THEO

by Barbara Harrison

When the Nazis announce that all orphans in Athens are to be rounded up and sent to Germany, Theo and his older brother Soc travel to a small village where they can hide and join the resistance movement. But upon reaching their destination, Soc is executed for sabotage, leaving Theo to be taken in by the resistance fighters Patir Alex and his wife. Now Theo's only companion from before the war is his shadow puppet, Karagiozis, a beloved and heroic character in Greek puppet theater. The young puppeteer puts on shows with Karagiozis, depicting scenes of Nazi defeat and re-enacting tales about the history of Greece, as he struggles to understand the meaning of heroism and to make sense of what is happening in the world around him. Against the bleak backdrop of the fiercely beautiful Greek landscape, Barbara Harrison weaves a moving, dramatic story about kindness, bravery, and the perseverance of humanity even in the most devastating of times.

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Carlos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was pretty good. Parts like when Theo's brother died brought sadness to me but I felt this was a nessecary sacrifice. I know this may seem dark but moments like these were vital to the transformation of Teo. Overall I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to others!

[Miss Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

gr 6-12 159pgs


WWII, Greece. 12 year old apprentice puppeteer Theo is forced to flee his hometown for a remote village when the Nazis begin rounding up orphans like himself. When his older brother is killed, Theo is determined to take a more active part in the war effort, but wonders if he is brave enough.