I liked it, but I think that the title should have been different. Traitors Among Us was better.
Making Bombs for Hitler
By Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
Interest Level | Reading Level | Reading A-Z | ATOS | Word Count |
---|---|---|---|---|
Grades 4 - 8 | Grades 3 - 6 | n/a | 5.2 | 48437 |
But she cannot escape the horrors of World War II.
Lida's parents are ripped away from her and she is separated from her beloved sister, Larissa. The Nazis take Lida to a brutal work camp, where she and other Ukrainian children are forced into backbreaking labor. Starving and terrified, Lida bonds with her fellow prisoners, but none of them know if they'll live to see tomorrow.
When Lida and her friends are assigned to make bombs for the German army, Lida cannot stand the thought of helping the enemy. Then she has an idea. What if she sabotaged the bombs... and the Nazis? Can she do so without getting caught?
And if she's freed, will she ever find her sister again?
This pulse-pounding novel of survival, courage, and hope shows us a lesser-known piece of history -- and is sure to keep readers captivated until the last page.
Book Reviews (14)
I think that I will like this book so I am saying I loved it. I bought 2 books related to this treasure recently and so far they are really suspenseful and amazing. Hope you read this book!
I liked it, but this story went nowhere. Plus, the main character never even made bombs for Hitler. But it highlights World War ll, and the nazis, and what type of people Hitler would send to concentration camps.
this sounds like a pretty cool book to me!
Lida and her sister are taken to a camp where they're separated. She's then put on a train which will lead them to a concentration camp. Lida makes friends on the way and tries not to get killed. When she's put into a position where she makes bombs she and her friends start putting dirt inside of the bombs instead of powder. Will she make it out alive? This book was amazing even though it was short it's still worth reading.
I'm so glad this book is historical. I got me so interested into WWll. The sequel The War Below is about what happened to Luka. This book shows her what life was like back then. She makes beauty in this awful situation. If I could i would rate this book 10 stars!
Children in all recommended grades can be guided to discover the positive take-away in Making Bombs for Hitler. ~ ~ ~ There are repetitions of Lida saying that her mother always told her to look for the beauty in every situation. Repetitions in literature usually signal something important. Lida always searches for the beauty, sometimes inspiring it. The author seems to have left it up to the reader to discover whatever beauty can possibly be hidden in Lida's situation, and in our compassion, the beauty can be missed. Perhaps Skrypuch is showing us that even in these unimaginable conditions, supportive bonds of friendship are born and nurtured. Even in these unimaginable conditions, friends help each other find courage; but more importantly, friends help each other to find courage to act, to do something really important. In Making Bombs for Hitler, the children may or may not be able to save themselves, but they commit themselves to saving others. They no longer allow themselves to be used in Nazi endeavors. The children cease viewing themselves as just victims and take back whatever control they are able. We recall the mother's words, and become conscious witnesses to the empowerment of the children, as well. During- and post-reading reflections, guided discovery of plot and character, lead to the take-aways one hopes would remain long after the story ends. A book shared, the power of the discourse, makes for a greater impact, an opportunity for a deeper experience, and most hopefully, a positive take-away for children to carry forward.
My daughter was required to read this book for her literature program at school. She is in the fourth grade. Although I think the book is very interesting as an adult, it is definitely not something a fourth grader should be reading. I am shocked to see that it is recommended for fourth through eighth grade. The book discusses on pages 70 and 71 the practice of putting a needle in the child’s arm and draining blood into bottles. The child is bled until death and this is done to treat wounded soldiers. There are other things in the book that are inappropriate for this grade level. My daughter had nightmares very similar to topics that were presented in the book. Please do not recommend this book to young children.
This book is sooo good, I love all of Lidas adventures.
Really good book!!😁
I haven't read it yet but by the looks of it i think its a good book.