The Boy at the Top of the Mountain - Hardcover

Boyne, John

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1627790306 ISBN 13: 9781627790307

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), 2016

Synopsis

The Boy at the Top of the Mountain by John Boyne, the author of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, is another extraordinary historical fiction about World War II and innocence in the face of evil.

When Pierrot becomes an orphan, he must leave his home in Paris for a new life with his aunt Beatrix, a servant in a wealthy Austrian household. But this is no ordinary time, for it is 1935 and the Second World War is fast approaching; and this is no ordinary house, for this is the Berghof, the home of Adolf Hitler.

Pierrot is quickly taken under Hitler's wing and thrown into an increasingly dangerous new world: a world of terror, secrets, and betrayal from which he may never be able to escape. This title has Common Core connections.

About this title

About the Author

John Boyne is the author of many books for adults and for children, including The Boy at the Top of the Mountain, Stay Where You Are and Then Leave and the #1 New York Times-bestselling The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. He lives in Dublin, Ireland.

Review

The Boy at the Top of the Mountain:

"With skill and emotional detachment, Boyne tells Pieter’s story through descriptions and dialogue that are concise, spare, and vivid . . . . Pieter’s traumatic childhood, infatuation and interactions with Hitler, adolescent angst, and destructive choices will captivate teens and prompt thought-provoking discussion." ―School Library Journal, starred review

"Boyne’s (The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, 2006) story is unarguably a powerful one with an often visceral impact." ―Booklist

"a compelling account of the attractions of power, the malleability of youth and the terrible pain of a life filled with regret" ―The Guardian

"John Boyne delivers a poignant tale of innocence ruined by Nazism. This is a story full of suspense and heartbreak that will leave readers wanting more. Compare this book to The Boy in the Striped Pajamas." ―School Library Connection

Stay Where You Are and Then Leave:

"This is an excellent and approachable introduction to the traumas of war. . . . not simply a book about the horrors of shellshock but also a comprehensive depiction of many different aspects of life during World War I.” ―School Library Journal

“Boyne has an eye for period details, an ear for dialogue, and a knack for creating individual, consistent characters.” ―Booklist

“The Boy in the Striped Pajamas:

In the final pages, the tension rises precipitously and the harrowing ending, in which Bruno does finally act, is sure to take readers' breath away.” ―Publishers Weekly

“Deeply affecting . . . beautiful and sparsely written.” ―The Wall Street Journal

About this edition

• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1627790306
• ISBN 13: 9781627790307
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 272