I Am David
 | |
| Author | Anne Holm |
|---|---|
| Original title | North to Freedom |
| Translator | L. W. Kingsland |
| Illustrator | (no illustations) |
| Cover artist | Kelly Eismann(in American version) |
| Language | Danish |
| Series | none |
| Subject | History |
| Genre | Children's, Historical novel |
| Publisher | Gyldendal EgmontUK |
Publication date | 1963 |
| Publication place | Denmark |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback)and Film |
| Pages | 239 (in Amercian version) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-15-205161-9 (first eng. edition, hardback) Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character |
| Preceded by | none |
| Followed by | none |
I am David (original title: David) is a fiction book written by Anne Holm in 1963. It tells the story of a young boy who, with the help of a prison guard, escapes from a concentration camp in Eastern Europe, and of his journey to Denmark. Along the way he meets interesting people and has many adventures. It was made into a film in 2003.
The book was originally written in Danish; in America the book is known as North to Freedom (although it is now also being published there as "I am David")
Film Plot
The film is based around a 12-year old boy named David who escapes a Stalinist concentration camp (believed to be in Bulgaria) in an unmentioned location. The boy originally escapes from the camp with the help of a guard who gives him a compass and directions to Denmark; passing through Greece, taking a ship to Italy and finally arriving in Denmark. David is knowledgeable in Italian, German, French, English, Danish, Russian and in small parts, Hebrew and Spanish which he was taught by his teacher Johannes, who later dies. The inexperienced and wary boy embarks on a dangerous and risk-filled journey to Denmark (a peaceful and neutral country), following the guard's directions, in hopes of finding freedom, encountering many dangers and people along the way. Throughout his journey, David encounters many people and subsequently learns to trust and develops his emotions.
Book Plot
The book starts with David knowing about, and talking to, the man in a labor camp. David receives instructions from "the man" for his escape, including instructions to travel to Salonica, and then to Denmark. Believing the man is planning to trick him so David will be shot, David resolves to just run until his eventual capture. He searches a bundle the man gave him, and finds some food, and a compass.
As he travels through the countryside of what is presumed to be Serbia, he adapts hunted animal mindset, sleeping by day and traveling at night. He eventually, during the first stage of his escape, hitches a ride to Salonica on a truck.
After he arrives in Salonica, he sneaks onboard a ship bound for Italy. He hides in a cargo hold, and eats some bread and drinks some 'water' he finds in a bottle. The water turns out to be wine, and David falls asleep in a drunken stupor.
When he wakes up, a sailor is standing above him, angry because the wine was his. Through his knowledge of languages picked up at the labor camp, David communicates with the sailor, but only a little. Eventually, the sailor secretly lowers David over the side in a life belt, because of the boy's eyes. With the help of the sailor David gets ashore and finds in the beauty of Italy, the will to live again. Then he sets out to Denmark and meets many people.
Awards
- Crystal Heart Award
- Heartland Film Festival
- Lewis Carroll Shelf Award
- American Library Association Notable Book
- Best Scandinavian Children's's Book
- Boys Club of America Junior Book Award Gold Medal
Release details
- David, [København] Gyldendal, 1963 (first edition)
- I am David, Orlando, Fla. : Harcourt, 2004, ISBN 0-15-205161-9 (hc), ISBN 0-15-205160-0 (pbk)
School
This book is popular with teachers for their reading classes. Material is available.
External links and further reading
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