[(The Return )] [Author: Sonia Levitin] [Aug-1991]

by Sonia Levitin

Fifteen-year-old Desta belongs to a small, isolated mountain community of Ethiopian Jews. She and her brother and sister leave their aunt and uncle and set out on the long and dangerous trip to freedom -- an airlift from the Sudan to Israel, the Promised Land. They travel barefoot, facing hunger, thirst and bandits. "Vivid and compelling...Levitin's tour de force is sensitively written." BOOKLIST. An ALA 1987 Best Book for Young Adults.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Jewish, Young Adult, Africa, Judaism, Ethiopia

Paperback

First published April 1, 1987

About the author

Sonia Levitin is a German-American novelist, artist, producer, Holocaust Survivor, and author of over forty novels and picture books for young adults and children, as well as several theatrical plays and published essays on various topics for adults. Her book Incident at Loring Groves won an Edgar Allan Poe Award.

Reviews

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neither of the local systems has this which is a shame. While I do not think it would have a large audience, it is an excellent book. This is Young Adult since the three main characters are teens. Desta, her brother, Joas, and small frail sister, Almaz, run for Sudan following rumors that that would get them to Israel. They are Beta Israel, Ethiopian Jews who say they are descended from The Queen of Sheba who went to Israel and King Solomon. She returned home, pregnant, and the Beta Israel still exist. Others call them Falashas, but this is actually an Ethiopian word putting down the Beta Israel. They have many adventures along the way, mostly tragic, but they meet up with the villagers they had originally been meant to leave with for Israel. This is based on fact: Operation Moses did actually collect many Beta Israel and get them to Israel. Unfortunately the operation was discovered and many were left stranded in Ethiopia. The ending is overly simplified, and positive. However, it is appropriate for the age level. I was hoping to discover that Levitin had done a sequel to this title but apparently not. Desta is a marvelous character, who grows in confidence to assume a leadership role when necessary. Almaz is not nearly as well developed but is three dimensional. You cannot mix up one character with the other. They are all distinct. This is one of Levitin's better books. If you can find it, it is worth your while, if only to learn about a great mission that did succeed in getting out close to half the population of Beta Israel.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author of this book, while I appreciate the research she did and emphasis on providing numerous sources about Operation Moses and the Beta Yisrael, wrote from a perspective she had not experienced, so I can't count this book as the authentic experiences of an Ethiopian Beta Yisrael girl traveling to Sudan and onwards. I'm not sure how many people Levitin talked to during her writing, if she got firsthand accounts or went to the locations that Desta was, so I can't really say how accurate it is.
My main criticism of this book is the pacing. Only a bit of the book is about the journey, which feels rushed, while large chunks are either about the buildup to the journey and Desta's decision (spoiler alert, she goes), or their life in Israel, which had strange bits of "we'd later learn..." or "we'd later hear..." as if Levitin was setting up a sequel.
Joas's death, surprisingly, was one of the best-written parts of the novel, as it impacted the characters and plot, and was felt from the death until the end. Desta's mourning, her taking charge, all of it was heartbreaking, considering her age.
I also liked how the author dealt with Dan and Desta's engagement, with a mutual agreement to break it off.
Overall, this was a fine book, but I think I'd rather read a nonfiction account or firsthand account of Operation Moses.

[Kathy Monroe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit of history I knew nothing about until I read this story. I plan on researching more on this to see how the situation has either improved or not since the 1980's. Fascinating and sad, yet hopeful for those who made it to their 'home'.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

A long struggle to a achieve a lifetime desire

[Georgia Herod · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an ALA Best Book for Young Adults winner, a discard at a local school library, which I'd rescued. Desta, the young teenage narrator, lives on the Ethiopian plateau, with her younger sister Almaz and older brother Joas, who have been taken in by an aunt and uncle. They are Falashas, a derogatory name for the Beta Yisrael, who are minority in Ethiopia. They live simply off the land, essentially isolated from the greater society, having connections with other small groups in neighboring villages. They are devout in their worship of Jehovah God. They speak Amharic. Desta has been betrothed to Dan—and the acceptable time for their marriage is nearing, much to Desta’s anxiety.

Because of political unrest, the group is watched. They hear stories of villages being plundered, people being murdered, etc. They may not be public about worship. Christians and Muslims have attempted to convert them—not seen as positive in any way. Because of hardships and a desire for their lives to improve, many attempt to escape to go to the Sudan—and eventually to Jerusalem. It is a dream in the hearts of many—“Next year in Jerusalem.”

The book reveals the desperate longing to escape and return to Jerusalem. When they learn of Operation Moses--an escape plan--Desta and Dan make their way at great cost out of the country.

This was not an easy book to read. I found myself wondering how a 6th-8th grader would read it. Definitely a believable story of triumph of the human spirit over great obstacles. I found myself wondering how I would have managed. I thought also of stories of others who have overcome—the stories out of Rwanda or Uganda, for example. I was not familiar with the author, though she’s written 40 books. I’m attracted to stories of Jews and their lives--because of their inner strength and ability to survive great hardship; they have suffered much. I want to read more of Levitin.

[Matthew · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ms. Levitin's book Room in the Heart was one of my favorite reads this year, so I had high expectations for this book. Sadly I was disappointed. Although the storyline and plot are engaging the dialogue and character development fail to ever materialize. In the aforementioned Heart, Levitin did a wonderful job of conveying the persecution and struggle of the Jewish people during the holocaust while maintaining the human and emotional side of her characters. In Return, she has to constantly remind the reader why the central characters struggle wasting viable dialogue.

[Barbara]

April 2011 children's book club book at the library.

Really interesting discussion with the girls in the book club. We had hoped to have the author come in and talk about the book with us but she was unable to make it. I was able to have them listen to an interview with Sonia on my computer and that was worthwhile.

They all liked the book and learned a great deal. They really liked the characters in the book, too.

Well worth the read.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

so this is way below my reading level, but it had been on my shelf for years and i never read it. i recommend it to everyone, because it's an easy read but it also teaches you about something not very well known. have you ever heard of operation moses? did you know there were jews in ethiopia? read it.

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

After my parents died 2 years ago I found out I was adopted and my bio father was Jewish. This book is about Ethiopian Jews who were snuck out to Isreal and the struggle they had. It's a Young Adult book but it taught me so much and makes me want to read more about the Jewish culture and perhaps find more information about who I am.
I learned compassion.

[Ariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Journey books are always good. The main character in this book is Jewish and living in Ethiopia. There's a great amount of persecution there, and she and some others decide to try and get to Jerusalem. You don't realize it until the end, but the book is about Operation Moses.

[LeAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Authentic-feeling account of a Falasha family, fleeing Ethiopia for Israel. Well-written, but I thought it dragged on a bit describing their adjustment to Israel.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good! The ending was especially dramatic!!

[Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as a kid and it's always stayed with me. I was hooked the moment I read the first page.

[PEN Center USA · Rating 5 out of 5]

1988 PEN Center USA Award Winner for Young Adult Literature (tie)

[Ellen Frankel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully evocative young adult novel about an Ethiopian Jewish teenager who flees her village to emigrate to Israel. Subjected to persecution and discrimination because she's Jewish, she risks her life to walk with her brother and a few others to a refugee camp in neighboring Sudan. She finally makes it to freedom--but at great cost. Poignant and inspiring!