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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
Read this for school. Thats really all I got to say.
4.5/5
I originally saw this book mentioned on The Book Smugglers, which introduced it into my mind but I resisted checking it out at my library due to my lack of interest in boxing. However earlier I resolved to read more historical fiction because I adore the genre and would like to promote it more so I grabbed this off the shelf of my library.
Immediately I started reading and got through about a quarter incredibly fast before going back to my review books. I was so caught up in the story of a young Jewish boy named Karl Stern in the mid to late 1930s. Hitler is in power and the situation is just starting to get ugly as demonstrated by bullies who seek out Karl in the opening chapters. However his parents think it may be just temporary and no one seems too concerned yet. However as the book travels through time (and it covers a few years, culminating in Kristallnacht, November 1938), tensions rise and Karl's danger is readily felt.
One aspect I worried about was the boxing element. I don't really like boxing and I thought it would be really boring. But it was actually pretty exciting. First because it doesn't dominate the book; there are lots of other story lines. Second because it was well-written and broad. Karl doesn't just box; he also undergoes intense physical training that is necessary to build his stamina for the ring. Additionally because of his background, he is filled with a strong urge to prove himself. His initially scrawny physique covers the heart of a champion.
Another fun aspect was the inclusion of cartoons as Karl is an artist. He would like to draw cartoons for a newspaper but his father doesn't approve of that; still he doesn't stop him. These sketches include stories Karl draws for his sister and portraits of boxers, those famous and those Karl faces himself. I love books with pictures and this was no exception.
Really there is SO much in this book: family, romance, sport, politics, art. It is a bit on the long side for YA but it utilizes its pages so well. There isn't filler though; there's just a lot that Sharenow wants to cover and he does it so well. One of my favorite (although heartbreaking) aspects is that Karl doesn't look Jewish while his younger sister Hildy does, causing her immense self-hatred that Karl is sometimes too self-absorbed to notice. This relationship between the siblings is normally pretty strong but due to Nazi rhetoric, it is splintered. Not everything gets wrapped up but the story has a somewhat optimistic ending that shouldn't leave you bawling.
While an amazing book that I highly recommend, I did have two little problems. First I thought there was a little too much about Max Schmeling and his neutrality and inscrutability about the politics of Germany. I did really enjoy the Author's Note at the end about him though-very interesting. The other was that I had a little trouble following the timeline and figuring out how much time had passed. The book is divided into parts, each part stating what year(s) it covers but I still had trouble with how much time had passed between chapters.
Overall: Highly recommended historical fiction about Nazi Germany
I originally saw this book mentioned on The Book Smugglers, which introduced it into my mind but I resisted checking it out at my library due to my lack of interest in boxing. However earlier I resolved to read more historical fiction because I adore the genre and would like to promote it more so I grabbed this off the shelf of my library.
Immediately I started reading and got through about a quarter incredibly fast before going back to my review books. I was so caught up in the story of a young Jewish boy named Karl Stern in the mid to late 1930s. Hitler is in power and the situation is just starting to get ugly as demonstrated by bullies who seek out Karl in the opening chapters. However his parents think it may be just temporary and no one seems too concerned yet. However as the book travels through time (and it covers a few years, culminating in Kristallnacht, November 1938), tensions rise and Karl's danger is readily felt.
One aspect I worried about was the boxing element. I don't really like boxing and I thought it would be really boring. But it was actually pretty exciting. First because it doesn't dominate the book; there are lots of other story lines. Second because it was well-written and broad. Karl doesn't just box; he also undergoes intense physical training that is necessary to build his stamina for the ring. Additionally because of his background, he is filled with a strong urge to prove himself. His initially scrawny physique covers the heart of a champion.
Another fun aspect was the inclusion of cartoons as Karl is an artist. He would like to draw cartoons for a newspaper but his father doesn't approve of that; still he doesn't stop him. These sketches include stories Karl draws for his sister and portraits of boxers, those famous and those Karl faces himself. I love books with pictures and this was no exception.
Really there is SO much in this book: family, romance, sport, politics, art. It is a bit on the long side for YA but it utilizes its pages so well. There isn't filler though; there's just a lot that Sharenow wants to cover and he does it so well. One of my favorite (although heartbreaking) aspects is that Karl doesn't look Jewish while his younger sister Hildy does, causing her immense self-hatred that Karl is sometimes too self-absorbed to notice. This relationship between the siblings is normally pretty strong but due to Nazi rhetoric, it is splintered. Not everything gets wrapped up but the story has a somewhat optimistic ending that shouldn't leave you bawling.
While an amazing book that I highly recommend, I did have two little problems. First I thought there was a little too much about Max Schmeling and his neutrality and inscrutability about the politics of Germany. I did really enjoy the Author's Note at the end about him though-very interesting. The other was that I had a little trouble following the timeline and figuring out how much time had passed. The book is divided into parts, each part stating what year(s) it covers but I still had trouble with how much time had passed between chapters.
Overall: Highly recommended historical fiction about Nazi Germany
Loved this book. The characters were compelling and showed a lot of depth.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Good historical fiction book by same author as My Mother the Cheerleader. Set before WWII, it's focused on teen Jewish boy who wants to be a boxer and cartoonist. Illustrations add to the story. Good for male readers; a few references to circumcision, puberty and some violence. I'd recommend for 7th or 8th and up.
There have been few books that I have read recently that inspire me to become an author. The Berlin Boxing Club was one of those special books. I connected on many different levels with this novel about a young boy's self-discovery in 1930's Germany during the rise of Hitler. There were parts of this book that made me think of Schindler's List since part of the story revolved around Max Schmeling, a historical figure who saved the lives of two young Jewish men in Berlin. Part of this book made me think of Karate Kid, a story about learning a fighting skill and eventually beating the meanest of all opponents. Knowing nothing about boxing, this book was able to break the sport down for me in a way that helped me see it as a sport and not just two guys beating the snot out of each other.
Ultimately, I was pulled into this story by the art history mentioned in it. I am not a huge art history enthusiast, but having gone through the National Board Certification process for teachers, I have come to appreciate the reading of art. The first few chapters drew me into the art of George Grosz and his painting of Max Schmeling. Seeing this art piece and others by George Grosz made me want to take a piece of art and discover the story behind it or the story behind the portrait. I am grateful that this author. Robert Sharenow, opened up a piece of history for me and young adults that was hidden. I hope to have the chance to teach this novel as part of a unit in my classes one day.
There are many other connections I can go on to discuss, but I will leave it up to you to discover your own connections. Enjoy!
Ultimately, I was pulled into this story by the art history mentioned in it. I am not a huge art history enthusiast, but having gone through the National Board Certification process for teachers, I have come to appreciate the reading of art. The first few chapters drew me into the art of George Grosz and his painting of Max Schmeling. Seeing this art piece and others by George Grosz made me want to take a piece of art and discover the story behind it or the story behind the portrait. I am grateful that this author. Robert Sharenow, opened up a piece of history for me and young adults that was hidden. I hope to have the chance to teach this novel as part of a unit in my classes one day.
There are many other connections I can go on to discuss, but I will leave it up to you to discover your own connections. Enjoy!
I picked up this book because I loved The Book Thief so much. The Berlin Boxing Club did not disappoint. I absolutely love how many layers Karl's character has. Throughout the story, you experience Karl's physical growth as well as his mental and emotional growth with him and you want him to be okay. Before each fight, I actually got nervous for him as if I was watching a match on t.v. He's such a relatable character and I loved the relationship between him and his sister. Once I reached the last page I couldn't believe it was over, I didn't want it to end!! I needed closure because I had to know if Karl's father survived after being taken by the Gestapo, but I guess the author didn't tell us on purpose because during this time, everything was about uncertainty. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone. It gives you insight to the reality that was the Holocaust.
A pretty good read. There were sections that the pace of the story seemed off to me. And I just didn't like the ending, it was off. If it wasn't for the ending, I think I may have enjoyed this one a little more.
Compelling enlightening, history I hadn't heard before. Great read!
Book Talk: Karl never thought of himself as a Jew. His parents never went to synagogue, but that did not keep the school bullies from tormenting Karl. Karl trains as a boxer growing stronger. When the Nazi's begin harass Jews, Karl and his family are targets again. There seems to be no where to run and no one to protect them.
Book Talk: Karl never thought of himself as a Jew. His parents never went to synagogue, but that did not keep the school bullies from tormenting Karl. Karl trains as a boxer growing stronger. When the Nazi's begin harass Jews, Karl and his family are targets again. There seems to be no where to run and no one to protect them.