 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Milkweed
- By Jerry Spinelli
- Genre: Historical Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Disturbing book on Holocaust provokes discussion.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is a very disturbing book -- and it is meant to be. The plot deals with the realities of being Jewish in Nazi-occupied Poland during World War II, as seen through the eyes of an innocent child forced to steal food and change his name to survive on the streets. There are also mentions of human torture, explosions, death and, of course, the Holocaust.
What's the story?
He's a boy who has lived on the streets of Warsaw as long as he can remember. He remembers no name, other than Stopthief, no parents, no home. But he's small and quick, so he manages to find enough to eat, and places to sleep -- until the Nazis come.
By then he has a name, Misha, given to him by another street boy. He has also befriended a girl, Janina, who has a family. So when Janina's family is herded into the newly created Jewish ghetto, Misha goes with them. He is able to slip in and out of the ghetto at will, so he brings food for Janina's family, as well as for Dr. Korczak's orphanage. But even for a survivor like Misha, conditions soon become unbearable -- and Misha must decide where he belongs.
Is it any good?
This is a well-written book about the Holocaust, it's worthwhile and valuable. Yet coming from Jerry Spinelli, it is still somewhat disappointing. This is an author who is known for highly original and stylized fiction that packs an emotional wallop. But this straightforward novel keeps the reader at a certain emotional distance, and provides little historical context, either in the story or in any author's notes or even references. Children reading it, who do not already know about the Holocaust, will not find it very informative. The story moves right along, keeping the reader turning the pages but it somehow doesn't pack a huge emotional punch. Perhaps Spinelli was trying to protect his readers a bit. If so, he has been too successful.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the real-life events that led to the circumstances described in the story . Why were Jewish people singled out by Adolf Hitler and the Nazis?
What other types of people were targeted for imprisonment in Nazi"death camps"?
What would it have been like to be Jewish during thistime?
What types of sacrifices would Jewish families have had to makein order to survive? In terms of the book, how do you think Mischamanages to remain hopeful despite the horrors of the Holocausthappening around him?
Would you have been able to survive on your ownas he did?
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AGE
awesome, very educational
I love this book so much, and it's definitely one of the best Holocaust books there are (and I've read a lot). Somehow, all the tragic events are all the worse from such a naive perspective. It's the first book I've read that addresses the Warsaw Ghetto rather than the concentration (really death) camps. Definitely a must read.
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AGE
Know your kids and read the book first
Yes, this book has tough subject matter, so it's important to know what your kids can handle before you let them read it.
Personally, I found the character who smothered children in his belly to be highly disturbing, and had difficulty shaking him from my mind's eye.
However, my 11 year old wasn't as nearly as disturbed and was able to read it without any negative repercussions (nightmares or such)
We both felt it was an excellent read and written from just the right perspective. Spinnelli is master story teller.
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AGE
Teenagers
I really liked the book. It was a very catching story. I read it in 2 days. Very hard to put down. Its a sad book though. And i dont think its right for younger kids. I would say about 13/8th grade. Because by then youve heard about the war a little bit more in history class and stuff, so it wont rise questions or create confusion either. its a wonderful book though. Jerry spinelli is very talented.
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AGE
Perfect for people hoping to gain understanding of the holocaust
I thought that it was a brilliant book. I loved the way the main character seems to survive even though he the most ignorant. I think that even though it contained some bad role models, nudity and smoking, without some of these you really couldn't get a full understanding of the book and holocaust.
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AGE
good book
This book is very interesting in the fact how Misha has no remembrance of his past life and seems very new to life. I especially liked how they ended the book by telling you what happened instead of letting you “make up your own ending”. Even though this book was based on a sad time I found it funny for when Misha would run up to Buffo and call him “Fatman!” I especially like this book because it reminds me of one of my relatives who is completely clueless to what is going on around him. I also liked the author’s perspective of Misha always having a go with the flow attitude. One more thing that reminds me of something outside the book is when Janina and Misha weren’t “brother and sister” they were best friends but once Misha started living with the Milgroms they started to act like actual brother and sister, getting in fights all the time over stupid reasons. So, all in all this has been one of my favorite books.
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AGE
Holocaust
Jerry Spinelli has done it again! This book was very exciting and funny. It kept me Interested the whole time I read it. This is not only funny, it's a book describing the horrors and the insanity that happened during World War II. This book is definitely a great book for everyone ranging from the ages 11-16. It will well improve the knowledge of the war to all who read it. It is a great book and one of Spinelli’s best. ~Tyler
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AGE
awesome book
i thought that the book was good but taught that w need so stay with our friends till the end
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Kid, 12 years old
November 13, 2009
AGE
Wringer
Cool book. I suggest to kids in sixth through eighth grade
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AGE
perfect for kids
i love it it is an awsome and spectacular book and children aproprate you should buy , read , and pass it on to a freind!!!
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| Author: | Jerry Spinelli |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Historical Fiction |
| Publisher: | Alfred A. Knopf |
| Publication date: | September 13, 2003 |
| Number of pages: | 208 |
| Hardcover price: | $15.95 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 10 - 14 |
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