The Berlin Boxing Club
-
-
4.6 • 81 Ratings
-
-
- $13.99
-
- $13.99
Publisher Description
Sydney Taylor Award-winning novel Berlin Boxing Club is loosely inspired by the true story of boxer Max Schmeling's experiences following Kristallnacht. Publishers Weekly called it "a masterful historical novel" in a starred review.
Karl Stern has never thought of himself as a Jew; after all, he's never even been in a synagogue. But the bullies at his school in Nazi-era Berlin don't care that Karl's family doesn't practice religion. Demoralized by their attacks against a heritage he doesn't accept as his own, Karl longs to prove his worth.
Then Max Schmeling, champion boxer and German hero, makes a deal with Karl's father to give Karl boxing lessons. A skilled cartoonist, Karl has never had an interest in boxing, but now it seems like the perfect chance to reinvent himself.
But when Nazi violence against Jews escalates, Karl must take on a new role: family protector. And as Max's fame forces him to associate with Nazi elites, Karl begins to wonder where his hero's sympathies truly lie. Can Karl balance his boxing dreams with his obligation to keep his family out of harm's way?
Includes an author's note and sources page detailing the factual inspirations behind the novel.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
As he did in My Mother the Cheerleader (2007), Sharenow delivers a masterful historical novel that examines racism through the eyes of both children and real historical figures. This story follows aspiring cartoonist Karl, a 14-year-old Jewish boy in 1930s Berlin who is on the receiving end of beatings from his Aryan classmates (Karl's cartoons and comics appear throughout). His father's friend, boxing champion Max Schmeling, agrees to train Karl as a boxer so that he can defend himself and his younger sister, Hildy. As the Nazi regime gains power and influence, it becomes clear that Germany will eventually not be safe for Karl and his family. Over the course of a few years, Karl craves the freedom of moving to America, falls in love with his Catholic neighbor, Greta, and meets a cross-dressing homosexual called the Countess, forcing Karl to confront his own prejudices. The assorted plot threads and immersion in the worlds of art and boxing make the novel a bit crowded, but Sharenow's deft touch with his characters and his portrayal of turbulent prewar Berlin more than compensate. Ages 12 up.
Customer Reviews
The Berlin boxing club 👊🏼
This book is one I would highly recommend to any of my friends!!!!!! I find the book highly intellectual. This book is not only about a young Jewish boxer but about so much more like:
A younge man struggling to save his family in time of need.
A boy learning how to control his emotions just enough to make him a man!
My personal opinion on the book and the author would be a five star anytime. Because of the reasons I listed above and many more!!!
So if your reading this comment I am telling you that you should read this book and find out all of this for yourself!!!!!
NEEDS A SEQUAL
This book was so good that i read the whole thing in 2 DAYS!!! I was trying to find a fan mail account for this author but there is nothing. HE NEEDS TO WRITE A SEQUAL!!!
Awesome
Well i totally recommend this book. I borrowed a book from my friend because i needed one for TCAP and i finishes it at tue end of testing!!