Book Description

All his life, Tim Meeker has looked up to his brother Sam.Sam's smart and brave -- and is now a part of the American Revolution.Not everyone in town wants to be a part of the rebellion.Most are supporters of the British -- including Tim and Sam's father. With the war soon raging, Tim know he'll have to make a choice -- between the Revolutionaries and the Redcoats . . . and between his brother and his father.
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Reviews (235)

Historical-fiction book
This book was an assigned as a 7th grade Knglish assignement. The teacher chose to read. Our class read this book in the fall of 1999. I read the most part of this book at home. I think this book is more of a kick back relax sort of book.

This book is an historical-fiction which takes place in the Revolutionary War. The story gives the point of view of a young boy whose brother goes off to fight in the war. The boy is faced with a challenge, in which he has to decide whether to be a Patriot like his brother or a loyalist like his father. This book has a political conflict, character conflict, and a personal conflict. This book is a good example of irony because what I was expecting didn't happen. With the way the book started I didn't expect this ending.

I liked this book because it kept you on the edge of you seat. It keeps the reader interested by throwing corners at you when you least expect it. It taught me about a historical period. It gave examples of how those people were living in those conditions. I thought it was good book because it told you everything you wanted to know about that period.

My Brother Sam Is Dead - A Cool Book
My Brother Sam Is Dead is a very realistic book. It gives the reader an idea of how bad war really is. It shows what can come of war: death and sadness. In the story war is breaking apart families. The main character is Tim Meeker. His brother, Sam, is fighting on the side of the patriots while his father supports the English king. Tim doesn't know what side to be on. He's split between his brother and his father. Most people are used to reading books about the Revolutionary War that based on the patriots' thoughts and ideas. This book gives you experiences from both sides, Patriot and British. I recommend that you read this book!

Stupendous Book- A Must Read
The book "My Brother Sam Is Dead" is a very heart-warming book. It is about family who is broken up by the Revolutionary War. The father is on the British side while his son, Sam, is fighting for the Patriots. It is very dramatic and has some older language. It is also gory and intense. This book is very descriptive in its war parts, which is awesome.

A good book.
My Brother Sam is dead was a good book. L liked the book becouse it took place in a setting was very discriptive. I liked the fact that a family in it fought for each other. Even when they disagrea on a lot of topics. The book has a good sence of humer for how seriose the topic of the story. Like when Sam was talking about stealing Old Bess (the gun) wile putting chicken eggs in a basket with holes in the bottom of it. The book is the third most favorite book I read this year. The book cept its carictors vary discriptive and interesting through the hole book. But the oldest sun Sam gets in trubble with the law. He gets exicuted. That was the only part of the story I was not interested in. Since the famaly was so close or becoase he was so nise he didn't even commit the crime.His father tries to help even though they don't always get along all the time.

I didnt want to read it, but i loved it.
I read, My Brother Sam Is Dead. I liked this book a lot. It is not the usual kind of books I read but I really enjoyed this book. It kept me just wanting to keep on reading it was so good. A lot of unexpected things happened in the story.

All Tim Meeker's life, Tim looked up to his brother, Sam. Sam is very smart and brave and always knows the right thing to do. In fact, everyone in Redding admired Sam Meeker... until now.
Now Sam is part of the American revolutionary army. He talks about defeating the British and becoming independent and free. However, not everyone in town wants to be a part of this new America. Most people are loyal supporters of the English King, especially Tim and Sam's father.
The war is raging and Tim knows he'll have to make a choice. However, how can he choose- when it means fighting his father on one side and fighting is brother on the other?

I would recommend this book to everyone. This is almost all the genres. Mystery, historical fiction, suspense and sad. It's a GREAT book. I hope you read... MY BROTHER SAM IS DEAD. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A coming of age tale for young adults set in the trenches of the Vietnam War in the late 1960s, Fallen Angels is the story of Perry, a Harlem teenager who volunteers for the service when his dream of attending college falls through. Sent to the front lines, Perry and his platoon come face-to-face with the Vietcong and the real horror of warfare. But violence and death aren't the only hardships. As Perry struggles to find virtue in himself and his comrades, he questions why black troops are given the most dangerous assignments, and why the U.S. is there at all. Fallen Angels won the 1989 Coretta Scott King Award. ... Read more

Reviews (172)

Just anothe good book
Just Another Good Book

Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers is a riveting tale of heroism, in a time when death and sorrow were abundant. I give 4 stars to this book for the authors amazing use of characterization. The characters emotions are clear as day during battle and when he is alone to think about why he is in Vietnam. You feel like your actually in the war when the author paints a vivid picture of the battle scene. It's a fast read, but just slow enough to let your imagination run wild.
The plot of this novel is masterfully laid out, and it keeps you reading on and on wanting to know what will happen next. Perry is a 19 year old black man who leaves home to join the army. After basic raining he ends up on a plane to Vietnam. On the way he meets a black man named Peewee and they become best friends. Throughout the story they are forced to stick together to survive. They depend on each other and the rest of the squad to get them out alive. They are on the verge of death countless times.
Throughout the story your mind will dissolve and blend with that of the characters. You get 5 unique points of view, and the author goes in depth on three of them. Perry, Peewee, and Monaco just want to get out of the war and go back to the lives that they left behind. The story is deeply intertwined with the emotions of the characters. There is a point in time where the characters change, they start to go a little mad and they all develop there own beliefs on what this war is all about. The characters touch you and make you feel like you're actually in the story, it's an amazing effect.
Fallen Angels combines real life drama with a touch of fictional entertainment. This book shows you a picture of how life was back then, with an epic climax that will leave you exhausted, but begging for more. Quite simply a candidate for the Pulitzer.

Fallen Angels, a really great book
I would recommend this book to everyone of the right age, though considering some language and some events are a little graphic, I wouldn't suggest giving this book to a child. Fallen Angels is a great Vietnam War novel. It is about an African American soldier named Perry who joined the army when his athletic scholarship is ruined when he hurts his knee. He meets another African American who calls himself PeeWee and together they struggle to survive their required 14-month tour through Vietnam. Through luck, skill, and Peewee and Perry's growing companionship, they survive battle through battle as everyone around them dies. The book has a lot of battles, with a physical enemy, the Viet Cong, and with the emotions they encounter throughout their time in 'the worst place on earth.' Walter Dean Myers' description and the characterization he uses make Fallen Angels an unforgettable book. His balance of characters and their interactions make this story very realistic. Overall, this novel was put together wonderfully and there is never a dull moment. Walter Dean Myers adds a touch humor in just the right places, too. Fallen Angels shows the life of the soldier. I believe if everyone knew what it was really like, they wouldn't be so quick to have a war and send young people, who are the future, to die in battle.

Phoney and silly
The author knows very little about Viet Nam. He apparently thinks the 60 in M-60 stands for .60 cal. and that soldiers put stamps on their letters when they were in the war zone.

Because of the dialogue, the book's subtitle could be The Little Rascals Go To War. Soldiers' talk in this book is often just too cute. For those who like mildly homoerotic war stories that little reflect the way things are, this book might be for you.

Disturbing only for die hard war fans
Only for die hard war fans.I did not find this movie enjoyable at all.The characters did not do it for me.

Fallen Angels
The book Fallen Angels is a grate book for today's teens. It gives the reader of the understandings of the good and the bad parts of the war. How men can find hope in the hardest of conditions and as a reader I have learned many things about life and death. About how every second counts and about how scary it is to know that when you enter this hell the only way to get out is take someone's life away and that. This book has shown me the terror of seeing someone you know die right next to you and knowing that that could happen to you any moment. But most importantly it gives me a new look on life. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

An Unforgetable Tale
This story is very well written by author Yuskiko Uchida. This story takes place around the time when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. A normal Japanese-American girl lived in Berkekly, California and her life was like a regular girls life. Until her father was taken from her and her family. That was when World War 2 started. This girl and her family were moved from concentration camp to concentration camp taking away from her normal life. Will her friends and family ever be reunited again? Friendship, courage, and faith soon will come to her and her family .

I am only 11, 10 at the time I read the book, and it taught me so much. I have always been a "bookworm" and this book surely proved it. I read this book in a restuarant, lawyer office, and everywhere else we went. This book is so good, you will not want to put it down. This amazing boook an unforgettable, heartwarming story that you'll definitely want to read!

Wonderful historical fiction
I homeschool my 12 y.o. son, and we read this book for a historical fiction book group. It is a beautifully written story of the tragic internment of Japanese Americans during WWII. It brings to life both the physical realities and the emotional burdens that were imposed by tearing people from their homes and sending them to dismal war camps. I highly recommend this book as an accompaniment to non-fiction reading about the internments, because it provides such a vivid picture of this sad chapter in American history.

Topaz
Journey to Topaz

The plot of the story is that Yuki and her family are sent to various places to live, they are camps for only Japanese, because the Japanese across the ocean have just bombed Pearl Harbor. In the time between when Yuki is still living in her home, and Yuki and her family are sent to the last camp, Topaz, are very horrible ones. People get sick, they die, and they don't like conditions they have to live in among many other things. Like the second camp they are sent to is really sandy and gritty. The "apartments" that all the Japanese had to stay in are really cold and dark.
I liked the book to an extent. The reason for this is because this book is a lot different then the books I usually read. There are some suspenseful parts, but there weren't too many. The book deals with the Japanese living in America being marked as traitors because of the bombing on Pearl Harbor. That was pretty interesting, but I still like adventure books. I would recommend this book to everyone who like history.

Jouney To Topaz
Journey to Topaz is a great book. I love the advanced words in it and the way that the author throws in Japanese words into it. My reading teacher said that the school didn't have enough books to supply all of us with books, so I had to get a photocopied book. But it was such a great book, I'm going to beg my parents into buying it on Amazon.com! I think my teacher should have gone onto Amazon.com and bought us books so we could have the pleasure of having a real copy! I think Journey to Topaz is the best book I have ever read, because it teaches you that not only the Jews were affected by World War 2, but the Japaneese were affected as well, just as much as the Jews. It was also a breaking to the constitutional laws. Yoshiko Uchida(the author of the book) says it was uncalled for. I think that this book is great-five stars is definitly underestimating it!

an unforgetable book
i first read this book when i was about 9 yrs. old and i still read it and i'm 15. it's a really good book and i like how Yoshiko Uchida comined real hisorical events that really happened in the internment camps and to the japanese-americans in america at that time to make the story relistic. it's is a moving stoy about yuki a girl who lives a perfectly normal life in Berkley, CA. until japan bombs pearl harbor and her life is turned upside down. i really recomend this book to anyone who'd like to read a good book. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

Great book for a young history buff
I read this book to my 6 year old who is interested in the Revolutionary war. It was hard to find a book to tell about this period of time that was fitting for a 6 year old child. He was on the edge of his seat though most of the story and begged me to read "just one more page"

It is written in journal form so you learn about the people he meets and everything that happens first hand. At the end it tells you what happened to each person from the story...the part my son found most interesting.

Great first book in the My Name is America series.
This book, the first in the My Name is America series, was very good. It is the journal of William, a twelve year old orphan working at a tavern in Boston in 1774. Will joins the cause of the Patriots who want to break free from British rule. I highly reccomend this book.

Don't read it!
It wasn't very good in my opinion. It is about a 12 year old boy in 1774. His parents die and he runs away to Boston and lives with Mr. Wilson. He becomes a patriot messenger and helps find things out about the British.

Super Mega Ultra Krunk Review
I thought this was a very good book, because of how it tells about the revolutionary war in a young boys perspective. He becomes a spy and has to do a secret mission for a man who picked him up on the side of the road. My family has never been struck by lighnting,but I have been picked up on the side of the road.

A True Patriot
The Journal of William Thomas Emerson is a story of a 12-year-old orphan boy. He makes friends in Boston, Massachusetts after his family died in a tragic fire. He learns of the horrors of the war, that he never thought was true. He loses a friend or two in the struggle for American freedom and finds that he, himself is a patriot awaiting for liberty. He puts his life in danger to help a group of patriots find the American cause. When his friend Henry is in danger, he is a true friend and finds the one thing that is necessary for him to say goodbye. This historical fiction book is a great book, and I recommend that you buy it. ... Read more

Reviews (28)

I love this fine book so much I read it to my grandparents .
I liked the idea of this book. The main idea of the book was to tell the story of two young boys , one white and one black who were complete strangers and how they became great friends during the American Civil War. The white boy's name was Sheldon Russell Curtis or Say and the black boy's name was Pinkus Aylee or Pink. Say was wounded and left for dead on a field, Pink had been separated from his company and found Say. Pink dragged Say to his mother's houser or Moe Moe Bay's house were she took care of them. She became attached to Say and cried when the boys packed to go back to the war. Right before they left marauders came and shot Moe Moe Bay, you'll have to read the book to hear the sad end.

Pinkus Aylee, I've said his name and will always remember
This is the first Polacco book that I ever read; I was instantly mesmerized. PINK and SAY is one of the six Patricia Polacco books I gave to my daughter for her birthday. She is a new second grade teacher and I wanted her to have books that have worked for me, a seasoned educator. This is another touching story written in memory of Pinkus Aylee, a former slave. During the Civil War, this young boy saved the life of Sheldon Russell Curtis (Say) who was Polacco's great, great grandfather. Although this book had a tragic ending, the story is a poignant tribute to an interracial friendship that has been kept alive through the generations of Polacco's family. I have used this book as a great multi-cultural lesson.
Polacco's family pays tribute to Pinkus Aylee by repeating his name. Through this lovely book, generations will now be able to hold his memory in their hearts.

Beautiful for young and old alike!
The first time I read this book, I cried. What a wonderfully heartwrenching and personal account of a topic (the Civil War) that most elementary- and middle-grades students only read about in dry textbooks. While younger students may not fully understand or appreciate the story and/or its underlying themes of racism and war, the basic idea of friendship will resonate with all readers.

Absolutely Fabulous
Polacco, P. (1994). Pink and Say. New York: Philomel Books.
Synopsis: This is a heart-wrenching story that brings the horror of war to life. Patricia Polacco's father told her the story when she was a young girl. Pink and Say are young men fighting in the Civil War in Georgia. Pink an African-American Union soldier happens upon Say a Caucasian soldier who has been wounded. Rather than leave Say, Pink carries him back to his home where he and his mother, Moe Moe Bay, nurse Say back to health. Marauders eventually kill Pink's mother. After this, the boys are captured by the Confederate Army. Pink meets a horrible fate while Say lives on to tell their story.

Evaluation: What makes this story so appealing is that it is based on a true story. The author does an amazing job of showing how friendship can cross color lines. She deals with such character traits as compassion and selflessness. This book would move the most emotionless person to tears. Even though this is a picture book, it is most appropriate for students 5th grade and older. The subject matter may be a bit much for younger children. This would be a wonderful book to use in a Social Studies unit on the Civil War. This book is appropriate for both boys and girls because of its universal theme of friendship. This is truly a remarkable tale for someone of any age.

Pink and Say, a great Book
This is a very good book. ... Read more

Book Description

Seymour Reit re-creates the true story of Will Knox, a nineteen-year-old boy who undertook the daring and dangerous task of transporting 183 cannons from New York’s Fort Ticonderoga to Boston--in the dead of winter--to help George Washington win an important battle. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

My thoughts on a terrible book
This book is about colonel Knox a leader of a freshly starting revolution in America. His mission is to carry around 200 cannons from Ticonderoga back to a city where British forces are docked. The main characters of this book are will Knox 19 year old brother of the colonel, colonel Knox in charge of expedition, J.P. a farmers son .I disliked this book. It drags on and never seems to end. Just when you think your going to get a fight there isn't one .the biggest problem they had on the trip was a river with too thin ice. What's so interesting about that? If I were you I would not buy this book. It is extremely boring.

From a reader of this book

A Fun Book to Stimulate Interest in History
This is a fun book that should help your youngster develop an interest in American History. It is easy to read an has great illustratiions. You will not be disappointed with this purchase. Look for others by the same author.

Guns For General Washington
Guns For General Washington is a great book because of the action and advenerture. Henry Knox, a patroit who goes to Fort Ticonderoga, a fort in New York that has at least 183 cannons, lead for bullets, flint for flintlock muskets. There were also mortars, a type of gun, howitzers, a another type of gun,and a cohorns, another type of gun. They, Henry and his brother and some others who help out, have to go 300 miles to Fort Ticonderoga from Boston and 300 miles back to Boston from Fort Ticonderoga.This takes place in Massachusetts and New York in 1775 and 1776. The conflict is that General Washington is fighting a british general ,General Howe, with no aritillery like cannons and gunpowder.This book has very good action and advenerture

Guns for General Washington
THIS BOOK WAS A VERY DETAILED AND CURIOUS BOOK. IT GAVE YOU ALL OF THE DETAILS NEEDED TO FIGURE OUT HOW THE STORY GOES. USUALLY WHEN I READ A BOOK I STOP IN THE MIDDLE BECAUSE IT IS TOO BOARING, BUT I READ THROUGH TIS ENTIRE BOOK. IT ALWAYS FINDS SOMETHING TO FOCUS ON SO IT DOESN NOT LOOSE YOUR INTREST.IT MAKES YOU REALIZE JUST HOW MANY PEOPLE RISK THEIR LIFES TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE SAFE.

Great book!
This book is a very good book. I incurage everybody to read it. It talks about all the trials and tribulations of going to get heavy copper , iron , and steal cannons taking them across a lake throught the wilderness over rocky turran and over all it's a great book! ... Read more

Book Description

A young boy and his father visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Remember.
Over a quarter of a century has passed since the U.S. involvement in Vietnam came to an end, yet the effects of that conflict are still etched throughout the fabric of our modern day society. But another generation has been born in the time since the fighting ended. Many have never heard of Vietnam let alone the fighting that went on there. How does one introduce a child to a subject that is still as electrified as the Vietnam War? Perhaps by reading THE WALL with them.

THE WALL is simply a story about a young man who takes his son to the Vietnam War Memorial to find the name of his dad. The young boy's grandfather died in the conflict and at the end of the book the reader knows the boy's head is full of questions. The story doesn't answer these questions, but allows children to verbalize these questions themselves: Why are there flags all around here? Why did that teacher say the Wall belongs to all of us? Why does that soldier not have any legs? The story can also be used as in introduction for not only the Vietnam War, but to also talking about war in general. The illustrations and the story are molded together perfectly into one beautiful harmony. Sometimes kids will be anxious during a story, but when reading this story most kids will remain completely still, taking in the simple, yet profound story. This is a great book to read to children not just during Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, or Independence Day, but at any time during the year.

A boy and his dad visit "The Wall" to find grandpa's name
For over a quarter of a century the key imperative in American Foreign Policy has been to avoid another Vietnam. Now we have a new generation of children, born to the sons and daughters of those who fought in Vietnam but never came home. How do we tell them the story of Vietnam so they understand how much it scarred the national psyche and how their is such a national resolve never to let it happen again in some way more substantial than showing them "Forrest Gump?" Eve Bunting comes up with one way in "The Wall," ably assisted by the watercolor illustrations of Ronald Himler. "The Wall" is the simply story of a little boy and his father who have come from far away to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. to find the name of the boy's grandfather.

What makes "The Wall" so moving is that instead of answering questions it will get children to ask them. Like the little boy in the story, children reading this book will see man in combat fatigue in a wheelchair because he does not have any legs; an older couple hugging and crying; flags, teddy bears and letters laid against the wall. The little boy does not ask any questions about what he sees, but I have to believe that students reading this book certainly have questions that they want answered. Whether it is used for Memorial Day or Veterans Day, or any discussion in which children are thinking about war and its consequences, "The Wall" is a very thoughtful book that should be very helpful to teachers and students alike.

All teachers should use this book in their classroom!
As a college student studying to be an elementary school teacher, I recommend that every teacher use this book in their classroom around Memorial Day and Veterans Day. This book has a great message and the fact that it is written from the boy's perspective makes it easy for students to realate to the characters.

"The Wall" is a Patriotic Book
"The Wall" is a patriotic book. It was easy to read; that made me understand how the Vietnam War turned out in the end.

The boy and his father try to find the grandfather's name on the Vietnam Wall memorial when they pass many other names. When the father reads the names on the wall, the boy imagines each name as a real person, standing next to him and talking to him.

If you are interested in the Vietnam War and how people sacrificed their lives fore us, then "The Wall" would be a good book for you to read.

I gave this four stars out of five because I found the book to be very moving. If you like books about wars, then you'll like "The Wall."

I am a teacher
I am a sixth grade social studies teacher. Yes, this book is below the average sixth grade reading level. However, I read this along with other books, orally, to my classes at the beginning of the school year. It gives the students a sneak preview as to what their studies are going to be all about. It also encourages the idea that history is not so bad after all. It should encourage them to read about history and may even introduce the genre to some students. The book also provides realism to the plight of the Vietnam War. It is a good book experience for all who read and/or listen to it. ... Read more

Book Description

This autobiographical story tells of ten-year-old Sookan and her family's suffering and humiliation in Korea, first under Japanese rule and after the Russians invade, and of a harrowing escape to South Korea. ... Read more

Reviews (32)

Great history lesson
Have you ever thought about freedom? What you ever thought about when your next meal would come? Have you ever thought about living under oppression? Living in today's world, there are many that live under fear and oppression. This is exactly what a ten-year old Korean girl Sookan is going through. She lived during the 1940's under Japanese military rule. What we take for granted today were rare commodities at the time.
I would highly recommend this book for the study of oppression and freedom in the time of war. This story although fiction really did happen in our history and is interesting to read. This story happened during World War II. However, because of what happened in the Western world, all the bad effects in Asia are almost ignored. We tend to study only our history, but there was more damage done to the rest of the world other than the Western and European countries.
One of the main universal concerns in this story is freedom. Although living in the U.S, everyone wants freedom. But what is truly freedom. Not wanting to clean our bedroom, is that freedom? Is wishing to speak your mind out loud a freedom? One of the most powerful quotes that rivet the heart is on page 164 when Sookan and her brother are trying to escape " It wasn't worth hiding anymore. It was now or never. We could see the fence..." Life and death was not a question when freedom was at hand. Many people go to great distance for freedom. This book is the best place to find it.
This book can tie into history and Language arts as the book touches all bases of humanity and survival. It is appropriate for sixth grade and up.

Year of Impossible Goodbyes
Year of Impossible Goodbyes is a great book for children between the ages of 9-12. It teaches children about other cultures and gives them some history. The story takes place in Kirimni, a town in Pyongyang, North Korea. Sookan is the main character in the story. She is ten years old. In the time of World War II, Sookan's family was under the rule of the Japanese. The family tries to flee to the South but are captured and punished. After the war is over, the Russians take control of Sookan's family. Sookan and her brother Inchun run away to the South and are reunited with their father. There are many universal concerns in this book. But one very important universal concern in this book is freedom. Sookan and her family try to do the impossible to be free and to be able to live peaceful lives. The book gives us insights to these struggles in order to gain that freedom that they strive for. I highly recommend this book to children and adults.

Year of Impossible Goodbyes
Amanda Vo
4/30/04

Have you ever read one of those books that you know you're never going to forget and just wanna read over and over again? Well, Year if Impossible Goodbyes by Sookan Nyul Choi is one of those unique books. It's about this girl, who is ten years old. She has a brother named Inchun, who she loves very much, a mother, and an aunt. This book takes place during World War II, so it gives you a lot of history, as well as a story about a girl accomplishing her fears. One day, her mother decides that the time is right to run away, to be free. Along the way Sookan and Inchun lose their mother. They have to continue their journey on their own.

This story is simply amazing. Sookan is one of my favorite characters, she has strong ambition and would sacrifice anything to help her little brother. Year of Impossible Goodbyes is still my favorite book after all this time. This definitely is a "must read" book. It will surely grasp your attention.

THIS BOOK IT SSSSSSSSOOOOOO GOOD!
This book is like the bomb!!! seriously!~ I mean at school when the teacher was reading it I was like falling asleep and then the teacher assigned us that we have to read ch.4 and I was like THANK GOD! only 1 chapter, so I came home that night and snuggled into my bed and then I was like oh chapter 4... piece of cake and then I was like reading and reading, and the I accedently read to like what ch. 8 and then we had to eat dinner so I put the book down, and then after dinner usually I go and watch TV but then today was different! I went back into my room and started reading the book again. Seriously! I CAN'T put the book down then all of a sudden I finished the book and then it was like what 8:30 so this book really grabed my attention and I'm thankful that Ms. B gave me the book to read. Now it's like I know the history of Korea and I know what really accually happen in the Korean and World war. This is an amazing book and I hope people my age (...) will read this book too!

great story, yet sad and touching.
This book has a great plot and is so descriptive that you feel like you are right there with her. This story is quite sad though, I must admitt. If you don't like sad stories, don't read it. Otherwise, GO FOR IT! ... Read more

Reviews (36)

READS AS FAST AS A DOWNHILL SLEDRIDE!
Wow--this book is hard to put down; it skims along as swiftly as the kids riding their sleds downhill (smuggling gold bullion right past Nazi soldiers), to be loaded aboard a camouflaged ship and taken to America for safe keeping. What was a simple, childhood pasttime has now beome a matter of life and death.

Based on a probably true story, but Fact or legend, it could well have happened this way. This exciting little book is a tribute to the courage and dedication to Freedom of the people of Norway during the winter of 1940, when Nazis invaded even this tiny village. No one thought they could be defeated, yet Peter's Uncle Viktor suggested a plan which involved school children in a fabulously daring smuggling adventure! If you want to read more about Scandinavian resistance to the Nazi's, try Lois Lowry's Number the Stars, set in Denmark. Snow Treasure is a literary treasure of tension, histoircal fiction which might have been historical fact!

SnOW trEasurE
Ok,when i got this book i thought it would realLY sUCK!! and guess what IT DID!!!i put this BOOK down several times the reason why i read it all the way thru is because i had to for my STUPID book report it has poor vocabulary, poor description, it confuses ME! this BOOK suCKS to the MAX!!

Best Book in the WORLD!!!!!
When I saw this book, I thought that it would be just a normal book with non_exciting parts and exciting parts. I read the first chapter and didn't put it down for the rest of the evening. I wouldn't have put it down if my dad almost yelled at me to PUT IT AWAY.
This book is about a boy and his friends who have their life in their hands. They have to hide a bunch of money and keep it secret from the Nazis. I would recomend tthis book to anyone who loves action and to learn a little bit about the Nazis.

Snow Treasure
The book I am reading is Snow Treasure. Well this book is about this boy whose name is Peter Lundstorm who never thought he would be a hero. The winter of 1940 was like no other. Nazi troops attacked where Peter lived. Well the only way Peter coud keep them from getting gold was to put the gold under all the children's sleds. Peter had to throw a snowball at the chief of the Nazi party.He did that because he tried to keep the chief from getting the gold. They put Peter on their ship.The Nazi party did not get the gold.That's all for my summary.

My review of snow treasure
Oh No! Nazi troops have come to Peter Lundstormdstorm's small village and they are trying to take it over. Peter and his friends must risk their lives and their country's treasure to save them. I hope you will read this book because it is a really, really good book. I think if you will read this book you will like it. ... Read more

Book Description

April 3, 1778

He may be just thirteen, but Jonathan knows he's ready to go to the war against the British. He can handle a gun. He yearns to battle for glory, just like his brother and cousin.

So when Jonathan hears the tavern bell toll, calling men to fight, he runs to join them. He doesn't realize that in just twenty-four hours, his life will be forever altered -- by the war, by his fellow soldiers, and by the terrible choices he must make.

Reviews (61)

My Opinion
Jonathan is a 13 year-old boy who wants to join the Revolutionary War. His father will not let him but one day he found his chance and toke it. He realized that he should of listened to his father and stayed home for he would learn a lesson of a life time. The book it's self had a good plot but the fact that the book was over within 24 hours made the book seem long, dull, and confusing. How? In some chapters alot more happened then in other chapters. This book would have been good only if it spaced out the chapters and made the book last a few days or more and not just one

Outstanding Historal Fiction War Novel
Do you want to fight in a bloody battle or fight in a war? Well Jonathan did. If you do you should read The Fighting Ground, by Avi. This book is an amazing novel. Like I said I would recommed this book to people who love war. This book will change your mind.

Jonathan learns a lesson the hard way he doesn't listen to his parents and ends up in even more convenience. Jonathat changed a lot in the novel. He finally learns to listen to his parents and ends up hating war. In this novel Jonathan has a enemy which is himself, For not listening to his parent and made lots of lies up.

I would recommed this book for all ages. It changed my mind about war. This was one of the best novels I ever read. I like the way Avi speaks, makes the people in the book seem real. Avi is great at picks spot there so unqnie.

BOOOORRRIIIINNNGGG
We had to read this 50 page "novel" for English. I don't know anyone who enjoyed this 5-week torture book. I enjoy Avi's stuff, but come on! Give me a break!! DON'T BUY THIS!!! -A disgusted young author who's expecting better things from this particular writer.

Another Reveiw
This book is about a thirteen year old who wants to go to war when his father is wounded. He runs away after marching towards some hessians. then he gets captured by three hessians overall i think this book was pretty intersting.

An Alright Novel
The Fighting Ground by Avi wasn't all that I expected it to be. The back of the book describes it to be an action packed novel about a little boy named Jonathon whose father got wounded in a battle because he fought in the French and Indian War. So when the Hessians come to Trenton, Jonathon goes to fight in place of his dad. Although his dad is not aware that he is fighting, when all the other townsmen ask he says that his dad told him to come. I recommend this book to children who love war novels. ... ... Read more

Book Description

Illus. in full color. "A fresh and moving story of a mother's dedication to acquire a coat for her daughter in post-World War II hard times. Anna's mother decides to trade the few valuables she has left for wool and for the services of a spinner, a weaver, and a tailor. Lobel's pictures do a tremendous job of evoking the period. Insightful and informative, this may make children consider how precious the ordinary can become in times of turmoil."--(starred) Booklist. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Terrific Post-War Upbeat Book
This book is a classic, and was taped by Barbara Bush as part of the Presidential Literacy Project. It begins in a post-war environment, where no one has any money. The story is not only about how a coat is made, but also about how Anna's mother trades her posessions for wool and the services of the spinner, weaver, and tailor in order to make the coat. It culminates at a Christmas party, where all of the people who helped to make the coat are invited to Anna's house, and she even goes back to thank the sheep. The illustrations are well done, and the repetitive text makes it a story that is appropriate for children from 3yrs.(my son's age) to second graders which I have taught.

About Anna's New Coat
A New Coat for Anna is a good book because it shows the cycle of making a coat. The book shows how hard it was to get a coat long ago in World War II. I think it is very educational. I bet there are lots of other people who really want to read this book. I liked this book because it was interesting how Anna's mother had to use her special things to help Anna get a coat. She had to trade the things because there wasn't much money because of the war. At the end, Anna celebrated with everybody that helped her make her coat because she was so happy that she had a new coat. I am eight and I love the book.

A heart-warming story about the harsh realities of war
As the post-war child of a family that suffered through World War II in the Netherlands, I can say that "A New Coat for Anna" has the ring of authenticity. In many ways, it reminds me of first-hand stories I heard from my parents and older siblings about the hardships--and the creativity--of ordinary people during those very difficult years.

This well-written story takes the reader through a year in Anna's life, as her mother arranges to have a new coat made by bartering with her neighbors. She trades jewelry for wool, and then a lamp to have it spun. Anna and her mother pick lingonberries together, which they use to dye the yarn red. The bartering continues as the yarn is woven and then tailored into a coat.

The story concludes with a Christmas celebration, "the best they had in a long time," where Anna invites the farmer, the spinner, the weaver, and the tailor to enjoy a Christmas cake together. Anna also takes time to thank the sheep on Christmas Day.

Even the candles on the tree in Anita Lobel's cozy illustration remind me of the Christmas trees of my childhood. Whenever I share this inspiring tale with children, I wax nostalgic and tell about the candles on our trees.

"A New Coat for Anna" drives home the harsh realities of war and its impact on the daily lives of children... and their neighbors. But it's done in a heartwarming way. Highly recommended.

It was interesting and sad.
I read this book in my third grade reading class. The best part was when Anna fed the sheep apples and gave them paper necklaces. It was sad because they didn't have enough money to buy her a new coat.

I loved it because it helped me learn about careers.
I read this story in my second grade class. This story interested me because I learned about careers. The one that interested me most was the weaver. I didn't really know what a weaver was before I read this story. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In spare, almost biblical prose, Gary Paulsen writes of the horrors of combat in a Civil War novella that puts a powerful, more contemporary spin on Stephen Crane's classic The Red Badge of Courage. Based on the life of a real boy, it tells the story of Charley Goddard, who lies his way into the Union Army at the age of 15.Charley has never been anyplace beyond Winona, Minnesota, and thinks war would be a great adventure. And it is--at first--as his regiment marches off through cheering crowds and pretty, flag-waving girls. But then comes the battle. Charley screams, "Make it stop now!" disbelieving that anything so horrible could be real. Paulsen is unsparing in the details of what actually happens on the battlefield: the living men suddenly blown into pieces, the agony and fear, the noise and terror, the stinking corpses. After many battles, Charley is wounded and sent home an old man before he is 20, his will to live destroyed by combat fatigue--leaving him with a "soldier's heart." Paulsen has received the Margaret A. Edwards Award, the ALAN Award, and several Newbery Honor awards for previous work, but this superb, small masterpiece transcends any of his earlier titles in its remarkable, memorable intensity and power. (Ages 12 to 15) --Patty Campbell ... Read more

Reviews (124)

The Horror of Combat
Soldier's Heart is a historical fiction novel by Gary Paulsen that focuses on one boys experiences during the Civil War. Fifteen year old Charley Goddard, lies about his age so that he can join the First Minnesota Volunteers, which were part of the shooting war around 1861. Charley thought at first the shooting war was just an adventure. He later found out that the shooting war was actual combat on the front lines. Charley fought battle by battle and literally saw the "horror of combat" and learned how to survive through all the battles. Soldier's Heart is based on a true account of a soldier from the Civil War, which really makes this book even more spectacular. The theme could be focused around a numerous amount of things, but mainly I believe the most important ones are: survival and responsibility. Charley goes through some tries and tribulations in order to survive and from the very beginning he was responsible by wanting to fight for and defend his country. This book was GREAT--for any age group!!!!

Gary Paulsen writes another fine novel.
Gary Paulsen's fantastic novel, Soldier's Heart, is an epic story about a fifteen-year-old Minnesota boy, Charley Goddard. Charley joins the army just in time to be sent out in the Civil War battlefield. The trip from Minnesota to the south was extravagant for this young soldier, but what he saw out in the bloody southern battlefields was nothing less than tragic for such an innocent young man. A lot the men that were in Charley's unit were rapidly dying, and he could not believe that he had made it through the battles that took so many of the men he once knew. As the novel progresses, Charley becomes less of a boy and more of a man very quickly through his experiences fighting the southern Rebels. Throughout his time in the Union army, his personality, opinions, and heart mature to that of a soldier's.

Once again, Gary Paulsen's ties to Minnesota are brought into the plot. His writing style is also very similar to that of which is in his other books, making Soldier's Heart very characteristic of Paulsen and his writing. As always, his words flow very smoothly and the storyline is very easy to follow.

Paulsen's novel is very easy to read and is suitable for anyone around the age of fourteen or older. Some of the contents of the novel are graphic and some of the language is slightly questionable for younger readers. Regardless, the detailed language of the novel is justified and is a necessary element for the realism of the story. I definitely recommend anyone around the age of fourteen or older to sit down and enjoy the writing of Gary Paulsen in the novel Soldier's Heart.

GOOD
This book is very good. It is about a boy named Charlie Goddard who is only 15 years old and wants to fight in the civil war. He pretends to be over eighteen and thinks the war is going to be fun and exciting. He nearly gets killed and learn how bad the war really is. This book is great if you know about the civil war and it always keeps you at the edge of your seat

Mike's REVIEW
I listened to this book in an hour and a half. It seemed much shorter, as it was packed with action and interesting things. It is the story of a young 15 year-old boy named Charlie as he fights in the Civil War. He is in the Minnesoata regiment, along with about a thousand others. He lies about his age in order to get into the Union Army. At first it is luxurious trains, and wonderful prades, with girls giving them candy. But then they begin to enter combat. In the first battle he is in(Bull Run) he freezes up and does not fire at the enemy at first. Eventually the retyreat from the meadow. Charlie pees himself as they cross the meadow only to find that the confederate army has left. The entire book he faces internal conflict about leaving the army, and external conflict against the confederate army, and the ferocious elements. In the next battle Charlie kills many people and is covered in their blood. His commander sent him for medical help, while there he and another man build a wall of dead bodies to prevent the rough winds from hitting the wounded. Then the final battle discoussed in this piece of literature is the Battle Of Ghettysberg. This was a the battle with the highest number of casulties in the entire war. In this battle Charlie is involved in one final charge that would decide the war... would he live, would he die, would he be shot, would they win or lose? If you want the answers of these questions you will have to read the book.

Soldier's Heart
In the book, SOLIDER'S HEART, by Gary Paulsen Charley goes into the army even though he is under 18. He is only 15 and he wants to protect his country. Paul is Charley's father but he was killed when a horse ran over him. This was the Civil War in June of 1861. One of his most difficult conflicts wasn't being caught by the sergeant becuase he is only 15 years old. Charley almost got shot at one point by the rebels. Hey say somethings that no one should ever see in their life time like people dieing and suffering. It was set around a battlefield and Gettysburg. The book had its boring parts and parts where you were on the edge of your seat. This boook is boring theres only a couple times when you just dont wanna stop reading this book. i dont recommend this book. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Review
This is about King Spartas and his wife, Helena. Helena runs off with a Trojan man and she falls in love with him. This angers the king so he gathers an army of Greek troops too to go retrieve his wife. The Greeks made a plan to get into the city of troy and take Helena from the Trojans. They built a huge wooden horse and they set it outside the shores of troy. Once it was inside the city, the Greek troops that were hiding inside came out and attacked the city of Troy. They ended up winning the battle and getting the girl back.
I think this book did a really good job at describing the events that took place in the battle to get Helena back. I think it is a good book for children to read cause it can tell them about the story while keeping their attention. I think a lot of books that are about mythology do not good a good job in that aspect but this one did. I think the author was trying to write a book about the Trojan wars that would really grab a child's attention and this one does.

good history resource
This step into reading book is geared for 2-4 grades. The chapters are short and fully illustrated. The sentences are kept short but the story still remains interesting. There is a pronunciation guide at the back of the book for those unusual names like Menelaus. Great reading for a unit study on Ancient Greece. ... Read more

Book Description

A zookeeper recounts the story of John, Tonky, and Wanly, three performing elephants at the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, whose turn it is to die, and of their keepers, who weep and pray that World War II will end so their beloved elephants might be saved. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Faithful Elephants
Faithful Elephants by Yukio Tsuchiya, translated by Tomoko Tsuchiya Dykes and illustrated by Ted Lewin, is a very moving picture book story. It describes how during World War II three elephants at the Tokyo Zoo were euthanized by starvation, because of concerns that they might escape during an air raid and become dangerous. I plan to use the story with my 4th and 5th grade reading group as part of a unit about WWII, but one thing that troubles me about using such an emotional story, is that I do not understand where fact and fiction meet here. The subtitle reads "A True Story of Animals, People and War", and the introduction also describes it as a true story. I can't help wondering though why the animals had to be killed in such an inhumane way. Did the army forbid the use of an elephant gun because they did not want to "waste" ammunition? Aren't there ways to drug even animals as large as elephants? How do veterinarians treat elephants? And what happened at zoos in other parts of the world where there were air raid attacks, and similar risks that wild animals might escape and cause problems?
After writing this review two weeks ago, I discussed the book with other teachers in my school and decided that to use it with 4th and 5th graders would be committing a kind of emotional highjacking. We read a number of books together during our WWII unit and I plan to finish up with another zoo story - Hannah's Winter of Hope by Jean vna Leewen, which tells how the people of Budapest saved their hippo from starvation during the occupation.

A moving true story...
The Faithful Elephants is one of the most heart-wrenching stories I have ever read. I use this book to introduce another book -- Hiroshima -- to the high school sophomores that I teach. Adolescents sometimes have difficulty displaying emotion when it comes to others, but that difficulty is gone when animals enter into the picture. Those kids who don't flinch at the thought of the suffering endured by other humans can scarcely hold back tears when it comes to innocent animals. The illustrations have stuck in my mind since I first read it. If you're going to be reading it to others -- read it to yourself first -- it's guaranteed to bring out tears in the least demonstrative of all of us! I highly recommend this book to everyone -- but it may bring out a little too much sorrow in the very young.

This book is HORRIBLE!! DO NOT BUY!!!
I am a 21 year old college student, who was forced to listen to this story in my choldren's lit class (used to illustrate what we should NOT read to children in our future classrooms). This book graphically describes the slow, painful, torturous deaths of three innocent elephants at a Japanese zoo. Yes, it did really happen.. and yes, war is awful... but there is no need for this type of book to be purchased or read by ANYONE. My entire ADULT class sat through this horrible book not only crying but also wondering why if these zoo keepers loved their elephants so much why didn't they quickly end their suffering with a bullet? The book implies that American troops are the "enemy" which is the reason these poor creatures have to die. Great... inaccurate ... message to share!

A difference between the Japanese and English versions
I've read this book in English and recently in Japanese with the help of a Japanese friend. The Japanese version I read was the same story, but written and illustrated by different people (a man named Mamoru Tanabe was the author of the version I read). At any rate, the Japanese version made mention of something that I don't think is included in this English translation. The official reason from Tokyo for killing the elephants was that in the event that Tokyo was bombed, the cages could be destroyed and the animals might be let loose upon the city. But the book also says that although that was the official reason, the underlying reason that government officials probably had in mind was to show the people of Japan that in this war, they would have to be ready to sacrifice anything for their country. If it was necessary, the lives of animals or even other people would have to be given up for the good of Japan. A previous reviewer mentioned the same thing, but as far as I remember the English version of the story doesn't address that idea at all. So for all those people wondering why the elephants had to die in such a cruel way, there's your answer: to show the Japanese people the true horrors of war, and make them feel ready to sacrifice anything in order to bring that war to an end.

The Elephants Story Shoudl Be Read With A Critical Eye
This story is excellent but it is propoganda. The story is laden with historical innacuracies and furthermore does not contain logic. It was used by the Japanese as a form of propoganda and was read yearly to children there. This story is great to illustrate how we can be swept away emotionally into believing things. The elephants were not killed because of the war. As a matter of fact bombs weren't coming down day and nigth at all. Had fear been the real case they could have shot the elephants with the Zoo's pistol. The truth of the matter is that these elephants were killed because they were beloved, and the government knew the people woudl rally behing their cause, thinking it was the Americans fault their beloved elephants were being killed. The elephants in that sense were killed in the name of governmental manipulation and propoganda. Enjoy ... Read more

Book Description

A Civil War drama told in sixteen voices, this ‘is a heartbreaking and remarkably vivid portrait of a war that remains our nation’s bloodiest conflict.… Fleischman’s artistry is nothing short of astounding.’ —Publishers Weekly. ‘Fleischman has done what he does best—create a unique piece of fiction with echoes of his poetry throughout.’ —H. ‘Outstanding… unforgettable as historical fiction… an important book for every library.’ —SLJ.

Notable Children's Books of 1994 (ALA)
1994 Best Books for Young Adults (ALA)
1994 Fanfare Honor List (The Horn Book)
Best Books of 1993 (SLJ)
1993 Books for Youth Editors' Choices (BL)

1994 Teachers' Choices (IRA)
Notable 1994 Childrens' Trade Books in Social Studies (NCSS/CBC)
1994 Notable Trade Books in the Language Arts (NCTE)
1994 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction for Children
1993 Choices: The Year's Best Books (Publishers Weekly)
Children's Books of 1993 (Library of Congress)
1994 Books for the Teen Age (NY Public Library)
100 Books for Reading and Sharing 1994 (NY Public Library)

1994 Silver Medal for Literature (Commonwealth Club of California)
1994 Anne Izard Storytellers' Choice Award Winner (Westchester, NY Library System) ... Read more

Reviews (23)

The Review for Bull Run
Have you ever read a book about people and their perspectives of war? You would think that reading about history is boring, but the way that Paul Fleischmann describes the characters and writes the story line is great. Bull Run takes place at the battle of Bull Run in Virginia in the 1860s.
There are twelve main characters, all with different views on the war. For example, there is a boy, Toby Boyce, who just wants to kill a Yank. Others think that the war is crazy and does not want any part of it, like a young lady named Lily Malloy. Her brother is sent off to war, and all she does is sit in a spot on the grass and wait for him to return. She thinks that the whole idea of war is wrong. The book contains heartache, drama, and a lot of action.
I recommend this book to readers 12 and older because it would probably make more sense to them since they already know something about the battle. The book only has a few weaknesses, which are that it jumps from character to character, making it hard to remember the last thing they say. Since Fleischmann made the book "short and sweet", it is an easy read, but it could use a little more information about the war and less about what the people think. Everything else about the book is great. The author writes the story line very well, making it more interesting to the reader. I like the way the he writes the book in vignette-like format.
Overall, Bull Run is great and should be read by everyone who wants to be informed about the Battle of Bull Run. Reading this makes me feel more appreciative toward those who help us fight in times of trouble.

Bull Run
My book is Bull Run. It's a historical fiction book about the United States Civil War and the first battle of the bloodiest war in American history - "The Battle at Bull Run". The facts are real, but the characters in the story are not. The reason you should read this book is because you can learn more about the Civil War. Plus, the characters made you know what is felt like during the Civil War if you were either black or white.

I really, really liked this one!!
I really liked this book! I listened to it on Audio, so I don't know how it would be to read it, but I really like this! It's told from about... 5-10 people & on the Audio, they all had very good voices for the people. A MUST READ or a MUST HEAR! LOL

Bull Run a very facinating book.
Bull Run is a very good book. It takes place during the Civil War. At a battle at a river known as Bull Run. The book starts out in the South during a battle in South Carolina. Then the story goes into how the Confederacy (south) and the Union (north) got their troops for battle. Next it goes to the Confederacy and the Union marching to Bull Run. Then the book as the battle at Bull Run in which many men die and the river flows red with blood. Finally after the battle the Confederacy helps all those who are injured even the Union soldiers.
Some of my favorite characters were Gideon Adams a black who sneaks into the army to fight in a battle. Second, is Nathaniel Epp a photographer who becomes famous when he takes a picture of a soul leaving a man's body. Finally, is Toby Boyce a fifer who joined the confederate army band just to get a chance to kill a Yankee.
I like Bull Run because it well written. I like how the author Paul Fleischman put the story into the eyes of many different people. I also like war books. They interest me and I just can't put a book down that is a bout any type of war.
I'd recommend this book to someone who is fascinated by war stories or likes the Civil War. I would recommend this to someone like that because thats what the book is mostly based on. That is my review of the book Bull Run.

Bull Run
This book was about a African American man during the civil war. The man wants to get into the war. He has to sneeck into it because he is African but he has light skin so he coud pass as white. He gets cought a few times but then gets in. But what he finds out about war, he didn't expect.

I thought that this book was a very adventurous
book and I liked it alot because it cought my mind and right when i started reading it.

I would recommend this to anyone because I didnt think that I would like this book but i really did.

A reader that would like this book would be, a adventure-war reader. ... Read more

Book Description

Based on the true story of an Armenian boy who survives the near-extermination of his race.

It is 1915 and Vahan Kendarian, the pampered youngest son of one of the most influential Armenian families in Turkey, is confident that his privileged world will always include the house he loves, the laughter of his brothers and sisters, a sense of belonging. But when his uncle disappears and his father is taken away, when two brothers are shot before his eyes in the family garden, Vahan's world shatters. "Be steel," his father had always said when something tested his son's character. "Steel is made strong by fire." What is about to occur is Vahan's fire. In the next three weeks he will lose his home and know hunger and thirst for the first time. In the next three years he will become an orphan, a prisoner, a beggar, a servant, a stowaway in order to survive. He will meet and be befriended by the Horseshoer of Baskale, a Turkish governor famous for his practice of nailing horseshoes to the feet of his Armenian victims. He will live in a Turkish village, posing as a deaf mute and falling in love with the daughter of the only man in the village who guesses he is Armenian- and who is determined to kill him because of it. He will witness the murder and deportation of his neighbors and friends. And he will discover inside himself reserves of strength and courage he did not know existed.Based on the experiences of the author's great-uncle during the Armenian Holocaust, Forgotten Fire is the story of one boy's search for the survivor inside himself. It is the story of a lost nation-a powerful celebration of the resilience of the human spirit during the darkest of times. ... Read more

Reviews (29)

Excellent
This was a very touching book about the Armenian Genocide. It is a story told through the eyes of a little boy; son of a wealthy prominent Armenian Lawyer that loses everything. It's a very easy to read book that was very fascinating to me (I couldn't put the book down); I was able to read cover to cover in about a week. The author does an excellent job of portraying the horrors of the Genocide, the cruelty of man, the courage of a young boy as he struggles to survive...this book should be made to a movie. I would not recommend this book to younger readers as there are strong references to rape, molestation and cruelty. However, I would strongly recommend and encourage reading this book to high school students.

The Best Novel on the Armenian Genocide
I read this book two years ago and its impact is still fresh in my mind. The point of view of this story ... from the eyes of a child ... is creative and strong. I could not put this book down. I have recommended this novel to all of my friends and was thrilled to see that it was on the summer reading list of required books at the local high school. Finally, through the words of an Armenian author, the youth of our nation will be educated in the Armenian Genocide. Pass the word on to your local schools. A word of caution... there are portions of the novel that deal with sensitive issues, apart from violence. Teachers and parents should be made aware of this fact, yet use it in educating the students as to the ultimate brutality of the genocide. Thank you Adam Bagdasarian, your ancestors are smiling down at you and thanking you for such a moving novel. "Abrees!"

A story of survival
I was asked to read this for school and I was quite intrested in the book. I finished the book within the 2nd day I rented it. It was a real page turner for me. Things happen so fast in this book. It's a book containing all emotions

Vahan Kenderian goes from a rich man's son to a beggar and goes through a journey to survive and not get killed by the Turks. In this story, Vahan loses several loved ones but he continues until he finally reaches freedom.

I highly recommmend this book

Easy to read, hard to comprehend
A quick read but boy was it gu