Language: PG (5 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (described violence from Kristallnacht, bullying, racist language)
BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
11yo Max is sent to England as his parents try to send him to safety from the Nazis. He hates that he was sent away, but as the family in London is kind to him, the bullies are terrible to Max because he is Jewish and he wants to find a way back to Berlin. One of the Montegue uncles is a navy spy, and Max, smart and clever, volunteers himself for the job. No one would send a Jewish boy back to Germany, but Max just needs to prove himself to the right people.
Max has a couple of magical creatures riding on his shoulders as he joins the kindertransport; a kobold and a dybbuk who are the providing comedic dialogue for the reader, and extra problems for Max as he is the only one who can see and hear them. It's like having Danny Devito and Billy Crystal comment on everything you do. I loved it! A serious topic, a child is separated from his parents who have likely been swept away to a prison camp, Max's resourcefulness and spunk makes for an exciting read and a great history lesson. Gidwitz has set us up for book two.
Max is Jewish and German, the rest of the characters are British.
Lisa Librarian
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