Based on a true story of World War II.
For 12-year-old Petros, World War II feels unreal and far away. What’s real is working i... read full description
For 12-year-old Petros, World War II feels unreal and far away. What’s real is working i... read full description
reviews
Feb 03, 2011
Marsha
rated it: 
This was an interesting story, but I didn't care for the writing. It is based on the true story of the author's husband. Petras is a young boy in Greece during World War II. His family had come to America, where he was born an American citizen, but had gone back to Greece in 1932 because their store failed during the depression. When the Germans occupied the small village in which they lived, they were terrified the Germans would find out they had ties to America, and so they buried or burned ev
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Jun 29, 2010
Jonathan
rated it: 
Loved this book.
It's a story about how resistance comes in many forms. This is the story of a greek family in a small town that stands between the German army and the Suez Canal. Two brothers enlist their friends to help resist the occupation in small ways. Eventually, they are placed in a situation where they are forced to grow up a bit more and their bravery is tested. They grow in independence and as a family. Based on true events, this tells a not-often-heard side of WWII.
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It's a story about how resistance comes in many forms. This is the story of a greek family in a small town that stands between the German army and the Suez Canal. Two brothers enlist their friends to help resist the occupation in small ways. Eventually, they are placed in a situation where they are forced to grow up a bit more and their bravery is tested. They grow in independence and as a family. Based on true events, this tells a not-often-heard side of WWII.
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Mar 22, 2010
Lori
rated it:
Couloumbis' story is slow in the beginning---so much, I almost gave up completely---but patience paid off in this original story of WWII. Petros' family has immigrated from the U.S. to Greece, and when the war breaks out, they find themselves unable to safely travel back to the U.S., and incredibly having to house Germans. The story tells of the Resistance and of American ex-pats living in Greece during the war, a story that is seldom if ever told in YA literature. Once the author sets up the st
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Jun 18, 2010
Laura
rated it:
I found this book particularly interesting, since it took place in Greece during the Nazi occupation (which I knew little about). Petros and his older brother Zola are American born, but have lived in a small village in Greece for nearly their entire lives. While the Italians have occupied Greece for some time, not much harm had come to the Greeks. However, when the Germans arrive, change and fear soom become apparent. Petros and his family are forced to keep secret their American connection,
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Mar 22, 2011
Nolan
rated it:
this book was reaaaaallyyyy sloww, in the beginning and really hard for me to read. It is based on a true story about a family who left the US and went to Greece. As the war broke out, they found themselves stuck there, no way home to america.
Petro's, the younger brother is 12 years old and very sweet hearted. Now his brother, Zola, is competitive and a couple years older. Zola has to be number 1, he has to be first. The boys feel like the war is years away, when yet, it is right arou More...
Petro's, the younger brother is 12 years old and very sweet hearted. Now his brother, Zola, is competitive and a couple years older. Zola has to be number 1, he has to be first. The boys feel like the war is years away, when yet, it is right arou More...
Feb 07, 2011
Jbachelder
rated it: 
Maine Student Book Award Nominee, 2010-2011. Historical fiction book set in Greece during World War II, this book is based on the true story of the author's husband as a young boy. Petros lives the good life in a small Greek village playing marbles with his friends, climbing trees, tending his garden and his goat, until the Germans come to town. Now everyone is afraid and mistrustful. The German commander takes up residence in his house, and Petros and his family are terrified that the Germa
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Feb 07, 2010
While slow-moving at times, I was glad I stuck with this WWII story that takes you with immediacy to wartime Greece. I really felt that I had a look at life in a Greek town in the 1940s--not looking back at it, but living through it. And, sorry if this is a superficial comment about a serious book, but the meals they prepare, even under spartan conditions, sound absolutely delicious. (Wendy, you should read this book; you will really appreciate the food.)
I hope students who are interes More...
I hope students who are interes More...
Jan 15, 2010
Victoria
rated it:
Based on a true story, this book follows the actions of Petros and his family as the German army is occupying his town and house in Greece during WWII. They are trying to hide his cousin who is wanted by the Germans for several reasons. The war and occupation put an end the the carefree, secure life he's known thus far. He is both frightened by and in awe of the German commander who occupies his house and shows the family his human side. Almost everyone involved needs to rationalize their ac
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Aug 26, 2010
Ms.
rated it:
WAR GAMES tells of a the German invasion of Greece during World War II from a boy's perspective. Based on one of the author's own experiences, one gets a feeling of the emotions -- fear, excitement, impatience, resentment, resignation -- that many go through during times of war. Focusing on one boy and his family, with glimpses of others in his village, the reader can imagine what life was like during this time period.
Books about World War II are very popular with the middle grades. More...
Books about World War II are very popular with the middle grades. More...
Jul 12, 2010
Samantha
rated it:
MSBA Nominee 2010/2011
This is my least favorite of the war offerings on this year's MSBA list. Petros is a boy in WWII Greece who is picked on by his older brother Zola. The Italians are already hanging about, and there are rumors that the Germans will move in at any time. Petros and his brother get involved in some dangerous games in an attempt to help the war effort. Based on Akila Coloumbis' life.
This is my least favorite of the war offerings on this year's MSBA list. Petros is a boy in WWII Greece who is picked on by his older brother Zola. The Italians are already hanging about, and there are rumors that the Germans will move in at any time. Petros and his brother get involved in some dangerous games in an attempt to help the war effort. Based on Akila Coloumbis' life.
Jun 10, 2010
Lori
rated it:
An OK book that takes place during WWII. I think it suffers because of so many excellent books in the same subject. There just wasn't enough to get me 'in' to the story and the characters. It was fairly superficial, almost felt like an abridged version. Interesting story, just wish it was more fleshed out.
Dec 29, 2010
Rosie
rated it:
This unusual story takes place in Greece during the German invasion of WWII. While it was interesting seeing the war from a Greek family's point of view, I wish there was a little more background to the story. It was interesting, but fell a little flat for me.
Mar 08, 2010
Linda
rated it:
Set in Greece during the early years of WWII when the Germans invaded there enough action and sibling interplay in this one to keep the interest of boys who are dreading the "read historical fiction" assignment. It is based on real life of the author's husband.
Feb 14, 2010
Barbara
rated it:
Very disappointing. The first thing from JLG that I didn't love. I kept wandering off. The book did not keep my interest. The subject matter was interesting, so I think it was the storytelling that I didn't like.
Jul 11, 2010
Deborah
rated it:
Fictionalized account of a true story of a family in Greece when the Germans occupied the country in WWII. The family's children have dual citizenship in Greece and America and the family fears for themselves. A German commander moves into their house and the fear rises.
Jan 11, 2011
Dotty
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This started slowly, but really picked up one third of the way through and was worth sticking with it. Character of Petros showed the growth of maturity in the face of war.
Nov 30, 2009
Penny
rated it:
It is World War II. The Germans have invaded their Greek village and Petros and his family must protect their secrets. Based on a true story, this title covers new territory.
Aug 30, 2010
Mrs. Lorenzo
rated it:
This book was really slow to start, but worth sticking out in the end. This is a great story about courage and consequences.
Jul 26, 2010
Chris
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This story took me by surprise and I ended up enjoying it completely. The story of Petros and his family in German-occupied Greece during WWII was suspenseful and thrilling. The author did a superb job of rendering the stories of her husband's childhood.
Mar 09, 2010
Chris
rated it:
An interesting look at Greece during WW II, not a subject often covered in most books about the war.
Feb 08, 2011
This boy Petros lives in Greece with his older brother Zola and family. There is a war going ono between Greece and Germany. At his house sometimes German soldiers come and kind of bother them, by like taking food from their garden. In his town Italian soldiers stay there to fight on the border. Petros has goats and when his goat had babies there was only males and to them that was bad luck. So they go and trade with their uncle for a female. Petros uncle Spiro gives him a marble with an america
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Sep 05, 2010
Joan
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Based on a true story, this shows how children can adapt to new situations and survive. Petros and Zola grow up with the dangers of World War II literally in their own house. They still play their childhood games, but now they take on a whole new meaning as they play to survive. This courageous and heartwarming story stayed alive in Akila Couloumbis' mind for a lifetime. With the help of his wife, he published it before his death last year. I am glad he shared this story with the world.
Oct 10, 2011
Becky
rated it:
I was a little disappointed. It was a little slow to start and then finally picked up. Did not get really excited until the very end of the book. Definitely good for an adolescent (which is the audience I think the book was written for) but I was personally expecting more from the book.
Sep 20, 2009
Heather
rated it:
This book almost failed my "50 page rule" The first few chapters were so slow that I almost gave up on the book. I'm so glad I didn't. It's really different WWII story based on the life of the author's husband.
I reccommend this for students in 5-8th grade who need to read historical fiction/WWII book, but don't want a holocaust story.
I reccommend this for students in 5-8th grade who need to read historical fiction/WWII book, but don't want a holocaust story.
