all Polish Jews be sent to concentration camps. In cities across Europe, the Nazis had moved Jewish citizens into areas enclosed by walls and barbed wire. In these ghettos, Jews were forced to live several families to a small apartment. There were few jobs, little food, sickness, and dirt. And now, the Jews were being sent to the concentration camps, where conditions would be even worse. Yet even as Bouli had told the children this, he reassured them that they were safe.
Edith didn’t know what to believe. If such things were happening to Jews elsewhere, how long would it be before they happened here, to her and her friends? Edith couldn’t let her guard down — couldn’t feel safe the way Sarah seemed to. Every time she felt herself starting to relax, something happened to jolt her back to this scary reality.
As darkness fell, brilliant stars filled the night sky. Edith shivered and reached for a blanket to wrap around her shoulders as the fire burned down. Several children began to sing quietly, their voices blending in a soothing harmony.
“Look,” said Sarah, pointing up. “A shooting star. Make a wish, Edith!”
Edith lifted her head in time to see the star carve a path of light across the sky. She fixed her eyes on it and made a wish with all her might.
CHAPTER 14
The Scouts of Moissac
The camping trip lasted five days. Each morning the children awoke early, washed, ate breakfast, and then broke camp. Shatta sent a patrol out every morning — five or six hikers accompanied by a counselor. Their job was to search for a place for the next campsite and to make sure that no one was following the larger group. When the coast was clear, all the children set out, carrying their backpacks and gear, marching in pairs.
The fresh forest air was energizing. Edith’s pale skin, washed out from months of being too much indoors, became rosy and healthy. Her young body became stronger. The pack, which had felt like a great weight on the first day, became less of a burden, and the daily march became almost effortless. There truly was a sense of freedom in the woods, and Edith became caught up in the adventure.
“We are young Scouts,” Shatta said. “This is our opportunity to build character and learn new skills. A Scout is a friend to all — loyal, strong, and capable. Use this time to observe your surroundings. Learn about the forest and the streams. Help one another, and you will be helping yourself.”
During those five days, Edith used all the skills she had learned at Moissac and learned many new things. She became more competent at tying complicated knots. She could split wood into kindling. She learned the names of dozens of trees and flowers. She knew which mushrooms and berries were poisonous and which ones could be eaten.
One afternoon, Sarah persuaded Edith to try fishing.
“First, you tie this string to a stick. Careful of the hook,” said Sarah. “Now bait the line with this.” She held out a squirmy and muddy worm.
“No! I can’t do that.”
“Of course you can. Take it!”
Edith grimaced and reached for the worm. Holding her breath, she threaded the wriggling creature onto the hook and threw her line into the water. She could make out the silvery silhouettes of fish darting just below the surface.
Suddenly her fishing line stretched tight against the wooden stick. Edith’s heart raced as she pulled back on the stick. It bent so far that it threatened to break.
“Don’t pull too hard!” yelled Sarah. “It’ll get away.”
Edith loosened her grip slightly before yanking on the stick again. Back and forth, she fought with the fish, letting it swim out and then tugging it toward shore. A group of friends and counselors cheered her on. Several minutes later, Edith held up the fish triumphantly for everyone to see. That night, there was grilled fish for dinner, and her catch was part of the meal.
On the fifth day, Shatta received word that the Nazis had left the town. The group
Edith didn’t know what to believe. If such things were happening to Jews elsewhere, how long would it be before they happened here, to her and her friends? Edith couldn’t let her guard down — couldn’t feel safe the way Sarah seemed to. Every time she felt herself starting to relax, something happened to jolt her back to this scary reality.
As darkness fell, brilliant stars filled the night sky. Edith shivered and reached for a blanket to wrap around her shoulders as the fire burned down. Several children began to sing quietly, their voices blending in a soothing harmony.
“Look,” said Sarah, pointing up. “A shooting star. Make a wish, Edith!”
Edith lifted her head in time to see the star carve a path of light across the sky. She fixed her eyes on it and made a wish with all her might.
CHAPTER 14
The Scouts of Moissac
The camping trip lasted five days. Each morning the children awoke early, washed, ate breakfast, and then broke camp. Shatta sent a patrol out every morning — five or six hikers accompanied by a counselor. Their job was to search for a place for the next campsite and to make sure that no one was following the larger group. When the coast was clear, all the children set out, carrying their backpacks and gear, marching in pairs.
The fresh forest air was energizing. Edith’s pale skin, washed out from months of being too much indoors, became rosy and healthy. Her young body became stronger. The pack, which had felt like a great weight on the first day, became less of a burden, and the daily march became almost effortless. There truly was a sense of freedom in the woods, and Edith became caught up in the adventure.
“We are young Scouts,” Shatta said. “This is our opportunity to build character and learn new skills. A Scout is a friend to all — loyal, strong, and capable. Use this time to observe your surroundings. Learn about the forest and the streams. Help one another, and you will be helping yourself.”
During those five days, Edith used all the skills she had learned at Moissac and learned many new things. She became more competent at tying complicated knots. She could split wood into kindling. She learned the names of dozens of trees and flowers. She knew which mushrooms and berries were poisonous and which ones could be eaten.
One afternoon, Sarah persuaded Edith to try fishing.
“First, you tie this string to a stick. Careful of the hook,” said Sarah. “Now bait the line with this.” She held out a squirmy and muddy worm.
“No! I can’t do that.”
“Of course you can. Take it!”
Edith grimaced and reached for the worm. Holding her breath, she threaded the wriggling creature onto the hook and threw her line into the water. She could make out the silvery silhouettes of fish darting just below the surface.
Suddenly her fishing line stretched tight against the wooden stick. Edith’s heart raced as she pulled back on the stick. It bent so far that it threatened to break.
“Don’t pull too hard!” yelled Sarah. “It’ll get away.”
Edith loosened her grip slightly before yanking on the stick again. Back and forth, she fought with the fish, letting it swim out and then tugging it toward shore. A group of friends and counselors cheered her on. Several minutes later, Edith held up the fish triumphantly for everyone to see. That night, there was grilled fish for dinner, and her catch was part of the meal.
On the fifth day, Shatta received word that the Nazis had left the town. The group
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