Reviews

The War Outside by Monica Hesse

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noajasmine's review against another edition

2.0

I have never read a book about German Americans in internment camps so there was quite a bit to learn from this one. However, I felt underwhelmed and was kind of waiting for this one to end.

larkin21's review

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challenging emotional informative 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? It's complicated

4.0

pianorunner421's review against another edition

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4.0

I love reading stores about WWII. Engel though this is young adult literature, I would recommend it to all readers. This is a part of the US participation in the war that is not often explored or discussed.

emmirosereads's review against another edition

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4.0

Thank you to TheNovl for sending me an advanced copy in exchange for a review

"I don't want you to ever forget where you are. You are a prisoner here. I don't care if you have a new friend, or if there's a school newspaper, or if there are books in the new library, or if there are community picnics. Or if there's a football team everyone comes out to cheer for. At the end of the day you're a prisoner in the only way that matters. If our family wanted to leave they wouldn't let you."

If this review makes little to no sense I'm apologizing in advance because I'm just filled with so much emotion after finishing this beautiful book. I don't have enough of the right words to express everything I feel.

tallulahk's review against another edition

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3.0

The characters in The War Outside-Margot, who loses pieces of her family and life in Iowa day by day, and Haruko, who worries about the lies inside her family and within Crystal City-really make this book unforgettably. Some of the plot’s major developments came at the end of the book, which really changed the way that I viewed the characters' interactions.