Emil And Karl

by Monique
(Australia)

A book that I have enjoyed recently has been "Emil and Karl".
This book was written by Yankev Glatshteyn and translated from Yiddish to English by Jeffrey Shandler.

The moving story of Emil And Karl's life is set in Vienna and is about two boys, one Jewish and one not. The story begins with Karl sitting in his apartment shocked after is mother has just been taken away and arrested by the Nazis.The men that have taken her away, have attacked Karl and threatened to return for him. Karl, realising that he is in great danger, runs away from home and goes to his Jewish school friend, Emil. Emil's father has also been taken away from the Nazis and his mother soon dies. Emil and Karl now have to fend for themselves in a world of discrimination and unkindness. Brave strangers risk their lives to help Emil and Karl survive through the worst of the Holocaust.

You will definitely enjoy reading this book if war genre books are a favorite of yours and if you have loved reading the stories: Milkweed, Boy in the Striped Pajamas and Anne Frank's Diary.

I recommend this book to boys and girls the ages of 12-15. This book will be very handy if you are studying the Holocaust in history and need detailed information on what the Nazis did to the Jews.

I really loved this book because coming from a family that is always here for me and by my side, showed me how lucky I was that I have a family and I felt deep sorrow and sympathy for Emil And Karl because they had no parents and no home. This book has opened up my mind on how lucky I am and has showed me a different side to life!