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sumayyaha's review
4.0
Rating - 4 Stars
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There was so much power struggle in this book. The boys fighting over who might be the 'Button King' almost mirrored the German and Russian's fight for control. It was gripping and an easy read but there are a total of seven boys which makes it tough to follow, but keep reading because they do become individuals.
This next few sentences may be SPOILERS
However, one thing that just annoyed me and wasn't necessarily 'wrong' with the story was Patryk's unending lack of will power to let go of Jarek's dare. Until the end he says that the two of them can still fight for the title, even though a few chapters before he said he quit.
________________________________
There was so much power struggle in this book. The boys fighting over who might be the 'Button King' almost mirrored the German and Russian's fight for control. It was gripping and an easy read but there are a total of seven boys which makes it tough to follow, but keep reading because they do become individuals.
This next few sentences may be SPOILERS
However, one thing that just annoyed me and wasn't necessarily 'wrong' with the story was Patryk's unending lack of will power to let go of Jarek's dare. Until the end he says that the two of them can still fight for the title, even though a few chapters before he said he quit.
olivekmc's review
3.0
I don't usually gravitate towards historical fiction but I felt like reading it and I'm glad I read it. I wasn't really fan of the characters but the ending made it up for me.
I personally wasn't a huge fan of the characters. All of Jurek and Patryk friends were very forgettable that I mixed up characters a few times lol. They just had one fact about them and their entire character seemed to revolve around it. Patryk was okay for me. Jurek was honestly crazy and I questioned why any of them were friends with him. However, I love the ending of this book and I won't go into much detail because of spoilers. I would recommend this for people who want a quick read but also some thoughtfulness.
I personally wasn't a huge fan of the characters. All of Jurek and Patryk friends were very forgettable that I mixed up characters a few times lol. They just had one fact about them and their entire character seemed to revolve around it. Patryk was okay for me. Jurek was honestly crazy and I questioned why any of them were friends with him. However, I love the ending of this book and I won't go into much detail because of spoilers. I would recommend this for people who want a quick read but also some thoughtfulness.
yiddish_anarchist's review
4.0
I can’t stop thinking about this book and it’s been a year.
Troubling, raw, and realistic as all get-out.
Troubling, raw, and realistic as all get-out.
hayleybeale's review
5.0
At the start of World War I, in a Russian-occupied remote Polish village, a gang of 11 and 12 year-old boys start a game that quickly spins into something much more serious and dangerous. This is a pitch-black and thought-provoking novel that doesn’t have an uplifting ending or resolution, so it doesn’t feel particularly suitable or appealing for kids but is an extraordinary work nonetheless. See
my full review here.
my full review here.
fennyisreding's review against another edition
5.0
I’m not sure how to describe how I felt reading this book because I’m not sure a middle grade child could read this and not feel traumatized.
It’s about a young Polish boy, Patryk, and his 6 other friends who had a bet among themselves that who ever finds the best button from a soldier (be it German, Russia, French or English), wins and becomes the king of the village or swamp or some sort.
At one point this book felt like a literary fiction because we’re seeing from a 12 year old boy’s perspective on the World War 1 and then suddenly it became gruesome. This book has contents that are very explicit on death, PTSD and even gun violence.
I know I shouldn’t rate this book that high but it really evoke anger within me because I could only reflect on how it is today in the real world. This is what children in certain countries face today and this book some how creates space to converse between *ADULTS*. So again, not sure how to rate this. As an adult, I’m giving it a 5⭐️ but I think, as a parent, you might want to supervise your children when they say that they want to read this. They might have questions.
Many thanks to @definitelybookskid #pansing for this review copy. This was definitely a memorable read for me.
It’s about a young Polish boy, Patryk, and his 6 other friends who had a bet among themselves that who ever finds the best button from a soldier (be it German, Russia, French or English), wins and becomes the king of the village or swamp or some sort.
At one point this book felt like a literary fiction because we’re seeing from a 12 year old boy’s perspective on the World War 1 and then suddenly it became gruesome. This book has contents that are very explicit on death, PTSD and even gun violence.
I know I shouldn’t rate this book that high but it really evoke anger within me because I could only reflect on how it is today in the real world. This is what children in certain countries face today and this book some how creates space to converse between *ADULTS*. So again, not sure how to rate this. As an adult, I’m giving it a 5⭐️ but I think, as a parent, you might want to supervise your children when they say that they want to read this. They might have questions.
Many thanks to @definitelybookskid #pansing for this review copy. This was definitely a memorable read for me.
pensivepelican's review
4.0
Interesting allegory of the futility of war. The story is told from the viewpoint of children, so their impressions are filtered by their youth and the trickle of information that their parents share.
dogtrax's review
4.0
Another powerful historical narrative that will have you wondering about the outcome ... all told in the voice of young boys caught in the grip of war ... the buttons are just the start of something deadly ...
fennyisreding's review against another edition
5.0
I’m not sure how to describe how I felt reading this book because I’m not sure a middle grade child could read this and not feel traumatized.
It’s about a young Polish boy, Patryk, and his 6 other friends who had a bet among themselves that who ever finds the best button from a soldier (be it German, Russia, French or English), wins and becomes the king of the village or swamp or some sort.
At one point this book felt like a literary fiction because we’re seeing from a 12 year old boy’s perspective on the World War 1 and then suddenly it became gruesome. This book has contents that are very explicit on death, PTSD and even gun violence.
I know I shouldn’t rate this book that high but it really evoke anger within me because I could only reflect on how it is today in the real world. This is what children in certain countries face today and this book some how creates space to converse between *ADULTS*. So again, not sure how to rate this. As an adult, I’m giving it a 5⭐️ but I think, as a parent, you might want to supervise your children when they say that they want to read this. They might have questions.
Many thanks to @definitelybookskid #pansing for this review copy. This was definitely a memorable read for me.
It’s about a young Polish boy, Patryk, and his 6 other friends who had a bet among themselves that who ever finds the best button from a soldier (be it German, Russia, French or English), wins and becomes the king of the village or swamp or some sort.
At one point this book felt like a literary fiction because we’re seeing from a 12 year old boy’s perspective on the World War 1 and then suddenly it became gruesome. This book has contents that are very explicit on death, PTSD and even gun violence.
I know I shouldn’t rate this book that high but it really evoke anger within me because I could only reflect on how it is today in the real world. This is what children in certain countries face today and this book some how creates space to converse between *ADULTS*. So again, not sure how to rate this. As an adult, I’m giving it a 5⭐️ but I think, as a parent, you might want to supervise your children when they say that they want to read this. They might have questions.
Many thanks to @definitelybookskid #pansing for this review copy. This was definitely a memorable read for me.
afro8921's review
3.0
I usually really love Avi's stories. This one was troubling on many fronts. I struggled to get past the general craziness and meaness of Jurek. No one was able to stand up to him and the story ended weirdly.