bcantread's review against another edition
2.0
Serrailler glosses over the hardships and gore, drags in places that don't matter. It makes the aftereffects of living through war feel like just a fun children's adventure game instead of a tragedy which leads to lifelong trauma.
There are no real stakes in it for the children. They're given obstacles which they solve with ease
Then the author wraps up the book by giving us a cheap moral which doesn't really fit in with the rest of the book.
I guess if I were a kid I would find this book more enjoyable, but it probably wouldn't have made a big impact on my life. Just one of those many books you read as a kid that you forget. The Silver Sword is a book that should be forgotten.
There are no real stakes in it for the children. They're given obstacles which they solve with ease
Then the author wraps up the book by giving us a cheap moral which doesn't really fit in with the rest of the book.
I guess if I were a kid I would find this book more enjoyable, but it probably wouldn't have made a big impact on my life. Just one of those many books you read as a kid that you forget. The Silver Sword is a book that should be forgotten.
lye's review
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
jasplayle's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
jroberts1995's review against another edition
4.0
I read this as a child; I was probably around 10 years old. I seem to remember Serraillier offering a very mature, profound view of the Second World War. The book is accessible enough for young readers, but I think many adults would also enjoy it.
fesd5's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I don't really feel that I have an opinion on this book;I find it neither good nor bad. I think I'm somewhat impeded by the fact that it's a children's book, and I am (shockingly) not a child. It's a sweet enough story with a nice sprinkling of realism.
saragibson's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hera90's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
katecks's review
5.0
This is a great childrens book. I read it as a child and look it up a few years ago for my the 11 year old son who loved it. A great book for kids.
mazza57's review against another edition
2.0
I read this as part of a library reading group but this book failed to live up to Our librarian's love of it. I found it to lack the depth of emotion that she ascribed to it . It is an easy read and I did enjoy it but it did not "speak" to me. Characters are a little one dimensional. Said to be based on true fact i am not sure that it is based on facts from several stories rather than just the one.
titanic's review against another edition
3.0
"This is the story of a Polish family, and of what happened to them during the Second World War ad immediately afterwards."
Although I enjoyed reading this book, I wasn't exactly happy with it - especially the ending. it seemed rushed, like the author didn't want, or know how to finish it. The only character I liked as Jan, maybe because I can relate him (a love of animals plus a temper we both outgrew) but it seemed like he was the only life-like character. He had habits, talents, flaws, a love, he just seemed a lot more real. I feel like the author could have worked harder on the other characters as well as the ending, it was such a major let down. I really didn't like the ending at all, the rest of the book was okay. It as enjoyable and I found myself excited and anxious as the book progressed, I just feel like the ending really let it down. I don't understand why the characters crossed the stream, I know it was for a better look out but it didn't make sense for them to leave their sick brother, especially Ruth who was constantly worried about him because of his health. I'm also mad at Jan who abandoned a scared dog, and for Ruth for making him choose. It really upset me.
Although I enjoyed reading this book, I wasn't exactly happy with it - especially the ending. it seemed rushed, like the author didn't want, or know how to finish it. The only character I liked as Jan, maybe because I can relate him (a love of animals plus a temper we both outgrew) but it seemed like he was the only life-like character. He had habits, talents, flaws, a love, he just seemed a lot more real. I feel like the author could have worked harder on the other characters as well as the ending, it was such a major let down. I really didn't like the ending at all, the rest of the book was okay. It as enjoyable and I found myself excited and anxious as the book progressed, I just feel like the ending really let it down. I don't understand why the characters crossed the stream, I know it was for a better look out but it didn't make sense for them to leave their sick brother, especially Ruth who was constantly worried about him because of his health. I'm also mad at Jan who abandoned a scared dog, and for Ruth for making him choose. It really upset me.