Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Antisemitism, War
Heartbreaking piece of family life in Denmark after Germany invaded.
I find it difficult to talk about middle grade novels. Sometimes they are magical, filled with colorful characters and great adventures and sometimes they tell the story of a girl who is forced to face the horrors of war.
The story follow Annemarie, a girl who lost her sister in what she knows to be a car accident, and her best friend, Ellen, a Jewish girl, during the German occupation of Denmark in the second World War. The story deals with the consequences of antisemitism, how it tears families apart, destroys communities, but at the same time, how it brought people together in their times of need. It shows the friendship between Annemarie and Ellen grow, how they defend each other when times get hard. This small novel feels like a tribute to those who risked their lives to help save those who were hunted like animals by Hitler's nazi army.
Is this story hard to read? No, this is a story for children, so the true horror is left out, it almost feels like it is hiding the truth as it should: this is a story about children for children. Children are innocent, we lie to them to protect them. But what do you do when a lie meant to keep them alive risks to threaten their lives? Lois Lowry tries to answer this difficult question in Counting the Stars, but the answer is not very clear and almost felt skipped over.
This book is a small drop in the sea that was World War II and the people who hid in order to live and those willing to put their lives on the line to keep them hidden. I do recommend it to those who want to slowly and safely ease into more difficult books that deal with antisemitism.
The story follow Annemarie, a girl who lost her sister in what she knows to be a car accident, and her best friend, Ellen, a Jewish girl, during the German occupation of Denmark in the second World War. The story deals with the consequences of antisemitism, how it tears families apart, destroys communities, but at the same time, how it brought people together in their times of need. It shows the friendship between Annemarie and Ellen grow, how they defend each other when times get hard. This small novel feels like a tribute to those who risked their lives to help save those who were hunted like animals by Hitler's nazi army.
Is this story hard to read? No, this is a story for children, so the true horror is left out, it almost feels like it is hiding the truth as it should: this is a story about children for children. Children are innocent, we lie to them to protect them. But what do you do when a lie meant to keep them alive risks to threaten their lives? Lois Lowry tries to answer this difficult question in Counting the Stars, but the answer is not very clear and almost felt skipped over.
This book is a small drop in the sea that was World War II and the people who hid in order to live and those willing to put their lives on the line to keep them hidden. I do recommend it to those who want to slowly and safely ease into more difficult books that deal with antisemitism.
This was such an eye opening book it was heart wrenching but totally woth the read. Everything about it pulls you into the story line and helps you understand the situation of the Holocaust better
I started reading this to my 10yo son but sadly half way through he lost interest. (His older brother had it as yr7 set text and enjoyed). Anyway I had to finish it and it was a powerful read and not a story I already knew (based on true events).
I love the way this book was so easy to read. It was the exact type of historical fiction novel I was craving. I loved the characters.. the story.. my heart is with this book.