This is not at all what I expected from Kaestner, even tho I am not sure what I expected exactly.

I'm certainly glad to finally read this as I only know his children's books. 

 

This is another book that has been lingering on my shelves for years and probably would have been stuck there for even longer if it had not been for the 2018 Mt. TBR Project.

2.5

I'm doing a train display at work and was so excited when I found this title because the first third part of the book takes place on a train.

That is until I read it.

Oh my gosh--it was so so so boring. By the time it got interesting it was so far along I almost resented it for having taken so long for the exciting parts to happen. And then, they had cake with Mr Kastner, who was a character in his own book.

Other reviewers have said most of his other books were banned by the Nazis but not this one because it was too popular. Maybe this is just one of those cultural things that doesn't quite translate properly.

Glad I read it but also glad I didn't order $12.99 copies of a book most kids would probably hate and I mostly finished on my bus ride home.

 

 

***I also read a 1960 Scholastic Book Club Edition which are their own very special breed of coolness!

 

2.5

I'm doing a train display at work and was so excited when I found this title because the first third part of the book takes place on a train.

That is until I read it.

Oh my gosh--it was so so so boring. By the time it got interesting it was so far along I almost resented it for having taken so long for the exciting parts to happen. And then, they had cake with Mr Kastner, who was a character in his own book.

Other reviewers have said most of his other books were banned by the Nazis but not this one because it was too popular. Maybe this is just one of those cultural things that doesn't quite translate properly.

Glad I read it but also glad I didn't order $12.99 copies of a book most kids would probably hate and I mostly finished on my bus ride home.

2.5

I'm doing a train display at work and was so excited when I found this title because the first third part of the book takes place on a train.

That is until I read it.

Oh my gosh--it was so so so boring. By the time it got interesting it was so far along I almost resented it for having taken so long for the exciting parts to happen. And then, they had cake with Mr Kastner, who was a character in his own book.

Other reviewers have said most of his other books were banned by the Nazis but not this one because it was too popular. Maybe this is just one of those cultural things that doesn't quite translate properly.

Glad I read it but also glad I didn't order $12.99 copies of a book most kids would probably hate and I mostly finished on my bus ride home.

Click to request this sweet, darling classic on Kindle; make an old lady happy.