Sunday, June 3, 2012

Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli


He’s a boy called Jew. Gypsy. Stopthief. Runt. Happy. Fast. Filthy son of Abraham.

He’s a boy who lives in the streets of Warsaw. He’s a boy who steals food for himself and the other orphans. He’s a boy who believes in bread, and mothers, and angels. He’s a boy who wants to be a Nazi some day, with tall shiny jackboots and a gleaming Eagle hat of his own. Until the day that suddenly makes him change his mind. And when the trains come to empty the Jews from the ghetto of the damned, he’s a boy who realizes it’s safest of all to be nobody.

Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli takes us to one of the most devastating settings imaginable—Nazi-occupied Warsaw of World War II—and tells a tale of heartbreak, hope, and survival through the bright eyes of a young orphan.


This was a completely different take on WWII than I'd ever read or heard before. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and to be honest I'm dying to know some things -- I also wonder which parts of the story are true, and which are woven around the imagination. I do feel the ending was a little rushed though, but overall it was a really good book.

I recommend this to anyone who is a Jerry Spinelli lover, or is looking for something to read about WWII. Or just go read it if you don't have anything better to read. You won't be sorry.

--Sadie

Rating: 4/5 stars

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