Mapping the Bones

Jane Yolen's 'Mapping the Bones' is a powerful and unflinching historical fiction novel set during the Holocaust in 1942 Poland. It follows Jewish twins, Chaim and Gittel, as they are forced into concentration camps, experiencing the brutal realities of this dark period. The narrative is uniquely framed with elements of a 'dark fable' or 'Hansel & Gretel' tale, using metaphorical language to convey the horrors while highlighting the twins' deep love and resilience. This book is a 'harrowing testimony to horror and to love,' as praised by critics, making it an essential read for older elementary and middle schoolers to understand a crucial part of history through a deeply personal and emotionally resonant lens. Parents should be prepared for intense themes of war, persecution, and loss, balanced by profound messages of hope and the enduring human spirit.

It's 1942 in Poland, and the world is coming to pieces. At least that's how it seems to Chaim and Gittel, twins whose lives feel like a fairy tale torn apart, with evil witches, forbidden forests, and dangerous ovens looming on the horizon. But in all darkness there is light, and the twins find it through Chaim's poetry and the love they have for each other.