Goodreads Mobile | see what your friends are reading

May 15, 2011

Ellen rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Feb 05, 2012

Lizzie rated it:

Ashes by Kathryn Lasky is a first-person narration of what life was like in Germany during Hitler’s rise to power. This story of Gaby Schramm and her family is about standing up for what is really, truly important to you. The plot of Ashes is very original, as it is a Holocaust historical fiction, yet it tells the story of not a Jewish protagonist, but a German one. The setting of this WWII story is very accurate and it definitely adds to the story by taking place in Germany. I noticed as I was More...

0 comments like

Nov 30, 2010

Marjorie rated it:

Suffers from a slow beginning, but it gathers steam super-fast. It’s the story of 13-year-old Gaby, a pretty, book-loving non-Jew in 1930s Germany. Her father is an astrophysicist at the University of Berlin, a colleague and friend of Albert Einstein; her mom’s best pal Baba is a fabulous Jewish society columnist. Gaby’s life seems sweet – luscious descriptions of parties, society events and fabulous outfits will delight fashion-loving girls -- but the Nazis are gaining power and anti-Fascist in More...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Sep 04, 2010

Eva rated it:

There are plenty of books about the Holocaust, for all ages and from all points of view. In Yann Martel's Beatrice and Virgil, this is problematic for the main character, a writer named Henry, because he has written what he feels is a fresh allegorical look at the Holocaust, only to realize (thanks to his editors) that in fact he has covered the same ground in the same way as countless others.

This is the challenge for any writer covering this intense, fraught, and oft-described More...

1 comment like (2 people liked it)

Jun 25, 2010

Jackie rated it:

Gabriella is living the typical life of a 13-year-old school girl in Berlin, Germany, during the time leading up to the rise of Adolf Hitler. Gabby's family is German, but they are not in favor of Hitler and live in denial that he could actually gain a following in Berlin. Gabby's father is an astrophysicist and associates with the likes of Albert Einstein and other Jewish physicists. Much of the story revolves around the family's friendship with Einstein and other close Jewish friends. Gabb More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Apr 23, 2010

Kristin rated it:

As I was browsing Barnes and Noble Kathryn Lasky's latest book cover caught my eye. Without even reading the synopsis, I knew Ashes would be about some aspect of the Holocaust and World War II. I love when I stumble upon great book finds!

Ashes is a very well written novel that takes place during 1932 and 1933 at the very beginning of Hitler's rise to power. The main character, Gaby, is a teenager whose father is an astronomy professor. Her father works with Albert Einstein an More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Feb 05, 2012

Judy rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here

0 comments like

May 03, 2011

Josiah rated it:

There are so many books out there that deal with the torturous trials and horrors of the rise of Nazi Germany from the perspective of those who were being afflicted by the new Third Reich instituted by Adolf Hitler, but Ashes is of a very different blend. It's easy to forget how many Germans were strongly opposed to the Aryan supremacy rhetoric that was being doggedly pushed by their intense Führer in the early 1930s and beyond. Germany of that era is often broadly painted as a nation bent on More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Aug 12, 2010

Leslie rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here

1 comment like (1 person liked it)

Jul 18, 2010

Cornmaven rated it:

This is just a so-so WWII historical fiction book. Its value lies in that it traces the lead up to the war, and the political situation that fueled Hitler's rise to power. Most YA novels on WWII start with the war having already begun, and Hitler's reign established and running.

Having said that, I find several things problematic about this novel. First, it's purely a girl book. The storyline is nothing that would interest a boy - which knocks out half your potential market. Second More...

0 comments like

Dec 28, 2010

Handd51 rated it:

Lesky is a brilliant writer, and this book is very good - but I'm not sure for what age. Gaby Schramm is 13 in Berlin in 1932. Her father is a non-Jewish friend and associate of Einstein, a "white Jew" according to the rising Nazi thinkers; her mother a talented musician and piano teacher. Her older sister a budding violin player who gets distracted - and knocked up - by a boy who is active in the Hitler youth as Hitler is coming to power. There is a scene where Gaby realizes very dir More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Mar 19, 2011

Scottsdale Public Library added it

It's 1932 Berlin, and Adolph Hitler is starting to become extremely popular. This is the story of one family's stance against the rising Nazi party, as told by a 13 year old girl who loves to read and is nervous about losing her freedom.

Note for parents: There are a couple swear words and passing mention of some mature themes. Best for grades 6 and up.

-Beth M.-

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

May 22, 2010

Olivia rated it:

This was another great historical fiction read. It was refreshing because it took on a different point of view, it was not the same old same old. Gaby and her family are living in Germany in the early and mid 1930's before WWII. This was very interesting because you could see Hitler's rise to power and how just an everyday citizen (like Gaby's family's housekeeper) could be swept off their feet by Hitler. It was also nice to see Gaby's family stick up for their Jewish friends and never backed do More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Sep 20, 2011

Grace rated it:

This has to be Kathryn Lasky's best book. Setting is Berlin in the 1930's. Through a sensitive and brave 13 year old girl's eyes, the story is about the rise of Hitler and his brown shirts and how they slowly strangle the freedom of speech and thought. Each chapter felt like the world was closing in more and more. The story and the history are seamlessly intertwined and the writing is clear and concise and brilliant. There was very little violence in the book, nothing about camps, which m More...

0 comments like

Jul 12, 2010

Eva rated it:

3.5 - I have this listed as 'Holocaust' for my own personal knowledge but it maybe shouldn't be. If I had a list for this time period titled something else I'd use that but being that I don't and I don't think it's worth it for me to make a new one I'll use this.
I flew through this and can say for sure that the only aspect I did not like was the use of actual people in the book. Maybe that's because I don't usually read much historical fiction but it's strange to me to add the real Albert More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jun 27, 2011

Nina Gayle rated it:

This book was written from the fascinating perspective of a thirteen year old girl, Gaby, dealing with the horror of Nazis taking over Germany. Gaby is a compassionate and intelligent girl. Sometimes she is very courageous in confronting the Nazis in her life and sometimes she is not. Gaby is a well-rounded and realistic character.
I really like the historical information given by the author, Kathryn Lasky. Ms. Lasky, wrote a foreward entitled "About this Book" in which s More...

0 comments like

Jun 21, 2010

Sarai rated it:

This was an interesting read. I could have done without the quotes at the beginning of each chapter, and after a while I started to ignore them. But the plot was compelling and the characters well-written.

Product Description
Thirteen-year-old Gabriella Schramm’s favorite pastime is reading. With Adolf Hitler slowly but unstoppably rising to power, Gaby turns to her books for comfort while the world around her changes dramatically: The streets become filled with soldiers, Gaby’s More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jul 26, 2010

Margo rated it:

This is an interesting book about a German academic family in Berlin in 1932. Gabriella's father is a physicist, and Albert Einstein is a personal family friend. Her mother is a former professional pianist, and they have lots of Jewish friends and acquaintances. But as the Nazis are coming to power, everything begins to change for the worse. Her sister's boyfriend turns out to be a Nazi, as does her favorite high school teacher, and she and her family are disgusted when the Nazis begin to co More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jun 16, 2010

Kathryn rated it:

This book was excellent on so many levels! Unlike Lasky's Night Journey, the plot is sparkly new and original, a refreshing change from some of the youth literature that deals with Nazi Germany and the Holocaust. The characters were all realistic and personable, and Gaby makes for a very likable heroine. The emphasis is on the transitional government of The Weimar Republic, and the political terror and individual acts of violence witnessed by Gaby and her friends are told with realistically chil More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Mar 24, 2011

Meggen rated it:

This book really sucked me in, but it was hard to read. This is the story of 13-year-old Gaby, a young German girl watching the transformation of the political climate in her country leading up to WWII. The rise of Nazism and Hitler, and the persecution of Jews (and other undesirables, like scientists) are increasing all around her. She can see and feel how wrong these things are, but often feels trapped and unsure about how to handle it all. Gaby's family is affected in dramatic ways by thi More...

0 comments like

Feb 06, 2012

Emma H. rated it:

Ashes, a book told in first person point of view, is set in Germany during the Holocaust. Gaby, the main character, struggles with being a teenager during Hitler's rise to power. The characters are credible because they are put in a real time period of history. I didn't think the theme was worth while or important, because I didn't really like the book. The book in particular was somewhat inappropriate, and I didn't find the main theme and idea to be about the Holocaust. The setting wasn't very More...

0 comments like

Mar 15, 2010

Melanie rated it:

Thirteen-year-old Gabriella Schramm, "Gaby", lives in Berlin, Germany. She tells the story of the changes in Germany as Hitler takes over the country. She is confused by the growing anti-Jewish sentiments; especially what it means for family friend Albert Einstein. Gaby is also horrified by the growing popularity of censoring and subsequent burning of books.

Lasky lists actual historical figures in the back of the book and fully explains who they were. However, she does not More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

May 18, 2011

Cball rated it:

Some tween books can be read and enjoyed by the older folks. This is not one of them. Based in Berlin just as Hitler is taking power, Lasky does a good job retelling history. However, since I already knew that story, I wasn't so interested in rehashing the progression of Adolf through a book. Girl tweens, however, will enjoy this one. Gaby is 13 and is watching history unfold around her. At the same time, since she is 13, she has other issues to deal with as well. The combination of being More...

0 comments like

Mar 21, 2011

Jaime rated it:

I love it! i cant wait to find out how it ends! right now (11:08pm on 3.21.11) i am at the part where she and her friend, Rosa, are at the cabarnet- the chameleon. im not really that into history related books but this one ive had for a week and have read almost 150 pages and am in love with it (and im not the fastest reader ill admit it nor do i read every time i have a free minute). this book is in the time period of hitler and the nazis and the jews. i find that time period and the salem witc More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Aug 22, 2010

Ramarie rated it:

Laden with historical details, this is a compelling read, even if those historical details threaten to bog down the book. Set in 1932, Gaby is the 13-year old narrator, whose family of German intellectuals watches with dread as Hitler rises to power. Gaby sees the changes in her everyday life, through their housemaid, her sister's boyfriend, and even a beloved teacher. Physically, Gaby is the epitome of Aryan beauty, but her family and their beliefs are completely the opposite. She is a spiri More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Apr 10, 2011

Kim rated it:

I really admired the protagonist, Gabriella, in this novel-she may not alwys have done the right thing, but she was willing to admit it and examine what happened. I have read many novels set during this time period, but I enjoyed how the author subtly wove historical figures into the narrative. I won't be able to share this with my 5th graders because it mentions sex- but would readily share it with 7th graders. For a more more mature audience then Number the Stars, but not as intense as Stones More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Nov 08, 2010

Leane rated it:

Well, I would love to give you the review this book deserves...but I can't. I 'm still way too distracted by the unusually large amount of errors I found in this book. I'll start by saying that I have an unusual talent for finding typos in books. So, on average, a person finds about 1 of 2 errors per book, correct? This book had anywhere between 10 and 15 typos. One page even had 3. This become the main focus of the book for me and I spent the second half screaming in outage that the publi More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Dec 31, 2009

Rebecca rated it:

Thirteen-year-old Gabriella Schramm lives a comfortable and happy life with her middle class family in Berlin, Germany in 1932. Her father is a scientist who studies and teaches physics at the university. Because of his work, Albert Einstein is a friend of the family. Gaby enjoys reading books, going on after school outings to the zoo and the movies with her best friend, Rosa, and spending summers at her family's vacation home by the lake. Her biggest worry up until now has been the teacher who More...

0 comments like

Sep 08, 2010

Susannah rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jun 11, 2010

Beth rated it:

Thirteen-year-old Gabi Schramm lives in Berlin in 1932, on the eve of WWII. Through her eyes, readers learn about the rise of Hitler and the Nazis and how this affects Gabi's schoolmates, teachers, and Jewish friends, including Albert Einstein, who is a colleague of her scientist father. This is an intriguing look at a pivotal time in history, but Gabi and her friend's interest in boys and information about who is who's mistress make this totally unsuitable for a religious audience.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

reviews