114 pages 3 hours read

Jerry Spinelli

Milkweed

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2003

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli follows a young, unnamed orphan boy in Warsaw, Poland, during the Holocaust, who is taken in by a group of orphans led by Uri. Uri renames him Misha Pilsudski and they witness the Nazi invasion. Misha befriends a Jewish girl, Janina, and they struggle to survive as the situation in the ghetto deteriorates. Sensitive topics include the traumatic experiences of the Holocaust.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli is praised for its poignant portrayal of World War II through the eyes of an orphaned boy. Readers commend the novel for its emotional depth and vivid historical setting. However, some critics find the narrative occasionally simplistic and the protagonist's perspective inconsistent. Overall, it is seen as a powerful, accessible introduction to the Holocaust for younger audiences.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Milkweed?

Readers who would enjoy Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli are typically young adults with an interest in historical fiction and coming-of-age stories set during World War II. Fans of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne or Number the Stars by Lois Lowry would find a similar emotional and narrative depth in Spinelli's work.

Recommended

Reading Age

10-14years

Lexile Level

510L

Book Details

Genre

Historical Fiction

Children's Literature

Education

Topics

Education

Military / War

History: World

Period

WWII / World War II