Reviews

When The World Was Ours by Liz Kessler

nm_'s review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

the_story_girl389's review against another edition

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5.0

beautiful

95koobis's review against another edition

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dark informative sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

mransford's review against another edition

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3.5

Good; sad

rachel_xoxo_2006's review against another edition

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4.0

very sad ending

smaxbee52's review against another edition

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4.0

It was a bit of a slow start for me, and different than other historical fiction that I read. This is WW2 told from the perspective of children and so the story takes a completely different shape- the way the stories intertwine and how the memory of 1 day influences the minds of the kids is heartbreaking. I'm glad I read it.

lmkanne96's review against another edition

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5.0

Great middle grade story incorporating three perspectives of World War 2 in Europe. Clearly showed 3 different experiences during a tragic time in history. Read it aloud with my students and cried multiple times.

librarylandlisa's review against another edition

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5.0

Fabulous WW2 historical fiction. readalike for Echo by Munoz

hayley_mariep's review against another edition

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challenging emotional sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

mdevlin923's review against another edition

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4.0

Elsa, Leo, and Max are the best of friends...and on Leo's 9th birthday, they share a wonderful memory on top of the Riesenrad in 1936. But not long after that beautiful day, their lives in Europe change because of the looming war. Elsa's family moves to Czechoslovakia where they think they will be safe; Max's father moves them to Munich so he can continue to work his way up the SS ladder; and Leo and his mother escape to England following his father's imprisonment (for being Jewish). Throughout the course of the war, each child grows up and lives vastly different lives.

A moving middle grade tale about World War II, inspired by the author's family history. The characters are nuanced and complex; and the story moved at a good pace without feeling like the reader was missing anything. The author included a list of resources regarding the Holocaust.