This book was a solid 4 stars for me. Hegi's writing style is insightful and concise - she tells a full story without excess writing. I enjoyed the insights into the mind of an effective teacher, as provided by the main character, Thekla, who intends to shepherd her students through the early days of Hitler's regime. The time swapping between the one day, February 27, 1934 and Thekla's background, or should I say her Ahnenpass, her background and heritage, literally, her 'ancestor passport' kept the book interesting.To me, the most telling passage in the book is, "Most of her colleagues can't separate propaganda from truth, but Thekla knows the difference, knows that being true to yourself doesn't necessarily mean you are truthful, knows how to use reverence--a hand to her throat, a deep sigh--during meetings to prove her loyalty. After all, she has felt that reverence as a child in church, the emotional pitch that proves your transformation. Easy enough to use that reverence in politics." Or is it? This story takes place in the 1930's, in Germany. This is my second book by Ursula Hegi. I read the first book from a hard cover book. I really enjoyed the first book. I would probably have given this book five stars, if I had read it, instead of listed to the author read her own book. Her voice was a monotone, and she ran her words together without punctuations. I had a hard time following many things. She finally did a better job at the end of the book. Ursula tells the story of a teacher, and how she tries to protect her students, but comes to believe she has wronged them, by not giving them a better picture of the way things really were happening. She tells of how all of the books by Jewish authors were supposed to be burned, and she really missed some of her favorites. Then the Jewish teachers lost their jobs. She showed how each thing helped Hitler to get the people to follow his plan to rid the country of Jews.
What do You think about Children And Fire (2011)?
Did not finish the book; need to return to it. It is difficult to read such sadness...
—rosa
Another Nazi Book = A teacher discovers that her father is Jewish.
—PandaBuddy13
Not the author's best work, but mind opening all the same.
—emily
By the end of the book, the power of it was evident.
—shell
I love Ursula Hegi and this did not disappoint.
—pawar30
