ljrinaldi's review
4.0
The story of Bruno, who becomes an orphan, very early in the story, but who is saved from being killed himself by a dog that was sent to blow up people.
The story is set at the end of World War II, and the Russians are coming through Eastern Germany, and being very brutal. So, with the help of Frida, he makes his way towards where his grandparents live, but it is not easy going.
Very easy to read, quick book. Shows the brutality of war, while keeping an arms length away as well.
Written at a lower level then the age this is meant for, so that children who normally would not find anything interesting to read, find something, well, interesting to read.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
The story is set at the end of World War II, and the Russians are coming through Eastern Germany, and being very brutal. So, with the help of Frida, he makes his way towards where his grandparents live, but it is not easy going.
Very easy to read, quick book. Shows the brutality of war, while keeping an arms length away as well.
Written at a lower level then the age this is meant for, so that children who normally would not find anything interesting to read, find something, well, interesting to read.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
bardicbramley's review
4.0
A sweet, simple story of a young German boy at the tail end of World War 2, rescuing a dog who had been strapped with explosives and surviving through the allied forces' occupation as the war ended.
It could be just another WW2 story for children, but I managed to make its mark.
What I really enjoyed about it was the final time jump, of Bruno reflecting back on his experiences as an older man, and the comparisons made to the journeys of Syrian refugees at the time.
It could be just another WW2 story for children, but I managed to make its mark.
What I really enjoyed about it was the final time jump, of Bruno reflecting back on his experiences as an older man, and the comparisons made to the journeys of Syrian refugees at the time.
twiinklex's review
4.0
A heartwrenching and hard-hitting novella set in Germany during the final stages of WWII. The story is told from the lesser-known perspective of a young German boy, who is forced to flee his home to escape the invading Russians.
This was a very illuminating read that shed light on many issues that I hadn't known about, such as the use of suicide bomber dogs and forced displacement of Germans after the war (which the author says "isn't something that many people outside Germany know about"). And while the book doesn't how back in highlighting the horrors of war, it also shows that kindness and humanity do exist even in the darkest of times.
I wasn't sure how I would feel about this book initially due to the sensitive nature of the topics covered, but they were actually handled with tact and care just like you can expect in all Barrington Stoke books.
I also liked how the author drew parallels between events of the book to current affairs in today's world e.g. the Syrian refugee crisis, proving that books like this one are more important than ever.
This was a very illuminating read that shed light on many issues that I hadn't known about, such as the use of suicide bomber dogs and forced displacement of Germans after the war (which the author says "isn't something that many people outside Germany know about"). And while the book doesn't how back in highlighting the horrors of war, it also shows that kindness and humanity do exist even in the darkest of times.
I wasn't sure how I would feel about this book initially due to the sensitive nature of the topics covered, but they were actually handled with tact and care just like you can expect in all Barrington Stoke books.
I also liked how the author drew parallels between events of the book to current affairs in today's world e.g. the Syrian refugee crisis, proving that books like this one are more important than ever.
molly_greenshields's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
gilljames's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
This gives an unusual point of view. Bruno is a young German boy who becomes a refugee when the Russians invade at the end of World War II. Tony Bradman gets right into the young boy's head. Bruno's relationship with the dog Frida, and with the old woman who gives him shelter is quite touching
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