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jenmangler's review against another edition
3.0
Many students recommended this book to me, and I can see why. I liked it, but felt it could have been even better. The last half of the book took on an "and then... and then... and then..." feel. I understand that Yanek got transferred to many camps, but the author chose to focus on his experiences in only two or three camps; the time spent in the rest of the camps had a "we arrived, here's one bad story from that camp, then we moved to a new one" feel. Still, Yanek's story helps middle grades readers understand what it was like to survive in these horrible conditions, and that is powerful stuff.
txkatlovesbooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
blakelyschmidt's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
A gripping novel on the horrors of the holocaust. In this story, we follow Yanek Gruener through countless concentration camps and watch in terror as he slowly dies and comes back to life again. Definitely read this remarkable book!
Graphic: Bullying, Murder, Classism, Gore, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Violence, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, Gun violence, Grief, War, Death, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Slavery, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Medical content
It is a war so there are graphic, bloody, horrible details that not everyone is ready to hear.reader4evr's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, what an emotional book. I can't believe how many concentration camps this poor guy went through.
Even though this was a hard topic to read about, I wanted to keep reading nonstop until I finished it. At one point I had to put it down because I was getting so emotional.
Even though this was a hard topic to read about, I wanted to keep reading nonstop until I finished it. At one point I had to put it down because I was getting so emotional.
eprisk's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
Will keep it short, I don't really tend to review books about these kind of topics.
In short, it was a beautiful, heartwrenching story of a Jewish boy during the WOII. He survived everything, but lost so much.
We see him grow up, from little boy, to his Bar mitzvah and then to the camps and to when he gets freed at 16 by the American soldiers.
I would really recommend this book to everyone. But be prepared, this book isn't for the weak of heart, there are very gruesome events in this book.
In short, it was a beautiful, heartwrenching story of a Jewish boy during the WOII. He survived everything, but lost so much.
We see him grow up, from little boy, to his Bar mitzvah and then to the camps and to when he gets freed at 16 by the American soldiers.
I would really recommend this book to everyone. But be prepared, this book isn't for the weak of heart, there are very gruesome events in this book.
astratton1027's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
lozza27's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book was so tragic and yet so gripping. It’s hard to imagine young kids reading this, but an important story to understand all the same.