The Island on Bird Street

Yes it's a holocaust book. ?�But: ?áit's a great read because this kid does a Robinson Crusoe/ Swiss Family Robinson thing, all by himself in the Warsaw ghetto after the residents who haven't starved have been sent to the camps. ?áHis bravery and ingenuity are inspiring and *fun* to read about. ?áThis is as engaging a read as any current fantasy-adventure... who needs evil viziers and trolls when you have real traitorous snitches (rats) and German soldiers? ?áThe kid even has a gun that his father (reluctantly, of course) trained him to use, and even has a little romance. ?á

Moreover, the introduction from the author, and the fact that it has been translated from the Hebrew, make this a must read, even if, like me, you're show more tired of reading about WWII. show less

Alex is left alone to hide in an abandoned building after his parents and most of his friends and other relatives are carted off by the Nazis. It’s a suspenseful story, a story where you don’t know who is good and who is bad, where you worry that friends may deceive you, where you never know when the Nazis will find you and cart you off, too.

An 11-year-old boy must hide in an abandoned building in the Jewish Ghetto after being separated from his father, and stays there for several months waiting for his father to return.
Alternately heartbreaking and hopeful. A good and important read.

How does an 11-year-old Jewish boy survive alone in a Warsaw ghetto? It takes thought, skill and most of all it takes hope. In this thought-provoking book, translated by Uri Orlev (who grew up himself in Warsaw and survived two years in Bergen-Belsen), Alex is told to wait for his father. Even though he has opportunity to go somewhere safer, he continues to hope his father will return for him. The things Alex must do to survive are difficult, but he still manages to remain a child, who plays with his pet mouse and ice skates with his girlfriend. He faces bullies, thieves, German soldiers and adults who try to take advantage of him. Although published before Gary Paulson’s Hatchet, the feeling is very similar, and readers who enjoy show more Hatchet may enjoy this as well. This is more than just another Holocaust book; it is a story of the triumph of a young boy.

Batchelder Award, 1985 show less

RGG: Reminiscent of Spinelli's Milkweed. A boy survives alone in an emptying Polish ghetto. A little more tell than show, dominated by the first person narration. Somewhat unbelievable perhaps. A happy ending.

This is a book I read quite some time ago when I was younger. I got the urge again recently to re read this book. I found it to be a quick enjoyable read and enjoyed my reread of this book.

The island on bird street was an interesting book but was kinda boring and did not have much meaning.