three other ships. They are returned to Europe and forced back into displaced persons camp once again. Fortunately, their situation is documented, and the whole world watches.
Fortunately the UN finally votes to create a Jewish homeland and the Jews are allowed to enter their new homeland. The Ship to Nowhere become The Ship to Home and Rachel and her family are allowed to enter Israel.
October 29, 2025
Very educational
February 9, 2017
No Titanic: One ship's round-about journey to reach its destination
Author Rona Arato reveals another ship in history’s vast ocean with a story that’s worth telling.
by Brianna Westervelt
In 1947, the ship Exodus left France carrying thousands of Jewish refugees with their eyes focused on Palestine. But as they neared their promised land, British warships attacked the boat. Several passengers were killed and many more wounded. Soon, the refugees were divided up on three ships bound for Cyprus, but they changed course at the last minute and were sent all the way back to France. For weeks, they sat in the harbor at Port-de-Bouc.
After a while, the refugees began a hunger strike to try and force the British to let them return to Palestine, making clear they would get off the boats nowhere else. Instead, after a brief stopover in Marseille, the British decided to take the Jews to Hamburg, Germany, of all places. From there, the refugees were assigned to displaced-persons camps—yes, the British sent Jews to German camps. Finally, in late 1947 the United Nations intervened and voted to divide Palestine into two states, one of which would become a home for Jewish refugees, including the passengers from the Exodus.
In this first-ever account for young readers, author Rona Arato tells the ordeal of the Exodus through the eyes of eleven-year-old Rachel Landesman, who was on board the ship with her mother and older sister. For obvious reasons, Rachel was chosen to help young readers engage with this story, as she experiences post-World War II life in Europe and the Middle East.
In an author’s note, Arato says that some of the people Rachel encounters in The Ship to Nowhere did not actually exist in history, but that they “represent the people she met on the Exodus.” That’s about as much liberty as you can take with a nonfiction book and still call it nonfiction. In the end, though, The Ship to Nowhere is true to the goal that Arato states in her preface: “By looking to the past, we can better understand the need to help people of all religions, races, and cultures who seek a new home where they can live in peace and freedom.”
Author Rona Arato reveals another ship in history’s vast ocean with a story that’s worth telling.
by Brianna Westervelt
In 1947, the ship Exodus left France carrying thousands of Jewish refugees with their eyes focused on Palestine. But as they neared their promised land, British warships attacked the boat. Several passengers were killed and many more wounded. Soon, the refugees were divided up on three ships bound for Cyprus, but they changed course at the last minute and were sent all the way back to France. For weeks, they sat in the harbor at Port-de-Bouc.
After a while, the refugees began a hunger strike to try and force the British to let them return to Palestine, making clear they would get off the boats nowhere else. Instead, after a brief stopover in Marseille, the British decided to take the Jews to Hamburg, Germany, of all places. From there, the refugees were assigned to displaced-persons camps—yes, the British sent Jews to German camps. Finally, in late 1947 the United Nations intervened and voted to divide Palestine into two states, one of which would become a home for Jewish refugees, including the passengers from the Exodus.
In this first-ever account for young readers, author Rona Arato tells the ordeal of the Exodus through the eyes of eleven-year-old Rachel Landesman, who was on board the ship with her mother and older sister. For obvious reasons, Rachel was chosen to help young readers engage with this story, as she experiences post-World War II life in Europe and the Middle East.
In an author’s note, Arato says that some of the people Rachel encounters in The Ship to Nowhere did not actually exist in history, but that they “represent the people she met on the Exodus.” That’s about as much liberty as you can take with a nonfiction book and still call it nonfiction. In the end, though, The Ship to Nowhere is true to the goal that Arato states in her preface: “By looking to the past, we can better understand the need to help people of all religions, races, and cultures who seek a new home where they can live in peace and freedom.”
December 9, 2016
Featured in "World War II History Books for Young Readers" on Intellectual Recreation.
Millions of people were displaced during World War II. The Ship to Nowhere tells the story of a Jewish refugee, eleven-year-old Rachel Landesman, who, forced to flee from her home during WWII, set sail with her mother and sister in 1947 on The Exodus. The Exodus attempted to take 45,000 Jewish immigrants into Palestine illegally.
Written for middle-school ages children, Rona Arato, writes the narrative from Rachel's point of view. Rachel and several key players tell the stories of their past and express their hopes for the future. With the refugee crisis today, this is certainly a timely book. However, I didn't actually love the style of this book. I would have preferred to have a more removed narrator, one that followed Rachel's point-of-view and was also able to step back and look at other figures involved in the transport in a more in depth way.
The Ship to Nowhere is out October 4, 2016.
Review copy from NetGalley.
October 8, 2016
I received an arc of this novel from NetGalley.
I had mixed feelings as I read this novel about the exodus to Israel. I wanted more character development rather than the short vignettes of a handful of characters. However, as I thought more about the audience for the book, young readers who may well have never heard of the ship to nowhere, the format made more sense to me. My hope would be that this series will expand and give students a path to more research, more understanding of this period in history, especially in the light of the plight of present day refugees.
I had mixed feelings as I read this novel about the exodus to Israel. I wanted more character development rather than the short vignettes of a handful of characters. However, as I thought more about the audience for the book, young readers who may well have never heard of the ship to nowhere, the format made more sense to me. My hope would be that this series will expand and give students a path to more research, more understanding of this period in history, especially in the light of the plight of present day refugees.
Read
December 4, 2016Yet another piece of World War II history that I never knew about: the Exodus situation. The ship was a mission to move Jewish refugees from Britain to Palestine in a way that would allow them their freedom in a new state; in this situation, though, the ship wasn't allowed to pass through (it was a secret mission, after all) and thus, weeks of being transported throughout parts of Europe where Jewish refugees were not welcome. This particular story focuses on one girl, Rachel, and her experiences aboard the Exodus.
A super fascinating story, though it's lacking in good writing. I found the fake conversations to be more irritating than inviting and didn't add much to the overall story. I find this such a tricky choice in narrative nonfiction, since it's not real dialog unless it's been pulled from a recording (which, just from reading it here, isn't). Likewise, it's a really neat bow at the end of the package here that felt too neat and tidy. It was the author's note that added some really great context for the "after," and I wish more of that had been in-text.
The pictures here are solid, which added a whole additional level of horror to the book. Related: I want a story about Ruth Gruber, the American journalist busting ass to share these stories with US readers and being the kind of reporter doing her job being on top of the bs policies actively harming the lives of other people.
A super fascinating story, though it's lacking in good writing. I found the fake conversations to be more irritating than inviting and didn't add much to the overall story. I find this such a tricky choice in narrative nonfiction, since it's not real dialog unless it's been pulled from a recording (which, just from reading it here, isn't). Likewise, it's a really neat bow at the end of the package here that felt too neat and tidy. It was the author's note that added some really great context for the "after," and I wish more of that had been in-text.
The pictures here are solid, which added a whole additional level of horror to the book. Related: I want a story about Ruth Gruber, the American journalist busting ass to share these stories with US readers and being the kind of reporter doing her job being on top of the bs policies actively harming the lives of other people.
February 20, 2017
While reading the book "The Seamstress ", I learned of the ship, Exodus 1947. This book is part of that rabbit trail.
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