Black Radishes
by Susan Lynn Meyer
Non-series
A Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
ISBN-10: 0-385-73881-1
ISBN-13: 978-0-385-73881-1
Publication Date: November, 2010
List Price: $16.99
Review: The Eiffel Tower looked ugly, thinks Gustave as France is gray. Gustave lives in the times of World War II with the Germans breathing down his neck. Gustave is just an ordinary eleven year old kid with one quality that worries him and his family, he is Jewish. As he goes to boy scouts with his friends Marcel and Jean-Paul. The three face tough times being Jewish considering the fact that it is not safe to live in France. As Gustave goes back home, he overhears that he and his family may be moving to Saint-Georges. Gustave is furious at his parents that he needs to move. So begins Black Radishes written by Susan Lynn Meyer.
When Gustave moves into the new town, he walks through the city streets with his monkey in his hand. Gustave comes to the realization that his friends are all gone. As he continues walking towards the bakery, he sees a boy. This excites him until that same kid shoves him into the fountain. With this, the largest rivalry Gustave has ever known begins. Gustave goes to school with the same kid, which gets Gustave furious. Gustave must continuously work to keep his identity hidden. Is it even possible? Will Gustave learn to adapt to his new surroundings? Will Gustave ever catch up with his old friends?
Black Radishes touched my heart, and I really couldn't put the book down. Susan Lynn Meyer is a fascinating author. Black Radishes deserves five out of five stars because the story line is astounding and depicts the life of a child who faces the struggles of his parents, schoolmates, and the German soldiers during one of the most horrific wars in history. Many books have been written about the German persecution of the Jewish people, but Black Radishes stands proudly as one worthy of being read.
Review written by Max (6th grade student).
We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Black Radishes for this review.
Have you read Black Radishes? How would you rate it?
My school's mock Newbery club had this as a contender and it got fourth place.
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