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My Story: Girls
Berlin Olympics
In 1935, Eleanor Rhys Davies is growing up in a changing world. She and her best friend, Sarah, are determined to compete in the national swimming team for the 1936 Olympics. Their dream comes true when both are selected. But the host city is Hitler's Berlin, and Sarah is Jewish. Eleanor witnesses the Nazi's hostility to Jews and hears the distant murmurings that will erupt into World War II.
176 pages, Paperback
First published April 5, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 29, 2012
Fourteen-year-old Eleanor Rhys Davis, called Ellie by her friends, lives in England in 1935. She is a very talented swimmer, but she doesn't always get the best grades in school. One of her teachers encourages her to start writing in a diary. At first, she doesn't have much to write about, and so she describes school, swimming practice, and spending time with her two best friends, who are also swimmers - Sarah, who she grew up with, and Tara, a new girl at school who is the daughter of an American diplomat. Sarah is Jewish, and although she and her parents were born in England, her grandparents were immigrants from Germany. She is worried about her relatives who still live in Germany, since the Nazis have begun to pass laws that restrict the rights of Jewish people.
As Ellie and Sarah's swimming improves, their teacher, Mrs. Williams, suggest the girls should work hard at their training in hopes of being chosen for the British swim team for the 1936 Olympics which will be held in Berlin, Germany. As the rest of the world learns about how the Nazis are treating Jews and other people they consider "racially inferior," there is debate in some countries about not participating in protest.
Although this book was not one of my favorites from the My Story series, I did enjoy it. I hadn't known much about the 1936 Olympics before reading this book, so I did learn some interesting history. I think certain parts of the story could have used more detail, and I was disappointed that it ended so abrubtly, with everything being wrapped up in an epilogue set several years later. Readers who enjoyed other books in the My Story series will probably enjoy this book as well, but if you are new to the series, many of the other books are a better choice to start with, unless you are particularly interested in the subject and historical setting of this book.
As Ellie and Sarah's swimming improves, their teacher, Mrs. Williams, suggest the girls should work hard at their training in hopes of being chosen for the British swim team for the 1936 Olympics which will be held in Berlin, Germany. As the rest of the world learns about how the Nazis are treating Jews and other people they consider "racially inferior," there is debate in some countries about not participating in protest.
Although this book was not one of my favorites from the My Story series, I did enjoy it. I hadn't known much about the 1936 Olympics before reading this book, so I did learn some interesting history. I think certain parts of the story could have used more detail, and I was disappointed that it ended so abrubtly, with everything being wrapped up in an epilogue set several years later. Readers who enjoyed other books in the My Story series will probably enjoy this book as well, but if you are new to the series, many of the other books are a better choice to start with, unless you are particularly interested in the subject and historical setting of this book.
July 22, 2018
This book follows outspoken swimmer Eleanor ‘Ellie’ Rhys Davies, set in the time before world war 2, when Hitler was just beginning his ferocious reign. The story sees her in her general everyday life training for her competitive swimming in the hopes of one day becoming an Olympic swimmer for Britain along with her Jewish best friend Sarah and her American friend Tara who trained with them and her attendance at prestigious school CCS, ensuring she maintains her highest grades she can obtain.
As the murmurings of what Hitler was doing in Germany to the Jews start coming closer to home she learns more about topics her father would father her not know, but nonetheless that doesn’t stop her sharing her opinions to those of high power to Hitler and causing trouble for herself in the things she says. Seeing injustice happening not far from her and the stories her best friend shares of her aunt and uncle living in the depth of Germany.
As she and Sarah find them selves in accompaniment to the swimmers at the olympics she sees for herself just how Hitler and his men really were and finds that there are more important things in life, learning that her outspokenness can be used for the good of all, finding her own ways to help people.
It was a very different book to what I was expecting honestly, it was interesting though, but I still felt like something more serious was going to happen but nothing ever came. I liked though that it gave the insight to the earlier stages before the comings of the war and how people fell into Hitlers trap and mistreatment of human beings.
As the murmurings of what Hitler was doing in Germany to the Jews start coming closer to home she learns more about topics her father would father her not know, but nonetheless that doesn’t stop her sharing her opinions to those of high power to Hitler and causing trouble for herself in the things she says. Seeing injustice happening not far from her and the stories her best friend shares of her aunt and uncle living in the depth of Germany.
As she and Sarah find them selves in accompaniment to the swimmers at the olympics she sees for herself just how Hitler and his men really were and finds that there are more important things in life, learning that her outspokenness can be used for the good of all, finding her own ways to help people.
It was a very different book to what I was expecting honestly, it was interesting though, but I still felt like something more serious was going to happen but nothing ever came. I liked though that it gave the insight to the earlier stages before the comings of the war and how people fell into Hitlers trap and mistreatment of human beings.
September 6, 2019
The conceit of My Story: The Berlin Olympics is that it is a diary written by a young woman who is hoping to get to swim on the British Team at the 1936 Games. As a story, it hits all the correct notes in order to make its point (Nazis and anti-semitism bad; Brits (mostly) good; Americans brash and oblivious). She has troubles at school, tries to be a good girl for her parents and worries about her best friend, Sarah.
The diarist, Ellie, is outspoken and forward-thinking, which strikes me as fairly 21st century for a girl in 1935. She dares to speak her mind to a literal Nazi, and isn't swatted for it. I don't think the word "cringeworthy" is one that was in common usage in London between the Wars, either. Having said all that, I'm not the audience for this story. I read it because I was interested in the subject matter, but I left the "My Story" demographic behind a long-old time ago.
For parents reading this review to determine whether My Story: The Berlin Games is age-appropriate for your child, my goodness, yes, it is. If your child is old enough to read and understand the words, they're old enough to read the book. There is nothing at all here to offend, and a great deal to inform and entertain. Perhaps it will inspire the younger generation to look at the wider world and see that there is still a great deal of work to be done.
The diarist, Ellie, is outspoken and forward-thinking, which strikes me as fairly 21st century for a girl in 1935. She dares to speak her mind to a literal Nazi, and isn't swatted for it. I don't think the word "cringeworthy" is one that was in common usage in London between the Wars, either. Having said all that, I'm not the audience for this story. I read it because I was interested in the subject matter, but I left the "My Story" demographic behind a long-old time ago.
For parents reading this review to determine whether My Story: The Berlin Games is age-appropriate for your child, my goodness, yes, it is. If your child is old enough to read and understand the words, they're old enough to read the book. There is nothing at all here to offend, and a great deal to inform and entertain. Perhaps it will inspire the younger generation to look at the wider world and see that there is still a great deal of work to be done.
May 28, 2023
Overall Rating 3/5 stars
🔹️Genre: historical/fiction/military
🔹️Age Range: 8-12 years
🔹️Plot: ⭐️⭐️
🔹️Setting:⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔹️Characters Journey:⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔹️Entertainment Level:⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was an OK read for me. It started off well, and I had high hopes. However, towards the middle, it kind of dipped, and I lost interest. This is probably why it took almost two weeks to finish, bearing in mind it's not a thick book. There were elements of detail that were interesting to know, but I just felt that I was left wanting more.
🔹️Genre: historical/fiction/military
🔹️Age Range: 8-12 years
🔹️Plot: ⭐️⭐️
🔹️Setting:⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔹️Characters Journey:⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔹️Entertainment Level:⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was an OK read for me. It started off well, and I had high hopes. However, towards the middle, it kind of dipped, and I lost interest. This is probably why it took almost two weeks to finish, bearing in mind it's not a thick book. There were elements of detail that were interesting to know, but I just felt that I was left wanting more.
February 21, 2023
None of the pages were missing, but there was definitely some missing text. From Eleanor’s PIV you wouldn’t have known that the Great Depression was going on and the girl on the cover is not her, but her best friend. The 1936 entries end abruptly, though there is an epilogue.
September 10, 2023
Izmišljena priča o britanskom ženskom plivačkom timu, koji je učestvovao na olimpijadi u Berlinu u vreme nacoša. Pratimo dve petnaestogodišnje devojčice, od kojih je jedna jevrejka. Onako, zanimljivo kao blagi uvid u to vreme, ali ništa specijalno.
January 6, 2025
I've been rereading these as I liked them when I was a kid and this is probably my least favourite of the series. It's very short so I wasn't expecting a lot of detail but it still seemed to skip a lot and skim things a lot more than the other books have done.
November 8, 2019
“He talked to you because you’re tall and fair, and that’s OK with the Natzis,” she said in agitation. “What hope is there Ellie, if they can’t even face a conversation with us Jews?”
-Sarah Rosenthal
Fictional Character Created By Vince Cross.
Set right before World War 2 breaks out all across Europe, Ellie Rhys Davies struggles to get into the 1936 Olympics. Her best friend, Sarah is Jewish and the Olympics will be in Berlin. Even if they make it through, will they be able to keep Sarah’s secret? Berlin Olympics by Vince Cross is written in diary form and shows 2 years of a young girl’s life as she struggles to keep her grades up, make friends and, above all, get into The Olympics as a swimmer. This diary shows Ellie’s most private thoughts, thoughts she can’t even share with her best friends. The book is set in 1935 England, as hostilities between countries start to boil up and Jews are constantly treated with disrespect, she must learn how to form her own opinions and, most importantly, learn how to tell what is right, and what is wrong.
Ellie is a normal school girl of 14 in the 20th century with problems that relate to the time period, such as woman’s rights, racism and children being treated as less than they are, however, she has one great worry that almost no one else has, will she get into the Olympics?
I really enjoyed this book and I felt exactly as the author meant me to feel, outraged when women were treated as lesser beings, puzzled how people could do such things to Jews and felt amazed when Ellie and Sarah got into the Olympics. This book was complete and detailed, nothing was left out. I loved it.
-Sarah Rosenthal
Fictional Character Created By Vince Cross.
Set right before World War 2 breaks out all across Europe, Ellie Rhys Davies struggles to get into the 1936 Olympics. Her best friend, Sarah is Jewish and the Olympics will be in Berlin. Even if they make it through, will they be able to keep Sarah’s secret? Berlin Olympics by Vince Cross is written in diary form and shows 2 years of a young girl’s life as she struggles to keep her grades up, make friends and, above all, get into The Olympics as a swimmer. This diary shows Ellie’s most private thoughts, thoughts she can’t even share with her best friends. The book is set in 1935 England, as hostilities between countries start to boil up and Jews are constantly treated with disrespect, she must learn how to form her own opinions and, most importantly, learn how to tell what is right, and what is wrong.
Ellie is a normal school girl of 14 in the 20th century with problems that relate to the time period, such as woman’s rights, racism and children being treated as less than they are, however, she has one great worry that almost no one else has, will she get into the Olympics?
I really enjoyed this book and I felt exactly as the author meant me to feel, outraged when women were treated as lesser beings, puzzled how people could do such things to Jews and felt amazed when Ellie and Sarah got into the Olympics. This book was complete and detailed, nothing was left out. I loved it.
August 14, 2012
Review of My Story: Berlin Olympics
Berlin Olympics is a fictional story of an Olympic Swimmer in the Berlin Olympics in 1939. Some of the main character's competitors really went to the Berlin Olympics in 1939, so you learn a little about them.
The reason I read this book was because I find historical fiction fascinating, and I love to read about the times before I was born. It takes place in Britain in 1935-1936 and also in Berlin when the main character and her best friend compete in the Olympics.
The main plot is for the main character to become a good enough swimmer to compete in the Berlin Olympics.
The main character is a 14-15 year old girl called Ellie Rhys Davies, and she is very true to herself. She always speaks her mind, and I think that's what made her a very strong character in my mind. She also stood up for herself and was a very mature character.
The thing I didn't like about this book was the short length; only 155 pages. But I did like how it was all written as a diary, and we saw things from Ellie's perspective, and how she thought of things, how she reacted to certain news. I liked the way I also gained some insight to the Berlin Olympics before the Second World War stopped the next 3 from existing.
This book was published this year, and I found it quite educational, also because Ellie's best friend Sarah was a Jew, so I saw a little bit more into how Hitler treated Jews.
Overall, I really enjoyed it. It's recommended for those who like historical fiction. I give it a 4/5.
Berlin Olympics is a fictional story of an Olympic Swimmer in the Berlin Olympics in 1939. Some of the main character's competitors really went to the Berlin Olympics in 1939, so you learn a little about them.
The reason I read this book was because I find historical fiction fascinating, and I love to read about the times before I was born. It takes place in Britain in 1935-1936 and also in Berlin when the main character and her best friend compete in the Olympics.
The main plot is for the main character to become a good enough swimmer to compete in the Berlin Olympics.
The main character is a 14-15 year old girl called Ellie Rhys Davies, and she is very true to herself. She always speaks her mind, and I think that's what made her a very strong character in my mind. She also stood up for herself and was a very mature character.
The thing I didn't like about this book was the short length; only 155 pages. But I did like how it was all written as a diary, and we saw things from Ellie's perspective, and how she thought of things, how she reacted to certain news. I liked the way I also gained some insight to the Berlin Olympics before the Second World War stopped the next 3 from existing.
This book was published this year, and I found it quite educational, also because Ellie's best friend Sarah was a Jew, so I saw a little bit more into how Hitler treated Jews.
Overall, I really enjoyed it. It's recommended for those who like historical fiction. I give it a 4/5.
August 14, 2012
Hey! I'm back!
This book is a mixture of nazis and determination.
I have started reading this, but prefer not to spoil this for everyone.
Later she meets Tara, and Tara's much better at everything than her and her Jewish friend.
More REVIEWS TO COME
This book is a mixture of nazis and determination.
I have started reading this, but prefer not to spoil this for everyone.
Later she meets Tara, and Tara's much better at everything than her and her Jewish friend.
More REVIEWS TO COME
April 6, 2014
I really enjoyed reading this book about a young girl who competes as a swimmer in the berlin olypics.I would recommend this to anyone who has read some of the other my story books or enjoys historical fiction or likes to read books like diaries.
June 5, 2015
What I enjoyed most of all is how natural the whole story feels, echoing classics like The Diary of a Young Girl. Eleanor, like Anne Frank, spoke to me through the pages of the book, making me believe in her and understand her.
http://www.varshaseshan.com/blog/berl...
http://www.varshaseshan.com/blog/berl...
October 26, 2015
Somebody: Eleanor
Setting: London 1935-1936
Wanted: to go to the olympics
But: she is waiting for her swimming teacher to tell her if she is going or not
So: she also has to do good in school
Now: she has to do both things at the same time
Setting: London 1935-1936
Wanted: to go to the olympics
But: she is waiting for her swimming teacher to tell her if she is going or not
So: she also has to do good in school
Now: she has to do both things at the same time
December 2, 2012
This is really awesome!!! Girls and boys book. It really teaches you how it was in the WWII. Read it!!!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews