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katykelly's review
5.0
Another winner that should be better known outside of its home country. By the author of Emil and the Detectives, this story is just as enjoyable.
Bookended by a writer trying to come up with a Christmas story, the book is then set in a boarding school in Germany, with a period feeling of Tom Brown's Schooldays, Morpurgo's The War of Jenkins' Ear and Kipling's Stalky and Co as well as the fun of Harry Potter and Matilda.
It's a little adventure of the boys there, with stolen exercise books, a play to perform, Masters with secrets, and Christmas holidays to look forward to (or not). The characters are very likeable though it took me a while to distinguish one from another.
I was actually quite moved near the end, and thoroughly enjoyed the quite naive and innocent style of the story. I also liked the distinctly traditional illustrations.
Very nice period school tale, I can see myself reading this with my son in a few years time. For solo readers of 9 and above, good for bedtime with parents from around age 7.
Bookended by a writer trying to come up with a Christmas story, the book is then set in a boarding school in Germany, with a period feeling of Tom Brown's Schooldays, Morpurgo's The War of Jenkins' Ear and Kipling's Stalky and Co as well as the fun of Harry Potter and Matilda.
It's a little adventure of the boys there, with stolen exercise books, a play to perform, Masters with secrets, and Christmas holidays to look forward to (or not). The characters are very likeable though it took me a while to distinguish one from another.
I was actually quite moved near the end, and thoroughly enjoyed the quite naive and innocent style of the story. I also liked the distinctly traditional illustrations.
Very nice period school tale, I can see myself reading this with my son in a few years time. For solo readers of 9 and above, good for bedtime with parents from around age 7.
decadentfool's review
i keep forgetting to log things in into storygraph but i read this for work and fell in love with erich kaestner HARDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 ILY GERMAN MAN U WRITE SUCH GOOD STORIES
maranull's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
toffeetink's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Erich Kästner is my new favorite author since I have recently discovered him (although this book was written nearly 100 years ago!)
I love these boys, their depth, their joyfulness, honesty and truth.
Kästner is such a great storyteller, I smile and cry through his books and adore the children.
I wonder what his childhood was like. :-)
I love these boys, their depth, their joyfulness, honesty and truth.
Kästner is such a great storyteller, I smile and cry through his books and adore the children.
I wonder what his childhood was like. :-)
neekah's review
5.0
I had a bout of nostalgia the other day, and just had to read this again. Still love it, still cried.
alnotai's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
butterfly2507's review against another edition
4.0
Einfach nur wundervoll :) Ich habe das Buch schon als Kind geliebt und den Film fand ich auch super :)
_anika_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75