Chernowitz!

by Fran Arrick

A boy who suffers anti-Semitic abuse at the hands of a classmate during his ninth and tenth grade years plots revenge against his tormentor.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction

183 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Fran Arrick is a pseudonym of Judie Angell

Reviews

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chernowitz by Fran Arrick

Summary-
The plot is about Bobby Cherno, a 9th grader who is Jewish. However, another kid named Emmett Sundback bullies him about being a Jew. Soon enough, all of Cherno's friends turn against him. Emmett is ruining Cherno's life, and he doesn't like it.

Conflicts-
Cherno has to deal with Emmett Sundback, who makes rude comments about him being a Jew.(Review to be continued)

[Quirkyreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very moving story that made me cry. See my review on my book blog: http://quirkyreader.livejournal.com/1...

[Vio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe 2 1/2*.
It is a nice YA read, not spectacular. The topic is quite interesting.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bobby Cherno has never had a large circle of friends but has always been okay with that. He had Brian, after all. But as they start middle school, things change. A bully named Emmett Sundbach begins picking on Bobby. At first, he thinks it's just a normal "bully thing", but when he finds a small burning cross thrown on his lawn on Halloween, he begins to see that he is the target because he is Jewish. Soon, others join in with Sundbach and even Brian turns his back on Bobby. How can one kid fight antisemitism?

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

14 year old Bobby Cherno tries to deal with anti-semitism by a class mate, Emmett. . He doesn't tell his parents or the school about it because he feels he can handle it on his own. Finally, in 10th grade Bobby decides to plot revenge only afterward he doesn't feel better. He ends up telling the truth and apologizing to the boy who abused him. This is an excellent story; good for a group discussion.

[Kathryn Pratt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book because my 7th graders are reading it in English, but it was a bit rough. I think the message is important, but the story was not very compelling. The language from the 1980's also really messed with my opinion of the book. Good message, but I think there are better, contemporary novels that better get at the message of this book. I also didn't love the ending of the book. It fell flat and felt like it just ended with no real resolution.

[emil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved it. Bobby's struggle with anti-Semitism is so painfully real and is hauntingly relevant. Bobby feels like a real person—someone kids and teens can relate to and identify with, Jewish or not. Chernowitz is freakin' awesome. 10/10 would read again.

[Alexa SOF2014]

The basic premise of this novel is that Bobby Cherno, a ninth grader, suffers anti Semitic abuse in the hands of a classmate during his ninth and tenth grade. He then begins to plot revenge against his tormentor. Emmet Sundback, Bobby's bully and tormentor, just doesn't like Jews. He convinces Bobby's friends to become his enemies. Unfortunately, on his front lawn one day was a burning cross, then a swastica on his parent's car. He realized ignoring this situation was not the answer.

I can't imagine being the center of discrimination. Prejudice is evil. To hate someone because they are a diffferent religion, race or upbring is dispicable. I am hopeful that we are now living in NYC in 2010 we are in one of the most open and tolerant cultures in the world. NYC fortunately has hundreds of different races living amicable together. Our own school has many different cultures studing and working well together.

I would give this excellent novel 5 stars for the following reasons. When I came back from S.E. Asia my family moved to a small town in Ohio for one year. The town was called Strongsville, Ohio, one hour outside of Cleveland, Ohio. My mother never felt truly comfortable in this town. One day, a mother in our elementary school, told my mother " I thinnk your type and family would be more comfortable in a different suburb!" I was shocked to hear this story! We lived in a gated community. We were the only Jewish family and we were discriminated against.

My parents decided at the end of the year to move back to NYC. We were very fortunate to escape this prejudice. I was too young to remember!

[Apfel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I though this was great! A good story and one, I feel, that needs to be told. A reminder that, sometimes, history repeats itself. Often in ways that we do not expect. I was assigned this book for school and, like I usually do, I read ahead. This book was terrific although the ending was a bit vague. Despite being vague the ending made sense because you really can't drastically change someones hatred towards you. The author did a good job illustrating the story to the reader. I'd recommend this book to all ages, especially those interested in or learning about the holocaust.

[Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very powerful book. Liked the character development. It was really fun to read and brought new insights as to I thought MY life was rough, here is a kid who is losing all his friends to a kid picking on him because he is Jewish. That is terrible!!!!!!! I thought I had seen bullying, but this is like a child version of hitler that Bobby Cherno has to deal with. This book really moved me, I think it will move you as well.

[Tyler Kittelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought Chernowitz was a good book. I liked how a boy (Bobby) tried to take matters into his own hands. He is a Jewish boy and people don't like him because of it. Bobby soon figures out that making him self feel big doesn't make himself bigger.

[Adam Lanners · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought chernowitz was a good book about bullying.Also about a Jewish boy getting bullied by Emmett Sundbeck and some of his friends.After a while boby cant take it anymore and finally gets back at him.

[Sierra Hollan · Rating 5 out of 5]

i am suppose to read this book for english. i dont have the book yet but my whole class has already got it and started reading it. does anyone know what chapter 7-9 is about?

[Cody001 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Chernowitz was a sad book in the begining because a boy named Bobby Cherno was bullied. In the end he pulls threw and is'nt bullied anymore.

[Luke Vaillancourt · Rating 4 out of 5]

good book I recommend it to others :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

[abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this was a pretty good book.It has a lot of good details.I would recommend this book to anyone who is in to this sort of genre.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

i think chernowitz is a really good book. Its about a jewish boy that gets picked on all year, and he finally stands up for himself

[Mary Musick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that will keep u on the edge of ur seat the whole time. It is just great!

[Andy Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book #readit

[Sunny · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a heart tightening and relieving book. I would recommend this to anyone going through bullying.