This book was so cozy! I'm not usually a fan of Gothic literature, but somehow combined with a plucky (JEWISH, y'all should have told me!) heroine, coThis book was so cozy! I'm not usually a fan of Gothic literature, but somehow combined with a plucky (JEWISH, y'all should have told me!) heroine, complicated characters who surprised me, and a smol, puppy-like baby creature, and a hefty mystery was the perfect recipe for a Kate book. I highly enjoyed it! It did go darker than I was expecting, but never too dark for me.
I almost gave it five stars, but there were two things that took away from my enjoyment. One, the pacing felt a little bit off, and two, the issue of the Abbey passing into private property from belonging to the Catholic church (as mentioned in this review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...). There were some other positive portrayals of Catholicism that I believe were meant to balance this out, but it's worth mentioning....more
So sweet with really important themes about waiting on the Lord. I had fun learning more about YouTubers' lifestyles and reading about a Jewish characSo sweet with really important themes about waiting on the Lord. I had fun learning more about YouTubers' lifestyles and reading about a Jewish character! ...more
Another picture book I was quarantined with, and I'm so glad I was, otherwise I may have missed a gem. ;)
The illustrations are beautifully done, and Another picture book I was quarantined with, and I'm so glad I was, otherwise I may have missed a gem. ;)
The illustrations are beautifully done, and I learned so much more about this amazing, brave woman and the resilient children (and adults) she saved. I was especially moved by the account of the records she kept hoping to reunite families one day. <3
Given the serious subject matter, I would recommend this book for older readers or with parental guidance for young ones....more
I’ve loved everything I’ve read by this author, so when my sisters brought this home from the library (and I suddenly remembered it was on my TBR XD),I’ve loved everything I’ve read by this author, so when my sisters brought this home from the library (and I suddenly remembered it was on my TBR XD), I was excited to read it. ;)
This book covers a time period in history I knew next to nothing about, so frankly--I was geeking out. :D 1939 France in the “free zone”. Also, the Tour de France? Why have I not heard of this?? :D :D
Because this was packed with fascinating history, it was a little slow in spots, but the author did a good job keeping the historical facts mostly to some pretty cool appendices in the back.
Marcel was a nice, relatable character. I liked his ordinary bravery and his courage to push himself for the sake of others. Also, three cheers for a great relationship with his parents! And their delivery system they had worked out was amazing. (Sidenote: I want some of that spice cake.)
Best quote: “Dark came quickly, along with a cold and stinging rain. The bike he had traded for was not as good as his old bike, so he had trouble maneuvering over some of the rougher patches. Still, Tour de France riders didn’t stop for rain, and neither did he.”
Altogether, this was an interesting story of bravery, determination, and compassion. I hope this author writes more soon. ;)
I love this book so much, and I love the movie adaptation! My mom read this aloud to us as a family, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Just a warning thatI love this book so much, and I love the movie adaptation! My mom read this aloud to us as a family, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Just a warning that there a few parts to skip because of women agents. ;) ...more
I vaguely remember this book as if it had been read to me when I was a young child. But I'm so glad to have finally experienced it in full. What a claI vaguely remember this book as if it had been read to me when I was a young child. But I'm so glad to have finally experienced it in full. What a classic, beautiful picture of history. ...more
Oh, wow!!! This story made me cry so hard!! It's technically written for children, but the story and writing are so good that I claim it. I loved the Oh, wow!!! This story made me cry so hard!! It's technically written for children, but the story and writing are so good that I claim it. I loved the child's perspective on immigrating to America during the early days of World War II, her fear of wearing a yellow star, and her heartbreak over having her family torn apart. There were also some sweet instances of every day life, and the doll theme was pretty cute. It is such a beautiful mix of sorrow and hope!
Best quote: Claudine thinks of the coals. They didn't look dangerous at all; in fact, they looked quite ordinary, even a bit dull. But then there were other things that seemed dull or ordinary and turned out to be dangerous. Words in the newspaper. Or a scrap of yellow cloth, cut into the shape of a star.
Altogether, I thought this was a masterful, sweet story perfect for readers of all ages....more
Heads up! This book is very heavy on expletives along with a few rude comments/scenes. My opinion is based on an edited copy. ;)
From the opening pagesHeads up! This book is very heavy on expletives along with a few rude comments/scenes. My opinion is based on an edited copy. ;)
From the opening pages of this book, the writing style is simply delicious. The author used perfect original word pictures that delighted me. I smiled over Himmel Street soccer, reading lessons with Papa, and sketches of Max portrayed as a bird. I grew to love every character (even Frau Holtzapfel!) except the Fuhrer. I didn’t know how much I had grown to hate him until I cheered inwardly when (view spoiler)[his picture was stepped on (hide spoiler)]. I cried my eyes out over various sections of the book, but the ending just did me in. I could barely make it through the last ten pages or so. *huge grin* It was very long and artistic (perfect for a rainy day! <3) and the writing style made it feel like a real biography.
In order to properly gush about the book I must review the characters themselves. I think I’ll talk about them in ascending order of my favorites. ;)
Rosa Hubermann: Giver of watschens and fierce love. Rosa is a tiger mama. Downright frightening at some points, but she’d give her life for her family or those in her care if called on to. At the beginning of the story she’s one dimensional and frightening; but by the end you love her and understand her so much better. My favorite part with her was when (view spoiler)[she comes to school to get Liesel (hide spoiler)]. The only thing I didn’t like was that she was responsible for 75% of the foul language. She calls everyone by a derogatory term which is eventually seen as endearing when we find out how she actually loves them. (Although, I still find calling someone you love those names a bit twisted.)
Rudy Steiner: Jesse Owens and the boy whose hair was the color of lemons. Oh, Rudy. He steps on my heart, that boy. I didn’t really like him in the movie--to me he was just an immature little squirt who was looking for a kiss. In the book he is all of those things, but he was also growing into a very good young man. I really started to love him (I nearly died when (view spoiler)[he gave that Allied pilot a teddy bear (hide spoiler)]) and wanted to see him mature even further. One of the things he did was very Hans Hubermann of him; and, even though his code of conduct is a little mixed up, he was an oddly chivalrous and hilarious best friend to Liesel. ;)
Best quote: In the middle of the exchange, Liesel tripped on a bump in the floor. A mannequin followed her down. It groped her arm and dismantled its clothes on top of her. “Get this thing off me!” It was in four pieces. The torso and head, the legs, and two separate arms. When she was rid of it, Liesel stood and wheezed. Rudy found one of the arms and tapped her on the shoulder with its hand. When she turned in fright, he extended it in friendship. “Nice to meet you.”
Liesel Meminger: the book thief and (view spoiler)[wordshaker (hide spoiler)]. She was the main character. The one who (view spoiler)[read aloud to her neighbors, brought Max a snowman for Christmas, and stole a smoking book (hide spoiler)]. The one who hated the words and loved them. The one who planted the seed. The one who (view spoiler)[was always left behind (hide spoiler)]. When the story starts out, she doesn’t understand what is going on at all. (At one point it’s described as “the Jews were going to Dachau to ‘concentrate’. Whatever that means.) The crisis she has when she realizes what going on is very interesting. (view spoiler)[I think Max’s book was meant to prepare her for that. It was so sweet of him to write it. (hide spoiler)]
Best quote: She didn’t dare to look up, but she could feel their frightened eyes hanging on to her as she hauled the words in and breathed them out. A voice played the notes inside her. This, it said, is your accordion.
Hans Hubermann: the man with the accordion heart and silver eyes of kindness. Papa is pretty much trying to stay out of politics when we first meet him, but when he decides to do what is right it’s impossible to stay neutral. I really loved him. He’s so comfortable, caring, and conflicted. He treated Liesel as if she were his own daughter and offered to teach her to read even when he could barely read himself. <3 He had so much soul and gave so much.
Best quote: “Better that we leave the paint behind,” Hans told her, “than ever forget the music.”
Max Vandenburg: the Jewish fistfighter who stole the sky. (<3 <3 <3) (Of course, he would be my favorite since he’s a writer.) ;) When Max comes to Himmel Street he is so broken by the world’s opinion of him and his own guilt and memories. (The author did such a good job with his backstory!) He and Liesel shared a beautiful friendship, and the basement sessions were some of my favorite parts of the book. I loved the books (view spoiler)[he wrote for Liesel (hide spoiler)], and the effect they had on both of their lives. It was also amazing of him to (view spoiler)[leave their house when he thought he would endanger them (hide spoiler)]. I really loved this character. (And I’m part of the camp that is convinced he (view spoiler)[married Liesel later on (hide spoiler)].) ;)
Best quote: They sat a few meters apart, speaking very rarely, and there was only the noise of turning pages.
There is one more character I should mention. I really can’t decide what I think of him.
The Narrator: Death. I understand why the author chose this storytelling device (a very witty and good one too!). Who would be better to narrate a story during wartime? It was also important to the point of the story, but I found it odd how he could just (view spoiler)[arrive and collect a soul whenever someone died (hide spoiler)]. What exactly did he do with them? I really would have appreciated God being in the story at this point.
While I really LOVE this book and underlined way too many amazing quotes, I wouldn’t recommend this story for anyone younger than highschool age even with an edited copy. This is a war story; and, while most of the descriptions are handled suprisingly well, everything having to do with the (view spoiler)[Holtzapfel brothers particularly the chapters “The Snows of Stalingrad” and “The Ninety-Eighth Day” (hide spoiler)] are very violent. Also, the children have a dubious code of conduct, since stealing is a major theme of the book. ;) If you would like something less artistic and less violent, I suggest the movie on a language filter. ;) (Although it’s so abridged that the book is really better…) ;)
I loved this book soooo much! It was so broken and beautiful. I wish I could leave you with more quotes or give you an edited copy and make you read it. For now, I’ll just have to hope that this review did its work. ;)...more
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