Gr 6-9–Patrik Chrobak, 14, and his upper-middle-class family do not toe the (Communist) Party line in 1960s Czechoslovakia. Increasingly frustrated by the Party’s oppressive tactics and methods, Patrik’s father and mother talk more of fleeing their homeland. Patrik, unable to stomach watching friends and teachers vanish for “disloyalty,” begins committing subversive pranks with like-minded, longtime friends. One of them is 14-year-old Danika, his upstairs neighbor. Patrik realizes that he wants to be more than just friends, which bewilders Danika. Instead, she falls for the new boy in town, a loyal Party member. This angers Patrik, who commits a brazen protest against the government. Caught and ordered to relocate as punishment, he and his family decide to escape. With many unknowns ahead, knowing only that the immediate future is unbearable, the family flees. The description of their escape to Italy is confusing. Some of it is written as flashback, some as a bizarre dream sequence, and some as realistic events. The overall story is excellent, conveying feelings of dread, suspicion, despair, and frustration experienced by citizens in Communist Eastern Europe. The relationships among Patrik and his friends and family are realistic and genuine. This novel will open some eyes about how difficult and unfair life was in the Eastern Bloc.–Lisa Crandall, Capital Area District Library, Holt, MI
Patrik is a typical thirteen-year-old: he's in love with his childhood friend, Danika; he enjoys rock music and pulling pranks with his friends. Except they aren't just innocent gags in 1960s Czechoslovakia with the occupying Communist party watching. Things heat up for Patrik and his family as longtime friends become untrustworthy. This historical novel is both accessible and tension-filled.
Be the first reader to comment.
Comment Policy:
Comment should not be empty !!!