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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
"How could the Germans sit back with the Nazis slaughtered people all around them and say they didn't know about it? How could they even say that?"
Meet Ben Ross' high school history class, a group of "stable, middle class" all American kids, who just can't understand the holocaust. This sparks Mr Ross to start an "experiment" that goes wrong. He introduces a nazi style system into his class room he calls "The Wave". Calamity ensues.
The reason I've rated this book 2 star, instead of 1, is that the premise is interesting. If this actually happened, then it's a good lesson some ignorant kids needed to learn: if you lived in Germany before and during WW2, you'd have acted in the same way.
But the Francine Pascal/Ann M Martin style of writing really detracts from what could be an interesting story. Really, truly cheesy.
Meet Ben Ross' high school history class, a group of "stable, middle class" all American kids, who just can't understand the holocaust. This sparks Mr Ross to start an "experiment" that goes wrong. He introduces a nazi style system into his class room he calls "The Wave". Calamity ensues.
The reason I've rated this book 2 star, instead of 1, is that the premise is interesting. If this actually happened, then it's a good lesson some ignorant kids needed to learn: if you lived in Germany before and during WW2, you'd have acted in the same way.
But the Francine Pascal/Ann M Martin style of writing really detracts from what could be an interesting story. Really, truly cheesy.
Quite a creepy book when you realize it's based on a true story. We all like to think we would never become a Nazi but this book proves how easy it is to go along with the crowd and get swept along. If ever there was a time we need to speak and think for ourselves, it's now.
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think this book is a good read for teenagers, and some adults. Sometimes we forget that following the rules blindly isn't healthy and need a reminder to stand up for individual beliefs. I am glad this didn't happen in my high school but I am glad that it happened and students learned from it.
For its time, I think this was critical young adult literature. The themes and messages stand the test of time (and it’s eerie how relatable it is to the current political climate), but the plot and characters were a little basic. It is written well for something that will be made into film (which I believe it was) but as for a book I think there are better ones out there that share a similar theme and message
My third favorite Strasser. This book made me rethink some things.
fast-paced
I tried reading this book and it was so awful I couldn't get through it. But a GREAT movie adaptation of it is a German film called "Die Welle". It's got subtitles, so g'head and watch it! :)
Going in my expectations for this book weren’t extremely high so I can’t say I’m too disappointed by how under developed this book was.
You can literally read the blurb for this book and understand what message the author was trying to get across.
The most annoying part about this book is how out of touch the teacher was. It was pretty ridiculous how his wife and other faculty members bought to his attention the effects of this experiment and how he dismissed them.
There was the jock that recruited the “muscle” behind The Wave, the girl who no longer felt like she had to compete against her best friend, the loner kid who felt apart of the team, the girl next door who caught what was happening. Should I continue with the cliches? On top of it, this whole thing happened within 5 days. 5. One school week.
This book felt cliched and yet all over the place at the same time.
You can literally read the blurb for this book and understand what message the author was trying to get across.
The most annoying part about this book is how out of touch the teacher was. It was pretty ridiculous how his wife and other faculty members bought to his attention the effects of this experiment and how he dismissed them.
There was the jock that recruited the “muscle” behind The Wave, the girl who no longer felt like she had to compete against her best friend, the loner kid who felt apart of the team, the girl next door who caught what was happening. Should I continue with the cliches? On top of it, this whole thing happened within 5 days. 5. One school week.
This book felt cliched and yet all over the place at the same time.
Based on a true story, The Wave is an interesting story about how quickly a group of impressionable teens can become caught up in a "wave" (or movement) when a teacher uses his students to demonstrate how the Nazis could have gained so much power so quickly in WWII. In fact, the teacher's experiment is almost too effective and almost threatens to overtake the entire school.
I did not love the writing style and felt like some of the characters were more like cardboard cutouts of students ("the Jock", "the weirdo", "the brainiac"). Also, I thought the teacher showed incredible lack of judgment in how far he let things go.
But, overall, I think this is a good book for Young Adults to read, especially if its followed up with discussion with a teacher or parent.
I did not love the writing style and felt like some of the characters were more like cardboard cutouts of students ("the Jock", "the weirdo", "the brainiac"). Also, I thought the teacher showed incredible lack of judgment in how far he let things go.
But, overall, I think this is a good book for Young Adults to read, especially if its followed up with discussion with a teacher or parent.