Scan barcode
littlehouse88's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. Maybe it is because I was a child in the 80s and remember just how mysterious East Germany was. It was a fascinating look behind the wall. While this would be a great book for anyone studying the Cold War, it is a great book just because.
hayleybeale's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. Marvelously insightful and layered story about the run up to the collapse of communist East Germany in 1989. Told from the perspective of Noah, an American boy, who has been abruptly whisked to East Berlin by his parents, this is a novel full of secrets, codes, and disguises. Noah's friendship with Claudia, a local girl whose parents have been killed in a car accident, gives the novel a warm way in for American middle graders. Read my full review here.
Thanks to Candlewick for the ARC.
Thanks to Candlewick for the ARC.
amyv's review against another edition
4.0
Great characters, including the charmingly bizarre parents, and a great storytelling voice. For some reason I just didn't find the overall effect as moving as I expected. I enjoyed the "secret files" with historical and authorial notes, though I think they could have been used a little more sparingly with greater impact. I do wish a bit more was resolved at the end about Noah/Jonah's parents. And my one complaint about realism was that Noah/Jonah seemed pretty quickly to forget about his old life in America once in East Berlin, and never even pushed his parents for details about when they'd be going home - I would have felt more grounded in his life if, well, he seemed more grounded in his own life.
Last thought, although I'm not sure if I'm being overly sensitive to it. But when the author described how the East German characters viewed America - as a place where workers were exploited and many lived in poverty and despair - I feel there was a bit of a sense of "oh, how silly/sad that they're so misinformed." As if the default view of America is and should be of the "American dream" of prosperity and opportunity. I wish there had been a bit of commentary for this young readership acknowledging that some of the East German criticism of America was both valid and true.
Last thought, although I'm not sure if I'm being overly sensitive to it. But when the author described how the East German characters viewed America - as a place where workers were exploited and many lived in poverty and despair - I feel there was a bit of a sense of "oh, how silly/sad that they're so misinformed." As if the default view of America is and should be of the "American dream" of prosperity and opportunity. I wish there had been a bit of commentary for this young readership acknowledging that some of the East German criticism of America was both valid and true.
brandypainter's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
Cloud and Wallfish is a story of friendship and adventure set in East Berlin in 1989. It is an interesting look into a time and place that we typically don't see much of in MG. Each chapter has a "case file" addition that give some explanations and historical background. I'm not entirely sold on this format, but these sections are not necessary to the story and I kid readers will make up their own minds what they will do with that. I adored both Noah/Jonah and Claudia and the growth of their friendship. I was really annoyed by Noah's parents through the entire book. It lessened my enjoyment of the overall story quite a bit. I kind of hated them. It is a fun story though and definitely one I'll be adding to recommendation lists.
I received an ARC from the author.
Cloud and Wallfish is a story of friendship and adventure set in East Berlin in 1989. It is an interesting look into a time and place that we typically don't see much of in MG. Each chapter has a "case file" addition that give some explanations and historical background. I'm not entirely sold on this format, but these sections are not necessary to the story and I kid readers will make up their own minds what they will do with that. I adored both Noah/Jonah and Claudia and the growth of their friendship. I was really annoyed by Noah's parents through the entire book. It lessened my enjoyment of the overall story quite a bit. I kind of hated them. It is a fun story though and definitely one I'll be adding to recommendation lists.
I received an ARC from the author.
kawarwick's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting story of the Berlin wall right before it came down. I liked the way the truthful, historical information was put in between each chapter.
themagicalinbetween's review against another edition
4.0
A compelling story from the perspective of an eleven-year-old boy whose parents suddenly turn his life upside down and move him from his life in America to Germany, specifically behind the Iron Curtain!
The author was well-researched and writes from some of her personal experiences during this period in history by adding "Secret Files" chapters. As expected, a story in this time period is sobering, fascinating, painful and powerful. Noah "Jonah" is observant, intelligent and loyal. He happens to suffer from a significant stutter which plays a meaningful role in the story along with the powerful value of friendship and loyalty which often grows exponentially in such extraordinary times. Wallfish and Cloud's unique friendship is both beautiful and painful as they navigate the pressures, expectations and lines drawn around them none of their making.
One note: Noah "Jonah"'s parents are hinted to be in the CIA or some kind of spy role and therefore keep their son in the dark about a lot of things. In some situations, they are presented as almost neglectful of his feelings and he's expected to "keep the rules" without question. Understandably given the high stakes of their situation with cameras and spies everywhere, but as the story is written from Noah "Jonah"'s perspective, one cannot help but feel the distance, unreasonable responsibility and somewhat neglect they unintentionally shoulder onto their son.
Overall, it is a fascinating book for both young people and adults. Highly recommend this unique story in this often neglected period of history with a special and moving friendship that with stick with you and likely require you to find some kleenex.
The author was well-researched and writes from some of her personal experiences during this period in history by adding "Secret Files" chapters. As expected, a story in this time period is sobering, fascinating, painful and powerful. Noah "Jonah" is observant, intelligent and loyal. He happens to suffer from a significant stutter which plays a meaningful role in the story along with the powerful value of friendship and loyalty which often grows exponentially in such extraordinary times. Wallfish and Cloud's unique friendship is both beautiful and painful as they navigate the pressures, expectations and lines drawn around them none of their making.
One note: Noah "Jonah"'s parents are hinted to be in the CIA or some kind of spy role and therefore keep their son in the dark about a lot of things. In some situations, they are presented as almost neglectful of his feelings and he's expected to "keep the rules" without question. Understandably given the high stakes of their situation with cameras and spies everywhere, but as the story is written from Noah "Jonah"'s perspective, one cannot help but feel the distance, unreasonable responsibility and somewhat neglect they unintentionally shoulder onto their son.
Overall, it is a fascinating book for both young people and adults. Highly recommend this unique story in this often neglected period of history with a special and moving friendship that with stick with you and likely require you to find some kleenex.
sidneyellwood's review against another edition
5.0
So: I love European history. I love middle grade books. One of my aspirations in life is to make history fun for kids. And this book hit the mark on all of it, I think. Set immediately preceding the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, it follows Noah, an American in East Berlin.
The chapters are mixed between Noah's story and "Secret Files" at the end explaining history as it was, including primary sources translated by the author (who also lived in East Berlin in 1989). So while it's an entertaining story it's very educational too. I'm a history major and I learned new stuff. I enjoyed reading about Noah and Claudia and I like that the author doesn't hold back on what sort of horrible things happen to people in East Germany. It really feels like a story through the eyes of a ten-year-old.
The only criticism is that Noah sometimes feels a lot older than 10. He reads around 15 in some parts. But other than that it was great and I highly enjoyed this.
The chapters are mixed between Noah's story and "Secret Files" at the end explaining history as it was, including primary sources translated by the author (who also lived in East Berlin in 1989). So while it's an entertaining story it's very educational too. I'm a history major and I learned new stuff. I enjoyed reading about Noah and Claudia and I like that the author doesn't hold back on what sort of horrible things happen to people in East Germany. It really feels like a story through the eyes of a ten-year-old.
The only criticism is that Noah sometimes feels a lot older than 10. He reads around 15 in some parts. But other than that it was great and I highly enjoyed this.
beths0103's review against another edition
4.0
Berlin is my absolute favorite city in the entire world. The past and the present hold hands with each other in such interesting and seamless ways, and yet the city has a youthful energy that is almost palpable.
So reading a book that takes place in East Berlin in 1989 just as the Iron Curtain is crumbling, it reminded me of all of that intrigue and beating pulse of the city.
So reading a book that takes place in East Berlin in 1989 just as the Iron Curtain is crumbling, it reminded me of all of that intrigue and beating pulse of the city.
hidingzeus's review against another edition
2.0
So many of the choices the adults in this book made no sense. It was a little infuriating.
stroberry's review against another edition
stopped at the point where the boy met his friend (claudia) but couldn’t continue reading anymore so was bored by the book… the foreshadowing and introduction was too lengthy and slow