Real Time: A Multi-Voice Young Adult Novel About Holocaust Legacy and Identity in Modern Israel

by Pnina Moed Kass

Set in contemporary Israel, this powerful novel is narrated in real time by many Sixteen-year-old Thomas, from Berlin, seeking answers to questions about his grandfather, a Nazi officer in World War II. Vera from Odessa, reclaiming her Jewish heritage. Baruch Ben Tov, a Holocaust survivor. Sameh Laham, illegally employed at a diner. His boss. Sameh’s friend Omar. A Palestinian doctor in an Israeli hospital. A mother. A soldier.
A newscaster . . .

Minute by minute, hour by hour, these lives and many others unfold—and then intersect in one violent moment on a highway outside Jerusalem. Each is drastically and irrevocably changed. What do secrets, hopes, dreams, and future plans mean after such a catastrophe? Can what was destroyed be made whole again?

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Jewish, Terrorism, Read For School, Teen

192 pages, Paperback

First published October 18, 2004

About the author

Pnina Moed Kass (פנינה קז, born 1938) is an American who has lived in Israel for more than thirty-five years. She is a professional writer whose credits include short stories, television series, and picture books.
Pnina Moed Kass has been living in Israel since 1968.
After teaching high school English for a number of years she decided to take a break and go back to writing. Her writing background in the U.S. had been as a lyricist (ASCAP member), a staffer at the magazine,

Reviews

[Eui Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Use of First Person Perspective, Multiple Points of View, and Real Incidents in Real Time
After the fourth war between Israel and Palestine in 1973, Palestine had to give up almost 60% of their territory, including Jerusalem, to Israel. As a result, majority of Palestinians lost their land, home, and property. Due to famine and shortage of money, Palestinians often had to go out to Israel where they would be unfairly treated and get arrested for illegally working. The book, Real Time, by Pnina Moed Kass, is a realistic fiction showing conflict between Israel and Palestine during 1995 like the ones above. To be more precise, it portrays conflicts between terrorists, patriots, soldiers, students, civilians, doctors and many more. The strong point in this book is that it doesn’t convey only the facts or story of one single character, but delivers stories of various characters in order to show the story to the readers more objectively so that it gives them a chance to think about the incidence from all perspectives. But how did the author did that to effectively reach the author’s goal for the readers? She used first person perspective, multiple points of view, and a main incident based on a real story.


People often say that experiencing is better than thousands of words. In other words, if people experience, they can get the idea more easily than reading explanations in words. The author wants to convey the story and the theme effectively to the readers by setting the point of view of the story into first person perspective. If to give some examples, “I unzip my backpack and stick my hand in” (3), “Yes. I was trying to get around the yellow van” (86). All of these sentences from the book are written in first person perspective since they all have “I” as the subject. A first person perspective means that the character of the story is talking directly about themselves from in-body perspective. In this case, it has some advantages such as the fact that it gives the readers the feeling of being the character him or herself and being in the actual story. By using this, the author is able to help the readers better understand what it feels to be involved in a terrorism event by providing liveliness, sense of realism, and a chance to think from the character’s perspective.


Throughout the story, there are various perspectives that appear. In other words, there are many different narrators in one book. Why not just one? What does the author able to gain by using multiple perspectives? In order to comment that a story can contain various stories and to bring the story more objectively. In order to propose this, the author states the speaker and their location at the change of each perspectives: “Thomas Wanninger Departure terminal, Schonefeld Airport” (3), “Baruch Ben Tov Kibbutz Broshim, Judean Hills” (10), “Sameh Laham Olive grove, Judean Hills” (21), “Dan Oron. An army base somewhere in Israel” (22). Various perspectives in only twenty two pages. Multiple points of view means that the readers can hear one story from various people. One narrator means, one story and, one translation. However, multiple narrators, means multiple stories and different translation of the situation. This can help the readers think more objectively about the incidence. How the terrorists thought that attacking Israel was a patriotic act for their motherland, Palestine, and how the Israeli civilians thought that all Palestinians were just a bunch of terrorists., and the victims in fear of terrorism. All these in one story can help the reader experience different explanations and think more objectively about the event.


The main event of this book, the bus attack, is actually, based on a real story, which took place in Israel. According to Wikipedia, in 1995 Israel, a bus to Kfar Darom was attacked by a suicide bomber carrying bombs in a van, just like in the story. Seven Israeli soldiers and one American civilian died, and the event was remembered as the Kfar Darom bus attack. The Shaqaqi faction of the Islamic Jihad, claimed responsibility for the bombing. As you can see, the main event in Real Time is based on a true terrorist attack. Because of that, the author can help the readers understand better about the event(terror) or even a part of the main idea. The author described the main event just like the terrorist attack: “The bus driver beeps his horn at the yellow van. The van driver holds something large and black. He looks up at the bus. I can see his face. It is Omar. Why is Omar here? Number 9 bus from Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem Explosion.” (77) At this point, the actual terror occurs. Readers who already know about this can understand the story better, or find it more easy what the author is trying to say, such as conflict between Israel and Palestine, innocent victims killed in terrorist attacks and so on. Or, the author might be able to attract readers who are interested in this kind of field or even people who are related to this event.


In it’s final analysis, the goal of the author of this book is to convey the theme of the story effectively to the readers. In order to tell and support the theme, the author used three other ways, which are using first person perspectives, writing in multiple points of view, and using an event that actually happened in real life as the main story. By using multiple points of view, the author is able to bring the story to the readers more objectively, and deliver the idea that a story may contain many different ones. This method is supported by first person perspectives which are contained throughout the story. The narration done by first person perspective can give liveliness to the readers which can help them understand better about the story, idea or even the theme. Also, to make it interesting for the readers, the main story of this realistic fiction is based on an actual event that occurred in 1995, Israel(Kfar Darom bus attack). Setting a story based on a true story can attract readers who are interested or even related to this kind of field. With these three combined, first person perspective, multiple points of view, and a story based on an actual one, the author is able to effectively deliver her message to the readers.

[Leutrim Bajramaj · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished my booo real time. This book is absolutely one of the best books I have read so far due to the action and adventure this book has. Also, I enjoyed this book because I am into history, and this book takes place in 1940s during the Second World War.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's about a few people who all come to Israel, and the descriptions of their lives and how and why they came here. But when they were all on a bus outside Jerusalem, it got bombed and all of them got seriously hurt, and all of their lives changed forever after this 1 event. The book gave a really good description of their lives and how they got changed after the 1 event. The action and suspense kept me reading this book for a long time. This book was really good!

[Jennifer Sommer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story takes place in Israel over the course of one week and is told from multiple perspectives. A 16-year-old German boy, Thomas, is coming to live on a Kibbutz to work in the gardens. The garden is run by Baruch Ben Tov, a Holocaust survivor. Vera is a 19-year-old girl also working in the garden who comes from Odessa. Sameh is a 16-year-old Palestinian boy who works illegally in Jerusalem and also agrees to become a suicide bomber. Following the terrorist act in which a bus is blown up, the reader can see the impact this has on each character and those around him. No answers are given. It simply shows what it is like to live in contemporary Israel. The cycle begins again at the end when another terrorist act occurs and Israel again retaliates. This book is easy to read. It would be of interest to teens in grades 8 and up, and to those who are interested in world events and understanding world religions.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts off with Thomas, a 16 year old boy from Berlin. He’s heading to Jerusalem in order to find out about his Oppa’s Nazi history for his fathers dying wish.

From there we meet a number of different characters. A couple of Islamic lads, the holocaust survivor, the Russian volunteer and her Argentinian best friend…

*Trigger Warning*

Thomas brings everyone’s story together. He’s sitting on the bus with Vera when the suicide bomber strikes; if he hadn’t decided to go on his mission to find the truth then the whole ordeal would not have happened to the volunteers. The author paints a vivid scene of horror that is beyond words.

It is eye opening to see the story from different sides of the coin. Highly recommended if the content matter is not too distressing to the reader.

[Madison Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real Time by Pnina Moed Kass was a fascinating story written from the perspectives of multiple individuals. It is narrated by sixteen-year-old Thomas, from Berlin, seeking answers to questions about his grandfather, a Nazi officer in World War II; Vera from Odessa, reclaiming her Jewish heritage; Baruch Ben Tov, a Holocaust survivor; Sameh Laham, illegally employed at a diner; His boss. Sameh’s friend Omar; and a Palestinian doctor in an Israeli hospital. Real Time shows us how these certain people were specifically impacted by the effects of the Holocaust and World War II. This was a very well-written book that everyone should read!

[Izzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

This book was a really interesting concept and takes place over only a few days. Its fast pace, and is told from multiple perspectives. However I could have done with a bit more. I felt it was too short with not too much resolution. That being said I still thought this was a beautiful story with an array of different character perspectives.

[Anne Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Israel, the first half of the book happens in less than twenty-four hours, Six or seven characters lives are intertwined as they become victims or are the terrorist of a suicide bomber. Though not my favorite book it is well-written and shows both sides of the explosive environment that the Jew and Palestinians deal with daily.

[Maria Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never quite read a book written in such a manner before with the times and the different perspectives jumping back-and-forth. And yet, this book was such an eye-opener and so very powerful on so many levels. It definitely is worth the read!

[Sara Card · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish it shared more about the reasons for the Palestinians feeling desperate enough to bomb the bus.

[Emma DeVore · Rating 3 out of 5]

good book! confusing at some parts and i wish it gave more as to what happens after, but it was definitely a good read!

[Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in 2004, I’m reading this book almost 20 years later. After a few pages, I realized that I was going to be reading events from several different perspectives. You have to be mindful of who is speaking at any given moment. Many back-stories are given to help us understand each character. It’s important because the main story takes place in less than a week.
The author left us hanging about the next terrorist attack! Maybe it was to symbolize that this conflict has been around for many centuries, and will most certainly continue until the end of all things.
It was a good read. I wish that some of my students would read it. It’s a good education.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Jocelyn Pearce for TeensReadToo.com

REAL TIME is set in contemporary Israel, telling a story in real time, in which the lives of so many people come together, minute by minute. The narration switches back and forth between several different characters, telling one story but also many stories.

These characters include Thomas, a German boy who has come to Israel looking for answers about his family. Baruch, a Holocaust survivor who now works on a kibbutz. Vera, another kibbutz worker who is finding her Jewish roots and escaping her tragic past in Odessa. Sameh, a Palestinian working illegally at a diner. Saheh's friend Omar, a reporter, and many, many others. All of these people are different, looking for different things, but there is a moment when all of their lives come together, and it is a tragedy.

So much sadness, so much despair, is evident. Can there be healing and hope for those who survive this tragedy? Only time will tell.

This novel is a breathtaking story, but it's more than that. For one thing, it's a behind-the-scenes look at what is usually seen only on television. And yet it's more than behind-the-scenes; it's the secrets, thoughts, hopes, and dreams of every person involved. The way this story is told, in (as the title suggests) real time, switching back and forth between several narrators, is a part of what makes it amazing. If just one character told the story, so many aspects of it would not be seen. Pnina Kass Moed is a brilliant writer, and the story she tells in REAL TIME is equally brilliant.

[Rebecca Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taking place in Jerusalem, the story is told through multiple points of view, all of which lead to a tragic event that brings these people together. Thomas, a sixteen-year-old from Berlin who has come to Israel for answers about his grandfather, a Nazi officer in World War II; Vera, a nineteen-year-old from Odessa who is reclaiming her Jewish heritage; Baruch Ben Tov, a Holocaust survivor; Sameh Laham, a Palestinian who is illegally employed at a diner; Sameh’s friend Omar; and sprinkled throughout, many others speak as well. The terrifying event that brings them together is a Palestinian suicide-bombing of a bus on the streets of Jerusalem. The incidents leading up to this event give a view into the difficulties the people living here go through every day.
This book seems to present Palestinians only as suicide bombers or those who praise them. Though there are some moments where there seems to be a humanity placed on them, the Palestinians portrayed are all either suicide bombers and those back home who are proud of what they sacrificed, those who make them into martyrs. The only exception being an Arabic doctor at the Israeli hospital, who is presented as intelligent and caring in his treatment of all patients, even those who are Israeli. This book would be beneficial, to one that portrays the opposite view, especially if there is a comparative discussion involved. It is appropriate more for high-school aged students, so might not be appropriate in all instances for comparative study with younger students.

[MsAprilVincent · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book stretches over a four day period during which a suicide bombing takes place in Israel.

Real Time is told from many different points of view--almost as eyewitness accounts--over a period of a few days, both before and after a suicide bombing in Israel.

Though it would be easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer number of stories presented here, I found myself fully drawn into the plot and unable to put the book down. The characters are not flat or one-dimensional, and the author gives the reader the opportunity to view them both with the stereotypical response and a more compassionate one.

Having lived safely in the U.S. my entire life, it's difficult to comprehend the fragmented, almost paranoid, outlook of those who live in war-torn countries. In addition, I've never thought about the motives of those who deliberately disturb the fragile peace, other than to condemn them wholeheartedly.

The book offers no solutions, and very little catharsis. In fact, the author offers clues that another bombing will take place soon, and that one or more of the characters the reader has met will be affected. That the people of this region can never heave a sigh of relief is a sad--but true--commentary.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is told from many different perspectives and is primarily set in Israel. Several of the central characters are residents of or volunteers at a kibbutz and include Israeli and immigrant Jews, as well as a German gentile. The book also features other Israelis and Palestinians and foreigners. The characters are all connected by a violent act of terrorism.

The different episodes are ordered by specific times and include locations. The device may remind some of a police procedural show but seems to be more of an organizational technique than an overt gimmick in the text. Most of the characters are thoroughly developed and represent a wide array of ages and ethnicities as well as religious and political persuasions.

In addition to the main drama, the novel also illustrates what everyday can be like for a variety of people in that war-torn region. In some ways, their lives are just like our own, but they also deal with difficulties that are totally foreign to most American readers.

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a good book with a surprising turn of events and coming together of everything, but was a bit confusing and honestly boring to read at some parts. Its set in Contemporary Israel, and tells the story from the eyes of many different characters who all come together at one huge point during the climax at a bus explosion. Characters include Thomas, a German boy who came in search of family secrets he wants to find out, Baruch a holocaust survivor who works a kibbutz, Sameh an illegal Palestinian and his friend Omar, the two people behind the bombing. Vera another kibbutz worker, and more minor characters like witnesses. The book begins by giving you an idea of what life was like for the characters and everything leading up to the big explosion. It is interesting the way that you get to see it all come together, but can be confusing at the same time by switching from character to character and place to place. I would give this book 4 stars because it was interesting and surprising but boring at the same time compared to other books.

[Nicole Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. I don't know exactly why I like reading books about war - especially WWII. But I do. This book isn't actually about, or at least isn't set in WWII. But there are survivors of the Holocaust and descendants of German officers thrown together with suicide bombers near Jerusalem. Told as mini-vignettes from the perspective of multiple characters, there is a lot of information covered. Sometimes I am just in awe of how hard life can be and at the same time how resilient human beings are. One thing I really liked was the idea that pain shared can become healing balm - the idea that if we hold a painful secret inside ourselves we have to deal with it alone. However, if we are willing to share with others we will find that the sharing alone has healing power, and that there are those around us who are willing to shoulder part of our burden and make it lighter.

[Henry Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Real Time" by Pnina Moed KassI is a fictional story set in realistic times. This page turner will surely keep your attention as you eagerly hang on to every word. The plot and setting of this story was what really made this book special and I really recommend Real Time. Set in present day Israel, 3 life stories, Baruch, Sameh, and Omar, intertwine as one to form an explosive adventure. "Real Time" kept me turning pages and since the story was very fast paced, it was very attention-grabbing. I was not satisfied at the ending because the sudden suicide bombing was quite unnerving. The characters were hard to relate to, they had a whole different life with many dangers. The beginning was a little boring and dull, but the story is told by different people in Third Person Omniscient, which made it better. Overall, I rate this book 4 stars for complexity and depth.

[Wesley Towne · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Readers will cry and be curious, to be a person who actually make there own dicision, you will love "Real Time" or hate it."
"For it was completely away from there family, and doing things they shouldn't . For just the explosion gives a totally different story of what to expect, but they'll do almost anything for a job."
The plot and from the conflict of the explosion.
For there is so many unexpected ways u can look at this book. To think that it actually happened it the real world. For not expecting the world would even be like that at all.
Most people that like real stories and dramatics will love it and it not long also from so many different expectation from different people. This is highly recommended to the people that like a book in different way the story being told.

[Rebel Rider · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up this book hoping to get an inside look at the Israel/Palestine conflict and was disappointed. It could have been much better if it had fewer points of view, or was split into two books. There are multiple story lines, and some of the perspectives that add very little to the plot. The end of the book comes suddenly, and leaves at least one character without finishing his story. Because of the short length of the book and the amount of characters, it was very hard to get to know any of the characters in the story.
In my mind, The Shepherd’s Granddaughter is a much better read if you want to know about the Israel/Palestine situation.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas Wanninger, a German boy, decided to travel to Israel to find out about what his grandfather did as a Nazi member during the second World War. The news of a German boy coming to the SEEK program alerted Baruch Ben Tov, who was a holocaust survivor. He was afraid of what this German boy would say or react when he see the code that was tattooed on his arm when he was in the concentration camp.

I really like this book, becuase it came from many characters' persectives and they all had an interesting life story that connects, which brought them to disastrous moments. This book is also very horrifying, yet touching at the same time.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author takes on a lot, to tell her story from so many different points of view. The idea that it's taking place in 'real time' as you would experience in an episode of 24, though, doesn't have the impact that it would have on the screen. I'm guessing we'll see this as a miniseries at some point.

I did like that the author was not unsympathetic to the Palestinians. Neither the Israelis or the Palestinians came out roses but you did see people change for the better, and transcend their old wounds.

[Amanda Bower · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for a literature discussion in my class on literacy for diverse learners. Very interesting story told from many perspectives. Helps me with my goal of broadening the diversity (both culture and genre) of the books I read. I found the number of characters hard to follow, but how they are all related becomes clearer about half way into the book. The book also leaves you with many unanswered questions about two major storylines, but that's not necessarily bad as its reflective of real life.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Through the voices of at least a dozen people, Jewish, Christian, and Muslim, young and old, male and female, Kass tells the story of a bus bombing in contemporary Israel. History and culture intertwine to give readers an excellent picture of the volatile political and social conditions surrounding that part of the world. While it is an engaging novel, it isn't the best YA novel I've ever read -- and it is pro-Israel, which I don't see as good or bad, as long as readers know that it is.

[Peter lok · Rating 4 out of 5]

so far, i think its kind of weird that there are sll sorts of people at this one location. holocaust survivors, nazi relatives, and etc. they are all here on a mission, each different from each other. this reminds me of new york. there are many people in the city but you don't know their identites. you don't know why they live in new york, but in some way you are connected to othat person. makes you think about how the people around you connect to you.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told from several points of view, Real Time, takes the reader through a horrendous week in Israel. I thought all the characters were sympathetic and engaging. There are two young Palestinian teenagers who are recruited as suicide bombers, an elderly concentration camp survivor, an Israeli soldier, a Russian Kibbutz worker, and a young German investigating the sins of his Nazi grandfather. I think the book is probably a realistic look at life in Jerusalem today.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives many points of view about the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. Each person represents another voice. It will help adolescents understand that there are no "sides" and nothing is simple. They all come together in a suicide bombing. Beautifully written...excellent for Small Planet Café. Association of Jewish Libraries Sidney Taylor Award (2004).

[Sandra Strange · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel tells a gripping story of modern Israel through the voices of its characters, including a potential suicide bomber, a victim of the Holocaust, an expatriate Russian girl, and a young German who has come to work on a kibbutz and investigate his grandfather, who may have been one of the police involved in the Holocaust. Positive; good for voice and point of view.

[Juan415 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well in the beginning,this book seemed confusing and dull,but later I realized that this book was very intense,powerful and that It would late become one of the best books I had read in my life!!!!!!!!!!!!My recommendation is that any young teen should read this this book will change your life!!!!!!XD