This was listed on Goodreads and shelved at the library as YA, but I feel it is more juvenile than that. Yes, the subject matter is deep and there are a lot of disturbing images brought up, but this is historical fiction covering a very disturbing aspect of war, specifically the Holocaust. I kept wanting to put it down because it was written in a style I find more for children's books, but I was compelled by the story itself to keep reading. I highly recommend this book to parents and teachers who want to really open the eyes of 5th to 9th grade students.

This book was okay.

Good points: The childlike narrator was endearing, and his innocence drew you into the story as you worried about what he would do nest.

Weaknesses: Felix made terrible decision after terrible decision, and it became less intriguing with each unwise move. The other weakeness that I noticed was the ending. I hate non-endings in books. Felix, Zelda, and Chaya jump from the death-camp-bound train, Chaya is killed, and that's all. The rest of the book is alright, but I feel as though the author shied from the probable ending to the book, and then did not know where to go, so he ended it. My point is that it's a weak ending.

I do recommend this book, but I won't read it again.

AWESOME BOOK!!
Felix is a young Jewish boy who begins his story in an orphanage—where he thinks his parents have placed him until they figure out their ‘troubles.’ Felix escapes the orphanage to find his parents & soon realizes how serious the troubles are for the Jewish people. For awhile Felix hides in a cellar with others and then, when found, is put on to a train car. The story ends with Felix and his friend Zelda escaping the train car and running off to find his parents! Can’t wait to read Gleitzman’s sequel ‘Then!’ Great HF book for upper elementary and middle school! Loved it! ❤️

Felix lives in an orphanage run by nuns in the mountains Poland waiting for his parents, who are Jewish booksellers, to return for him when their business improves. However, this is 1941 and their return is unlikely. When he discovers Nazis are burning books, he escapes from the orphanage to warn his parents. However, back in his old village everything has changed and he is chased away: his old life has been taken and he is no longer welcome there. So he follows the road to the town where he sees a burning farm and rescues a small girl, who he can only imagine must be in the same position as he is. So begins his adventure with Zelda; his surrogate sister whom he adores and will do anything for no matter how hard their journey is and no matter what the struggle. This is the story of their quest, their relationship and their survival together against all the odds at the most dangerous time in history to be a small, Jewish boy almost entirely alone...

This novel has so much to recommend it and although I have not read 'The Boy in the Striped Pajamas' I am reliably informed that they have similar qualities and that this is, if anything, even better. I would certainly suggest that this is a great introduction to younger readers learning about the Holocaust as it deals with this truly devastating topic with sensitivity and understanding. Felix's narrative voice is utterly convincing and draws us into his personal story as much as he uses inventive stories to draw in Zelda and help her cope. There is something both engaging and deeply moving about the naivety of his perspective. For example, he initially believes that the Nazis are burning books simply because they don't like them. The sense of place is also imaginatively conveyed by Gleitzman as he captures both the forests of Poland and the horrifying march of Jews on the dusty roads to the Death Camps.

However, the book is ultimately incomplete. There are three more books in the series and at only 140 pages, this one feels as if it has been broken off half way through and thus unfinished. There was a lack of resolution or even clarity about the ending and whilst I have no doubt that this will come in the sequel, 'Then', it still fills like a bit of a publishing trick to split what feels like one book into two.

Nonetheless, this is a sensitive and emotional portrayal of a horribly dark time in history that Gleitzman at once exposes the reader to, but at the same time, gives us a sense of a hope and even an uplifting message through the nobility of his central character. Although brief and perhaps a little sentimental at times, this was a harrowing and darkly engaging tale that would be perfect for younger readers.

I saw this book reviewed on a list of "best" books although I don't remember best of what anymore. It obviously caught my attention, though, so I checked the book out and read it one evening. It's a young adult novel - particularly good for middle school age, in my opinion. It's well-written, thoughtful, engaging and honest without being overwhelming. This seems to me to be an almost impossible accomplishment given the subject matter. And even though I say this is well suited for younger readers, I believe anyone of any age could appreciate this book. Recommended.

I have a little bit of an obsession with stories revolving around the Holocaust. So, when this book came across my desk I knew I was going to read it.

Felix is a young Jewish boy who was sent to a Catholic orphanage by his parents in an attempt to keep him safe from the Nazis. Felix believes that he is there just while his parents take care of their bookselling business. Three years later, when the orphanage is visited by soldiers who burn all Jewish books, Felix naively believes that all Nazis just hate Jewish books and that he must leave to find his parents.

Thus starts his adventure leading him from the countryside to a city Jewish ghetto. Along the way he meets Zelda, a 6 year old and brings her along with him.

I didn't learn anything new with this book as I've read copious amounts of fiction and non-fiction on the subject. But this one is one of the better at showing the experience from the eyes of a child and from showing how even those who were going through it were still denying the magnitude of the horror.

I am looking forward to the next two in the series.