MILKWEED

Author: Jerry Spinelli

Pages in all 208

This book is happening in Warsaw, Poland during world war II, more precisely September 1939. Now, since this post is supposed to be about the setting, I'll talk about it. Note: I am just beginning the book. I am not too enthusiastic about it and I will explain why later.........

So, as I already mentioned, the setting of the book is in Warsaw. A little boy, who names himself "Stopthief", since he does not know his name, is fighting for his life. He is pretty obviously an orphan, and is phased with poverty, and invasion. One day, while pick-pocketing and stealing bread from a rich woman, Stopthief, meets Uri, another orphan boy. They decide to go to Uris HQ, in a stable near their current location, where Stopthief would meet more orphans, that where already "ganged" up with Uri. The setting, is the stable. It is described as small, but just big enough to suite the small needs, of the poor, and humble boys inside the stable. The horses are long gone, since the "Jackboots", or Nazi's, are attacking the city. When the kids meet each other, the boys appear rude on firsthand. Since Stopthief is small, and rather ugly, the group of boys begin calling him such names as "Ugly Jew" or "Stupid Gypsy". Luckily for Stopthief, the gang will turn out to be welcoming, and much desperate of someones help.  

As I already mentioned twice, the setting is Warsaw, Poland. The inhabitants that are still in the city (Surprisingly. Warsaw appears to be similar like Stalingrad later), are awaiting the doomed, and unfortunate faith of the city. As described, the artillery is bombing non-stop, and the "Stukas" (Ju-87), are destroying everything in there path. The city lay in despair and rubble,so everybody is left to themselves...... The situation is miserable, but whats good for the boys, is that as danger grows, they learn to pact and bond together, acting as one, and of course, helping them survive the ruthless situation. Here is a quote to prove it all ".......And then the streets were empty.A strange music filled the air:the sirens' wail and thump of exploding shells."

Here is my rating on the story:

Content: 10/10
Language art and style: 4/10
Organization: 9/10

Final grade: 23/30

This might seem like a fairly good grade, but I have one major complaint, the word appropriateness. There are many bad words, that are of course, not worth mentioning. I think that anybody of us reading the book, would not have too much of a joyful time..... Let me ask you, if you are having a bad day, and you are reading this novel, would it be pleasant to read rassistical and simply terrible language?Even though I myself like very pessimistically oriented stories that give you the harsh reality first hand, it is simply wrong to give bad words in a young adult novel. Now you understand my reasoning.

INTERESTING FACTS: (NOWHERE WITHOUT THEM!)
1.Approximately 84% of Warsaw was destroyed in 1939 by the Luftwaffe.
2.During hellish September, the Luftwaffe bombed Warsaw with everything it had, even absolete aircraft.
3.Warsaw was bombed 2 times during the war, by the 3rd Reich, and the Soviets.
4. The siege of Warsaw ended on the 26th of September, 1939.

Thanks for reading my post:)