Ashes

Ashes

3.57 of 5 stars 3.57  ·  rating details  ·  497 ratings  ·  132 reviews
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 sister's boyfriend raises his arm in a heil Hitler salute, and the Schramms' family friend Albert Einstein flees the...more
Hardcover, 318 pages
Published February 4th 2010 by Viking Juvenile (first published 2010)
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Ellen
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Caterina
Ashes, though shelved as YA at my library, skews decidedly younger than the demographic we now consider YA -- a demographic that is better thought of as NA, New Adult. The heroine, Gaby, is thirteen and recognisably so; she's neither dumbed-down nor overly sophisticated. She's exactly what I imagine a girl of Weimar Berlin would be, especially one with friends like Albert Einstein.

Spoilers ahoy.

(view spoiler)[Lasky goes to great lengths to show her research. She sets the scene in an author's no...more
Mary Skramovsky
Newbery award winner Katherine Lasky is the author of several Dear America series books, the popular Owls of GaHoole series and of Burning Time. Ashes takes place in Germany 1932, right before World War II when Hitler is coming into power. Gabrielle Schramm is 13 and lives with her older sister Ulla. Gaby is intelligent and is reading Jack London's Call of the Wild. Her Mathematics professor confiscates the book. It is the second book that this teacher has taken from Gaby this year. Tensions mou...more
Ed
Dec 04, 2012 Ed added it
Lasky, Kathryn. (2010). Ashes. New York: Penguin Putnam/Viking. 320 pp. ISBN 978-0-670-01157-5 (Hard Cover); $16.99.

Gabriella and her family watch in horror as brown-shirted Nazis rise to power in Berlin in 1932. Gabriella’s father is convinced that the Nazis are a political fad that will fade.

We have plenty of children/young adult novels that deal with Hitler in power and fewer that deal with Hitler’s rise to power. In this book readers understand that part of Hitler’s rise to power is because...more
Joy
When we think about WWII and the tragedy of the Holocaust, most of our thoughts are dominated by the victims, the Jewish people themselves. As well it should be. However, there were plenty of innocent German people that were in the country too that "stood by". Or did they?

This story tells about Hitler's rise to power and its effect on the academic community through the eyes of a Gaby, a child. Her father, who is friends with Albert Einstein, demonstrates small acts of resistance. Gaby herself s...more
Lizzie White
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
Marjorie Ingall
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
Eva Mitnick
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 subject. Ashes me...more
Jackie Doty-abbott
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. Gabby be...more
Kristin
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 and the her family act...more
Judy Desetti
Feb 05, 2012 Judy Desetti rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Gina, teachers of literature, history,
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Josiah
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 w...more
Leslie
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Cornmaven
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, it moves way...more
Handd51
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 directly that...more
Melina Romin
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Amanda
Gaby is a thirteen-year old girl, coming of age during turbulent times. Hitler is coming into power and people seem to be going crazy all around her. Suddenly, people she has known her entire life think that it's acceptable to treat Jews as less-than-human and to burn books.

Gaby tries to make sense of all that is happening--her father's colleague and close friend of the family, Albert Einstein is being threatened for his "Jewish physics," and her sister's boyfriend may be a Nazi. What's wrong wi...more
Scottsdale Public Library
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.-
Olivia
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
Grace
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 makes it...more
Eva Leger
Jul 12, 2010 Eva Leger rated it 3 of 5 stars
Recommended to Eva by: library
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 Einst...more
Nina Gayle
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 she discusses the facts...more
Kay Mcgriff
Most World War II/Holocaust literature I’ve read focuses on Jewish survivors of Nazi crimes or the people who helped them. Kathryn Lasky chooses a different lens to focus on the horrors of the Holocaust in Ashes (Scholastic 2010).

Gabriella Schramm, known as Gaby to her friends and family, is a German girl growing up her Berlin in the years that Hitler is rising to power. Her intellectual parents are worried about Hitler’s growing influence while the family’s housekeeper approves of the directio...more
Sarai
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 sister’s boyfriend...more
Margo Tanenbaum
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 confis...more
Kathryn Spencer-kociol
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
Meggen
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 this da...more
Rachel
I read this for 5th grade historical fiction book clubs. I thought it may be too difficult for this age group and I think I'm right. The questions the kids are asking are very basic history questions and we haven't yet gotten to the point where Gaby starts obsessing about whether or not her sister is "doing it" with Karl. I will be very interested to see what the kids think of the ending.

On a personal note, I really enjoyed this book. I liked the characters and how they stuck to their values. Us...more
Emma H.
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
Melanie
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 have an explanation of...more
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Kathryn Lasky is the American author of many critically acclaimed books, including several Dear America books, several Royal Diaries books, 1984 Newbery Honor winning Sugaring Time, The Night Journey, and the Guardians of Ga'Hoole series. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Her latest book, Guardians of Ga'Hoole Book 15: The War of the Ember, was released on November 1, 2008. Guardians of Gahoo...more
More about Kathryn Lasky...
The Capture (Guardians of Ga'Hoole, #1) The Journey (Guardians of Ga'Hoole, #2) The Rescue (Guardians of Ga'Hoole, #3) Elizabeth I: Red Rose of the House of Tudor, England, 1544 Marie Antoinette: Princess of Versailles, Austria - France, 1769

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