Milkweed

Reader reviewed by Angelica

I'll admit it: I'm a Jerry Spinelli fanatic and his book Milkweed tells the story of an orphan who goes by Misha Pilsudski and his life as a thief in Warsaw. This story takes place in the prime of the Nazi takeover of Warsaw. Misha is at first taken in by his friend Uri, a redhead Jew but is eventually "adopted" by Janina, his friend, and her family. They are taken to the ghetto, where all the jews live. They struggle to survive from day to day, and when disaster strikes, Misha must face facts.... alone. Jerry Spinelli weaves an intricate tale of hate, war, and its aftermath.

Reader reviewed by Peacechik

This book was sooo weird. I didn't like how it gave all those details about his chopped off ear and stuff. I don't think its a good book to read if you really want some facts about the Holocaust. Even if that's what it is about, its too personal to really be informative. But if you just want to read about the Holocaust, just to be doing it, then this book is for you, I don't recomend the ending though.

PEace

Reader reviewed by Teresa

I read this book before I introduced it to my sixth graders. After reading the book I purchased thirty copies for a class set. I am currently looking for lesson plans, so I can instruct my students and allow them to find out what a terrific find this is. This book is a teacher's dream. It is full of teachable moments. Not to mention,full of history. I will definitely read this in conjunction with the teaching of Social Studies.

Reader reviewed by bookworm9

A young orphaned gypsy-- later dubbed Misha-- wanders the streets of Warsaw stealing food. He cannot remember his past, and doesn't know much of anything until he falls in with a group of fellow young theives and urchins. An older boy named Uri keeps Misha safe until the Nazis round up the Jews and gypsies into a ghetto. Here, Misha finds that his small size and his ability to steal are very useful, and he helps to feed himself and the family of his young friend Janina, whom he comes to regard as a sister. When Janina's father charges Misha with protecting his daughter, Misha tries his best, but that may not be good enough.

This was a strange book. Spinelli's books are usually humorous, and while this topic is not one that lends itself to comedy, he does attempt to create his usual bumbling, child-hating adults. Misha is naive rather than goofy, and his relationship with Janina is poignant but never sentimental. The story was good, but the ending, which flashes forward to present-day Misha, seemed far-fetched and unnecessary.