Summary: Karl Stern is a lanky student, son of an accomplished art dealer, talented cartoonist, and technically Jewish, though he's never been inside a synagogue. The Nazi youth in his school don't seem to care about the latter part of that distinction, however, as Hitler rises to power in pre-WWII Germany. After being attacked by the school's gang of bullies in the stairwell, Karl meets championship world class boxer Max Sterling. With a natural boxer's reach, Karl starts on a training regiment that will bring him love, loss, and ultimately conflict his understanding of what it means to be Jewish in a world where heros have aryan blonde hair and blue eyes, looking nothing like him or his family.Appropriate for: 7th grade +. There is some hard to read content and racial bashing. As students begin to understand more about the historical context it would be more understandable for them. I would go either way, depending on the units. I definitely wouldn't teach it as a stand alone, but I would drop it in with a unit on cultural perspectives or the holocaust. It's a read that keeps students interested and allows them to see a personal perspective into a well written about historical event. It's also good for students to see a hero that wishes they could run with the mainstream, but can't because of a racial affiliation he doesn't consider himself a part of. Discussion Questions: Karl has mixed feelings about his identity as a Jewish man in this novel. He doesn't go to synagogue or necessarily believe in God. He longs for a Nazi youth uniform, but he isn't accepted and stands out in the community. Given his outcast status , do you think it is a good or a bad thing that he wants to blend in? Use examples from the text of specific instances and outcomes to support your stance. How are people classified into particular religious and ethnic groups? Why is Karl categorized as being Jewish, even though his family is secular and doesn’t practice the religion?How do the illustrations and comics interspersed through- out contribute to your reading of the novel? How can you “read” art? Phenomenal book. The unique pre-Holocaust perspective, sheds light on the rise of Nazi Germany. However, this book is a lot more than well written historical fiction. The plot closely follows Karl's endeavor to become a boxing great, proving his Jewish bloodline is nothing of the demoralizing character the Reich depicts. Facing bullying, self-preservation, growing-up, racism, a broken family, and a disapproved relationship, Karl learns to apply his greatest boxing skills outside of the ring. To think that the historical backdrop is true adds an unsettling truth to this magnificent novel."The World is going crazy, Karl. And when the world is crazy, a sane man is never oaky."
What do You think about La Stella Nel Pugno (2012)?
Wow. This compelling story was easy enough to savor in one sitting, but long-lasting.
—krystinhsu
The author really takes you along for the ride in this story... A real page turner!
—skribeL
This book was a very good book that I could not put down.
—mollymoo
great tale of a young boy's struggle in nazi germany
—coolazure
