What do you think?
Rate this book
Daniel Half Human
At the dawn of Hitler's rise to power in Germany in 1933 and a period of the most brutal, aggressive anti-Semitism the world has ever seen, two boys swear eternal brotherhood by slitting their wrists and mingling their blood. Having experienced so much together, even a night in jail after painting a swastika on a wall in the hated Communist section of Hamburg, Daniel and Armin had become the best of friends. But then, with the scar on his wrist still healing, Daniel receives some life-altering news: He is half-Jewish, and as such, half-hated by a growing number of neighbors, teachers, and friends. Quickly, he decides to keep his identity a secret, conspiring with Armin to join the Hitler Youth -- but only one of them can, and will, join, with terrible consequences.
Hardcover
First published February 28, 2000
42 people are currently reading
1787 people want to read
About the author
David Chotjewitz
7 books3 followersDavid Chotjewitz (born May 14, 1964, in Berlin) is a German writer and theatre director who lives in Hamburg.
In 1967, his family moved to Rome, where Chotjewitz grew up until 1973. He attended the Italian primary school and later the German school of Rome. In 1973, he moved with his parents and brother to the small north Hessian village of Kruspis. He attended school in Bad Hersfeld until 1981, but left without receiving his diploma.
As of 1982, he was trained as a publisher, at first at the Weismann publishing house in Munich, then in spring of 1984, at the Rowohlt publishing house in Reinbek. He was married in 1983 and his daughter, Sarah, was born the same year. His first literary book publication, the collection, Frühreif - Texte aus der Plastiktüte, appeared in spring of 1984. He wrote his first radio play, Geduld Holfstätter oder Der erste Kuß, in 1987. In 1988, he began to translate a novel by Norma Klein, for the Frankfurt publisher, Alibaba. In the 1990s, Chotjewitz worked with independent theatre companies in Hamburg and as an assistant director at the Deutsche Schauspielhaus in Hamburg, as well as at the Burgtheater in Vienna.
From 1992 to 1994, he studied with the Javanese dance and performance teacher, Suprapto Suryodarmo in Java - see Amerta Movement. In the following years, he co-operated with the Healing Theatre in Cologne and the Julia Pascal Company in London. In 1994, his novel about Albert Einstein, Das Abenteuer des Denkens (The Adventure of Thinking), was published and received a lot of attention. It has been reprinted several times, last by the Hamburg publisher, Carlsen Verlag. His award-winning novel for young people, Daniel Halber Mensch, was also published in the USA by Simon and Schuster as Daniel Half Human and has been quite successful there.
In 1999, Chotjewitz produced his first theatre work, Der einäugige Karpfen, based on a story by Kenzaburō Ōe. In 2000, he and Christian Concilio founded the youth theatre project, "Theater: Playstation", which staged musical theatre projects such as BLUT on the DANCEFLOOR (BLOOD on the DANCE FLOOR, in a techno-disco) and STIRB, POPSTAR, STIRB (POPSTAR MUST DIE), in cooperation with Kampnagel Hamburg.
In summer of 2007, he started the project, BEHÖRDE für LIEBLINGSLIEDER (MINISTRY for FAVORITE SONGS). Projects planned for 2008 include a new biographical novel about the young Goethe and a project with youths in Colombia.
Chotjewitz has received awards such as the literature prize of the city Hamburg in 1996, a grant from the Stiftung Preußische Seehandlung in 1997 and a grant from the Stuttgarter Schriftstellerhaus in 2006. "Daniel Half Human" received in the USA, among others, a Mildred L. Batchelder Award (Honor Book). His Novel "Crazy Diamond," about a teenaged rock star who dies under unclear circumstances, was published in the USA in April 2008
In 1967, his family moved to Rome, where Chotjewitz grew up until 1973. He attended the Italian primary school and later the German school of Rome. In 1973, he moved with his parents and brother to the small north Hessian village of Kruspis. He attended school in Bad Hersfeld until 1981, but left without receiving his diploma.
As of 1982, he was trained as a publisher, at first at the Weismann publishing house in Munich, then in spring of 1984, at the Rowohlt publishing house in Reinbek. He was married in 1983 and his daughter, Sarah, was born the same year. His first literary book publication, the collection, Frühreif - Texte aus der Plastiktüte, appeared in spring of 1984. He wrote his first radio play, Geduld Holfstätter oder Der erste Kuß, in 1987. In 1988, he began to translate a novel by Norma Klein, for the Frankfurt publisher, Alibaba. In the 1990s, Chotjewitz worked with independent theatre companies in Hamburg and as an assistant director at the Deutsche Schauspielhaus in Hamburg, as well as at the Burgtheater in Vienna.
From 1992 to 1994, he studied with the Javanese dance and performance teacher, Suprapto Suryodarmo in Java - see Amerta Movement. In the following years, he co-operated with the Healing Theatre in Cologne and the Julia Pascal Company in London. In 1994, his novel about Albert Einstein, Das Abenteuer des Denkens (The Adventure of Thinking), was published and received a lot of attention. It has been reprinted several times, last by the Hamburg publisher, Carlsen Verlag. His award-winning novel for young people, Daniel Halber Mensch, was also published in the USA by Simon and Schuster as Daniel Half Human and has been quite successful there.
In 1999, Chotjewitz produced his first theatre work, Der einäugige Karpfen, based on a story by Kenzaburō Ōe. In 2000, he and Christian Concilio founded the youth theatre project, "Theater: Playstation", which staged musical theatre projects such as BLUT on the DANCEFLOOR (BLOOD on the DANCE FLOOR, in a techno-disco) and STIRB, POPSTAR, STIRB (POPSTAR MUST DIE), in cooperation with Kampnagel Hamburg.
In summer of 2007, he started the project, BEHÖRDE für LIEBLINGSLIEDER (MINISTRY for FAVORITE SONGS). Projects planned for 2008 include a new biographical novel about the young Goethe and a project with youths in Colombia.
Chotjewitz has received awards such as the literature prize of the city Hamburg in 1996, a grant from the Stiftung Preußische Seehandlung in 1997 and a grant from the Stuttgarter Schriftstellerhaus in 2006. "Daniel Half Human" received in the USA, among others, a Mildred L. Batchelder Award (Honor Book). His Novel "Crazy Diamond," about a teenaged rock star who dies under unclear circumstances, was published in the USA in April 2008
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
January 1, 2019
This book shows how a boy was raised as an Aryan. This boy had a wonderful life until he finds out that his mother is a Jewess, and his perfect life starts fading away. Soon Hitler takes power, his friends join the Hitler Youth, and they find out about him being half Jewish, half human. Being Half human is not human enough for the Aryan race this causes many problems for him and his family. Overall, I love how this has some people that are Aryan, yet they still support David as much as they can. I recommend this book to people that are interested in the subject of WWII and like reading about human history.
May 15, 2014
This is a very different book about World War II, due to the fact that it's not written in the perspective of Holocost victims. Instead it is written in the point of view of a boy who at first wants to join Hitler's Youth and believes that Hitler is right. As the book progresses we can really see how Daniel matures and how his friends take different paths than him. By reading the book, you can tell how much research the author had to do to really make Daniel's story seem so real. I really liked the way the book was written in flashbacks because I think it made it more dramatic and suspenseful. I won't spoil the ending or anything but it was a very anti- climatic ending at first but as you re-read you can find a lot of meaning in it.
May 12, 2017
"Why do the Nazis get so much pleasure torturing us?
Maybe the question should be why do people generally get pleasure torturing others?"
There are countless stories of WW2. From the political perspective to the perspective of those who actually had to go through that hell. So I'm not going to go into the horrors of the war. It's something that you should know by now yet sadly looking at the amount of hate going on today, it seems like we haven't learned anything. I mean we had horrors like the holocaust and yet still there exists antisemitism.
Why?
Have we learned nothing?
This book was written by a German author, David Chotjewitz. Translated by Doris Orgel, the books intention was towards children and young adults. To teach them not the horrors of the holocaust but of how such a thing even came to be. How people allowed something like this to happen. I argue, however, that this is a books that needs to be read by adults and youth alike. It's not out of respect but because clearly, we all slept through our history lessons. This review will be a bit different. I will talk about the book but dispersed throughout the review will be quotes from the book. Quotes we really need to reflect on if we are to avoid the past and prove historians wrong.
The book focuses mainly on the life of David, a boy who is half Jewish from his mother's side. However, he is unaware of this (until a certain point) choosing to get into all kinds of scraps with his friend Armin Hillmann. David and Armin are excited by all the ruckus going on. Germany is sunken by the loss of WW1. This mixed with all the political turmoil going on has the country split. Those who support the Nazis and those who don't (red fronts). Being young and not understanding the meaning behind the words they say, both boys go around painting swastikas and should vulgar slurs. One day they get caught and while spending the night in the jail cell they decide to cement their friendship. Cutting skin to create and everlasting 'blood bothers" bond.
"One time they caught a frog, and Uli poked it with a stick. Daniel found a stick too and started poking. The boys kept on till the frog was half dead. Had they enjoyed it? It was interesting, watching a helpless creature react to inflicted suffering. But when the frog stopped moving, it got boring. Still, they kept on. Because they got mad at the frog. They wanted their fun, and it just sat there, as though dead. That's why they kept jabbing it. "I did that? Disgusting, Daniel thought." It's a zoological experiment, Uli had said. Bullshit! Torture is what it was. All right, but what did that explain? They were just children then and hadn't tortured any human. Just a frog."
Daniel's family life was better then most. His father is a successful lawyer and served well in the first WW. Because of this, the family both lives well and is respected. His father has a cross given to him for his bravery in the army. This cross is something he holds dearly. It's both is pride and demise. It pushed him. Makes him believe in his ability to protect and support his family. Makes him proud to be German and makes him determined to never run away. To never act like a coward. For to be a coward results only in a bullet to your back.
"They sounded disconcerted by the sudden outbreak of the violence. Some hinted that it was senseless, wasteful. But everyone spoke very guardedly. And these people all know but don't trust, one another."
Daniel's mother is one who is astutely German. She refuses to be anything else. Denying everything until the law makes her acknowledge her Jewish heritage. Afterwards, she becomes anxious. Worried. Stressed beyond belief. She worries for her niece and brother who are not protected as she is because she's married to a "fully German" man. As conditions worsen she implores her husband to either divorce her in order to protect him and his law office or to have the entire family emigrate elsewhere. Her husbands stubborn refusal to do either eventually breaks her. Anxiety spills out of her and she ends up hating and distrusting everyone.
"Whatever happens, the main thing is that your desk will stay in perfect order! That is your sad philosophy of life."
"Reason is our highest good. It's important that we hold on to our reason, even when we're facing inhumanity."
Armin is David's best friend. Growing up in poor conditions, he always felt left out in school. It was David who became his friend. Who saw him as his equal. They may have forged a childish blood brother bond but it's one that Armin holds dear to him. He joins the HJ (Hitler Jugend) i.e Hitler Youth, where boys learned how to be "good German citizens". When he learns of David's Jewish background he becomes conflicted. Everything he had been taught up till now is put at stake. He was told how inferior and evil Jews where yet how can that be when his best friend, his friend who never abandoned him, never deserted him, included him, is half Jewish? How can Jews be so evil if he was always welcomed by David and Miriam (David's cousin)?
"I just think they should be consistent. If they don't want the Jews anymore, then they shouldn't recite poems or sing songs with words by Jewish poets."
The novel focuses on how people were overtaken by a militaristic minority party. The lesson there seemed to be, yell loud enough and people will support you. Of course support comes in the form of dictatorship raining down on the citizens. Subtly of course. No one spoke out. Those who did were "dealt" with. People kept to themselves. Nobody realized the power they have in groups. When the mass population gets separated by distrust, frustration, and hate it's easy for the spider to ensnare it's prey.
"Sophie noted how scared people were, even of their own telephones, in which they suspected sneaky listening devices might be hidden to record not just phone conversations, but every words spoken in the room. And nobody did anything about it. No, people accepted being afraid. They grew used to it-and this seemed to Sophie even worse. They stopped noticing the symptoms of the sickness, started to forget that things hadn't always been like that. Criminals, murderers, were governing the country, and the people cheered for them. Surely nowhere else would the citizenry hold still for that monkey with the mustache ranting and screaming. The strength and the spirit that had once created art, poetry, and science were now spent creating the worst of all possible worlds."
The book shows how the education system was changed. Brainwashing was installed in every possible crevice. Lessons shifted to somehow show how the Aryan mind was superbly better then the rest and therefore, the superior race. Every part of the body was measured and compared with to show the inferiority of other races. Commanding respect for those in higher positions was installed into the students. Again, the motto went, if your superior commanded you to bark, you fell on your knees and barked. Naturally, this combined with all the propaganda led to the manipulation of the mind. It made people stand down. Made them weak to injustice. Is it because they realized the futility or allowed the situation to become futile?
What I liked most especially is the way in which morality is handled in this book. It's very much like the events that actually took place. Is everyone to blame or is on one to blame (other than Hitler of course)? You see this through both Daniel's and Armin's eyes. While Daniel gets subjected to the slurs, Armin realizes the way the system works. When he tries to raise a voice in protest. When he tries to make people realize their errors. Tries to get people to open their eyes. He gets taught a very important lesson. In dictatorship, there is no justice. There is only right and wrong and those who are obedient, brutal, loyal, commanding are right. I like how Chojewitz displayed the humanity in Armin. A young boy who doesn't understand his society anymore. Who is split between his loyalty to his friends and his loyalty to his country. It begs the reader to question what they would do. It also tore my heart as you see the bond between the 2 boys being frayed apart.
"I'm just doing my job here; everything else is no concern of mine."
November 9, 2022
I have read a lot of books about, and set in, Nazi Germany partially because I teach an eighth grade unit on the Holocaust. This book caught my eye because it is from such a unique perspective. What I love about this is how the author does such a fantastic job of making things so real and truly understandable. A lot of the time, people think, "Why didn't they just leave?" Or "I would never if I were in that position." This book so thoroughly examines how and why people didn't leave, couldn't leave, or chose to act in ways against their morals. It has great descriptive scenes including the start of dehumanizing Jews in schools in Germany where a teacher measured kids' heads. And despite the heavy topic, the ending was good. Offers a new lens for learning and thinking about the Holocaust.
December 10, 2019
Set in Germany during Hitler's rise to power, Daniel is a typical German boy: he has a best friend, Armin, a family who loves him and does well in school. Until he learns something that changes his entire world.
This book is different from others set in this time period as it is not necessarily about a Jewish family being persecuted. It is the story of an ordinary German family who find themselves at odds with the Nazi regime.
Definitely a must-read.
This book is different from others set in this time period as it is not necessarily about a Jewish family being persecuted. It is the story of an ordinary German family who find themselves at odds with the Nazi regime.
Definitely a must-read.
January 8, 2025
Beautiful story telling with a crucial, bittersweet story. Daniel half human is one of those books that will get you thinking about life, friendship, and what true loyalty looks like. I think it’s a book everyone should read and digest.
August 1, 2010
Genre: fiction
Format: traditional literature text
Grade level: upper middle school and high school
David Chotjewitz' Daniel Half Human: And the Good Nazi follows the lives of two best friends, Daniel and Armin, through the years of Hitler’s reign. In the beginning of the story both boys want to join the Nazi party and are inspired by Hitler. However, Daniel finds out that his mother is in fact Jewish and this in turn changes his views about the movement which is taking place. He soon finds himself as an outsider and an enemy to his best friend.
As luck would have it the two boys constantly come face-to-face in situations where they have to either choose to honor their friendship or remain sworn enemies. In all of these instances their beliefs supersede their previous relationship. The narrative depicts life in Germany during the early years of Hitler’s dictatorship. Daniel and his family leave for the United States before the most horrific parts of the Holocaust are seen. However, after the war Daniel returns to Germany and has another run-in with his former friend Armin.
This novel combines fiction with elements of fact. The story at times seems a bit incredulous because of how Daniel and Armin’s lives constantly intersect; however, the story line is still an enjoyable read. Instead of focusing completely on the horrors of the Holocaust the novel shows how Germany transitions from a calm atmosphere to that of a catastrophe for the Jewish people. The subtle escalation of events coupled with Daniel and Armin’s storyline helps to explain how a situation so horrific could progress.
The novel has many themes including friendships, family values, Jewish heritage, racism, etc. This novel would be best for a high school audience since some of the themes carry an angry yet compelling tone. Readers of this novel will want to read more books about the Holocaust and also about Jewish culture. An example of these types of books would be Anita Lobel's No Pretty Pictures: A Child of War and Jacob Boas' We are Witnesses: Five Diaries of Teenagers Who Died in the Holocaust.
Format: traditional literature text
Grade level: upper middle school and high school
David Chotjewitz' Daniel Half Human: And the Good Nazi follows the lives of two best friends, Daniel and Armin, through the years of Hitler’s reign. In the beginning of the story both boys want to join the Nazi party and are inspired by Hitler. However, Daniel finds out that his mother is in fact Jewish and this in turn changes his views about the movement which is taking place. He soon finds himself as an outsider and an enemy to his best friend.
As luck would have it the two boys constantly come face-to-face in situations where they have to either choose to honor their friendship or remain sworn enemies. In all of these instances their beliefs supersede their previous relationship. The narrative depicts life in Germany during the early years of Hitler’s dictatorship. Daniel and his family leave for the United States before the most horrific parts of the Holocaust are seen. However, after the war Daniel returns to Germany and has another run-in with his former friend Armin.
This novel combines fiction with elements of fact. The story at times seems a bit incredulous because of how Daniel and Armin’s lives constantly intersect; however, the story line is still an enjoyable read. Instead of focusing completely on the horrors of the Holocaust the novel shows how Germany transitions from a calm atmosphere to that of a catastrophe for the Jewish people. The subtle escalation of events coupled with Daniel and Armin’s storyline helps to explain how a situation so horrific could progress.
The novel has many themes including friendships, family values, Jewish heritage, racism, etc. This novel would be best for a high school audience since some of the themes carry an angry yet compelling tone. Readers of this novel will want to read more books about the Holocaust and also about Jewish culture. An example of these types of books would be Anita Lobel's No Pretty Pictures: A Child of War and Jacob Boas' We are Witnesses: Five Diaries of Teenagers Who Died in the Holocaust.
May 16, 2016
In the book Daniel Half human by David Chotjewitz it talks about a boy who has been supporting the Nazi party and doing vandalism against the government they have. Soon Hitler is being elected in Germany and all his supporters are praising him because he is going to make the country great again. The one thing that Daniel does not know is that his half Jewish and the Nazi party and Hitler do not like the Jewish people because of they believe in. His mom ends up telling him that he is Jewish, but Daniel does not accept because he has been brainwashed already by the political party. Daniel does not want to tell his best friend that he is jewish because the Germans are already hating on the Jewish.
“I knew the city inside out, every inch of it by heart, there was no more city”(p5). In this part of the book they have been in war already the war is about to end, its the year 1945. Daniel was starting to realize what hitler had done wrong and was trying to help out the people who were still in the middle of the war. He was trying to bring and do everything right, he wanted to go his house but he could not because it was not really there and they would shoot him if he was spotted. The good thing that he did was that he had joined the the U.S. military to help fight against the people who had betrayed him. When he was looking at what used to be his home place he started to visualize what he had done when he was young as a kid and remembered what he would eat. Then started to get a taste of the food they would sell down the street. This some book has a connection to the problems we are having right now with Donald trump and the Latin community. It's a connection because most Latin want to be known as American and but they are not. But some Latin are American citizens but are still being offended by it. These people want to take out trump but they don't have no idea what they are saying. This shows what Daniel was going through just how the Latino community is going through right now.
“I knew the city inside out, every inch of it by heart, there was no more city”(p5). In this part of the book they have been in war already the war is about to end, its the year 1945. Daniel was starting to realize what hitler had done wrong and was trying to help out the people who were still in the middle of the war. He was trying to bring and do everything right, he wanted to go his house but he could not because it was not really there and they would shoot him if he was spotted. The good thing that he did was that he had joined the the U.S. military to help fight against the people who had betrayed him. When he was looking at what used to be his home place he started to visualize what he had done when he was young as a kid and remembered what he would eat. Then started to get a taste of the food they would sell down the street. This some book has a connection to the problems we are having right now with Donald trump and the Latin community. It's a connection because most Latin want to be known as American and but they are not. But some Latin are American citizens but are still being offended by it. These people want to take out trump but they don't have no idea what they are saying. This shows what Daniel was going through just how the Latino community is going through right now.
September 30, 2009
Daniel Half-Human and the Good Nazi
Author: David Chotjewitz
Translator: Doris Orgel
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Publishing Division
© 2000
ISBN code: 0-689-85747
Price: $17.95
Pages: 292
Age group: 9 and up
Rating: 9/10
Daniel Half-Human and the Good Nazi is a thrilling historical fiction novel about how life was during the Holocaust. Daniel, a teenage boy, is living a normal life before Hitler became chancellor. He and his friend Armin want nothing more then for the Nazis to come to power. Suddenly, out of the blue, his mom tells Daniel that she is a Jew, so Daniel is a half-Jew, and in the eyes of the Nazis, Half-Human. Even worse, Hitler has become chancellor. What will happen to Daniel?
There are two parts to this book. You get to know the life of Daniel: a World War II translator. The other part is about Daniel: a teenager learning about the real world and is growing up. Daniel Half-Human and the Good Nazi is a remarkable book. David Chotjewitz creates a strong book with many twists and turns. I myself was thrown in with the rhythm and caught in the mix of things, so that the book gave me suspense at every turn of the page.
I recommend Daniel Half-Human to anyone who wants to learn about the Holocaust and its effects without reading boring biographies, memoirs, or nonfiction stories. Daniel Half-Human and the Good Nazi has won the Batchelder award, which is the award for the best translated book. The story deserves the award because it is both tantalizing and informative. Besides being an award winning author, David Chotjewitz, is a theatre director and a translator. David grew up in Hamburg, Germany with one daughter and David’s other book is Crazy Diamond. I guarantee that you will be absorbed into the breathtaking pages of Daniel Half-Human and the Good Nazi because I totally cherished it and I’m sure you will too.
--Justin
Author: David Chotjewitz
Translator: Doris Orgel
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Publishing Division
© 2000
ISBN code: 0-689-85747
Price: $17.95
Pages: 292
Age group: 9 and up
Rating: 9/10
Daniel Half-Human and the Good Nazi is a thrilling historical fiction novel about how life was during the Holocaust. Daniel, a teenage boy, is living a normal life before Hitler became chancellor. He and his friend Armin want nothing more then for the Nazis to come to power. Suddenly, out of the blue, his mom tells Daniel that she is a Jew, so Daniel is a half-Jew, and in the eyes of the Nazis, Half-Human. Even worse, Hitler has become chancellor. What will happen to Daniel?
There are two parts to this book. You get to know the life of Daniel: a World War II translator. The other part is about Daniel: a teenager learning about the real world and is growing up. Daniel Half-Human and the Good Nazi is a remarkable book. David Chotjewitz creates a strong book with many twists and turns. I myself was thrown in with the rhythm and caught in the mix of things, so that the book gave me suspense at every turn of the page.
I recommend Daniel Half-Human to anyone who wants to learn about the Holocaust and its effects without reading boring biographies, memoirs, or nonfiction stories. Daniel Half-Human and the Good Nazi has won the Batchelder award, which is the award for the best translated book. The story deserves the award because it is both tantalizing and informative. Besides being an award winning author, David Chotjewitz, is a theatre director and a translator. David grew up in Hamburg, Germany with one daughter and David’s other book is Crazy Diamond. I guarantee that you will be absorbed into the breathtaking pages of Daniel Half-Human and the Good Nazi because I totally cherished it and I’m sure you will too.
--Justin
November 5, 2010
This book focused on the years 1933, when Hitler took power, to right before the war broke out in 1939. Daniel doesn't know that he is half Jewish, on his mother's side, until he is a teenager and wants to join the HJ. His best friend Armin stays friends with him until the climax of the story with Kristallnacht.
From a historical perspective, it's interesting to look at not only the experience of children at this time, but of someone who identifies himself as a German, not someone who is Jewish. The increasing persecution of Jews is mentioned, but I never really felt like I was able to connect with the characters and their experiences. It was made clear that the persecution of Jews didn't happen at once, that it didn't have the same effect on everybody all at once, but the words and actions of the characters could have better reflected the historical time period. I was surprised that with the abundance of radio programs featuring Hitler's speeches and speeches by his inner circle, nothing was quoted in this book from actual speeches given on the subject of the "Jewish problem."
I think the disconnect between the action and subject of the book and myself comes from the POV the author used--each Part was preceded by a short section narrated by David in 1945. Then the story jumps back in time first to 1933, then progresses with these interludes by David to 1939. When David is narrating, you get the best sense of what has happened to Germany and to him. The flashbacks are told in thrid person, and you never get close to what any one character is thinking and feeling. You know the basic rationale behind their words and actions, but nothing more in depth to make you identify or care about the characters.
From a historical perspective, it's interesting to look at not only the experience of children at this time, but of someone who identifies himself as a German, not someone who is Jewish. The increasing persecution of Jews is mentioned, but I never really felt like I was able to connect with the characters and their experiences. It was made clear that the persecution of Jews didn't happen at once, that it didn't have the same effect on everybody all at once, but the words and actions of the characters could have better reflected the historical time period. I was surprised that with the abundance of radio programs featuring Hitler's speeches and speeches by his inner circle, nothing was quoted in this book from actual speeches given on the subject of the "Jewish problem."
I think the disconnect between the action and subject of the book and myself comes from the POV the author used--each Part was preceded by a short section narrated by David in 1945. Then the story jumps back in time first to 1933, then progresses with these interludes by David to 1939. When David is narrating, you get the best sense of what has happened to Germany and to him. The flashbacks are told in thrid person, and you never get close to what any one character is thinking and feeling. You know the basic rationale behind their words and actions, but nothing more in depth to make you identify or care about the characters.
November 28, 2009
Another YA project book, which was a really surprising and good book. I found it really interesting because it really delved into what it was like to be a teenager growing up during the rise of the Nazi regime and how other Germans reacted to what was happening in their country, a story that seems to be rarely told.
"Daniel Half Human: And the Good Nazi" is a riveting historical fiction novel about two best friends Daniel and Armin. Daniel's father is a well-known lawyer and they live in a beautiful house on the more upscale part of Hamburg, while Armin is from the wrong side of the tracks. Both boys are excited when the Nazi party comes into power in Germany, and want to join the Hitler Youth. Daniel's dreams are shattered the day he learns he is half-Jewish on his mother's side, but is reluctant to tell Armin about it as he has secretly joined the Hitler Youth without his father's permission. Armin sticks by him though, and they remain friends. Things become sticky again when Armin is seen in the company of Daniel's Jewish cousin Miriam, and the SS go to Daniel's family's house on Kristalnacht to ship Daniel and Miriam to a concentration camp. Will Daniel and his family escape the Nazis? You must read this book to find out.
"Daniel Half Human: And the Good Nazi" is a riveting historical fiction novel about two best friends Daniel and Armin. Daniel's father is a well-known lawyer and they live in a beautiful house on the more upscale part of Hamburg, while Armin is from the wrong side of the tracks. Both boys are excited when the Nazi party comes into power in Germany, and want to join the Hitler Youth. Daniel's dreams are shattered the day he learns he is half-Jewish on his mother's side, but is reluctant to tell Armin about it as he has secretly joined the Hitler Youth without his father's permission. Armin sticks by him though, and they remain friends. Things become sticky again when Armin is seen in the company of Daniel's Jewish cousin Miriam, and the SS go to Daniel's family's house on Kristalnacht to ship Daniel and Miriam to a concentration camp. Will Daniel and his family escape the Nazis? You must read this book to find out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2014
Clearly, the author has done a lot of background research, and being from Germany himself, is clearly familiar with the placenames and whereabouts of towns in his land. He provides a grim, graphic, and disturbing picture of what it was like for Jews during the Nazi regime before WW2. He provides us with a tragic love story, complex characters, and a gut-punching conclusion.
However, I felt that the book could have been improved in a number of ways, especially with grammar, plot paceing, and some of the dialogue came off as "on the nose" to me. If the book had been better paced and perhaps focussed more on the YA protagonists, rather than the parents as well, I may have given this a higher rating. Instead, we never get to *truly* get in the minds and personalities of the characters as we frequently head-hop from one to another, sometimes even in the same chapter.
However, I felt that the book could have been improved in a number of ways, especially with grammar, plot paceing, and some of the dialogue came off as "on the nose" to me. If the book had been better paced and perhaps focussed more on the YA protagonists, rather than the parents as well, I may have given this a higher rating. Instead, we never get to *truly* get in the minds and personalities of the characters as we frequently head-hop from one to another, sometimes even in the same chapter.
Read
May 28, 2014This is a great book. Daniel Half-Human is about a boy who supports Hitler, but then finds out he is half-Jewish. When Hitler does come to power, Daniel has to keep his identity a secret from everyone or else he will be persecuted. However, people do find out and everything in his life changes. He is expelled from school and grows apart from his best friends. Eventually things reach a boiling piny and it become a race to leave Germany and survive. This book is great, especially as it doesn't tell the Holocaust from the point of a victim but rather an ordinary boy. I love Daniel's growth through the book and the ending has a lot of meaning in it. I highly recommend this book.
September 28, 2008
This is the best young adult book I have read these last few months. It tells the story of WW-II from the viewpoint of friends living inside Germany. So many people ask, "How could people fail to see what was happening and why didn't they resist?" This shows the gradual influence of the Nazi regime and eerily makes the reader realize that actions similar to this can happen anywhere, mostly because you don't think it could happen "here."
April 8, 2014
Fantastic book. You HAVE to read this. The characters are relatable and believable and the setting is as chilling and disturbing as it should be--you see that war and discrimination are bloody and cruel and do real damage. Much, much better than The Book Thief, which is also set in Nazi Germany. I love this book. I almost cried. Just read it.
June 6, 2014
I did Nazi that ending coming.
January 29, 2019
Everyone wants or needs a friend. Friends are loyal and won’t leave you for anything, or will they?
Daniel Half-Human: And the Good Nazi is a great historical fiction novel written by David Chotjewitz. This book takes place in the mid-1930s before World War II took place. During World War II, Hitler is in power. This may upset people because Hitler didn't just "dislike" the Jewish people, he despised them enough to wipe out millions. Daniel, the main character, lived a normal life until Hitler came into power. Daniel and Armin, his friend, want to be in the Hitler Youth. By "swearing eternal brotherhood" they slit their wrists and "mingled" their blood. They were best friends, but Daniel finds out his mother is half Jewish, so he’s a half-Jew to the Nazi’s. Everything was going to change for him.
The author, David Chotjewitz published Daniel Half-Human: And the Good Nazi in 2000. This is his best-known book and has won an award for being the best-translated book, (Batchelder award). Besides winning this award, Chotjewitz is also a theatre director and translator.
Chotjewitz makes two parts to this story. Present-day Daniel: a World War II translator, and past-day Daniel: a teenager getting through his daily life as a half-Jew. Chotjewitz has many twists in his story. For every page you turn, there is just more and more suspense waiting for you. Chotjewitz uses the dramatic structure to explain events and actions within the story. It’s very noticeable to map out the event he uses for each part. He makes the story more dramatic by having lots of rising action.
This book is for those who want to learn about the Holocaust, the life of those who have survived and the treatment they got for being half-Jew.
Daniel was first a supporter of Hitler and his belief until he found out about his secret of being half Jewish. He grows throughout this book and ends with a great plot twist. People can relate to Daniel because he gets bullied for being a Jew and today some kids get bullied and deal with the same problem as him. Having the same problems as Daniel, people can relate to him and learn from him to help with their own situations.
Same with Armin and Daniel’s friendship. Many teenagers have a hard time finding the right friends, or fitting in with the right “crowd.” The loyalty that Armin and Daniel had in their childhood is something that people can relate to. Armin should’ve been a better friend to Daniel. He gave up when things started getting hard for Daniel and left. He should’ve been a better friend and stayed with him all the way. That’s what a true friend is.
Many teenagers, female or male, can relate to some of the situations that happen in this book. Since high schoolers start to deal with justice and the Holocaust, it’s very appropriate for that type of age group. Even some 8th graders might be able to comprehend this book with understanding.
This book is very different than other World War II books because it’s not written from the perspective of a Holocaust victim. Like in Night by Elie Wiesel, the novel is about a boy, his father, and their life trying to survive those horrible concentration camps. It’s extremely sad, terrifying, and depressing. They described the horrible things they did to the people in the camps. But Daniel Half-Human: And the Good Nazi doesn’t compare to Night that much. It’s more about friendship and relationships throughout the book. It doesn’t focus only on the bad things of the Holocaust, but the relationships between characters and how they deal with problems in their life; problems that we can face as well.
As I’ve been saying throughout this whole review, friendship and loyalty are the number one theme in this book. When Armin was told not to hang out with Daniel anymore because he was half Jewish, he didn’t listen. Armin says “'Yes, you'll listen,’ Armin said. ‘You're my best friend anyway. Nothing will change that’” (Chotjewitz 143). This shows an everlasting friendship and loyalty in Armin and Daniel. No matter what happens between them, they will always stick together. Though friendship is a big theme in this book, it doesn’t always turn out the way it should be.
Someone who is loyal and won’t turn you away is someone called a true friend.
Daniel Half-Human: And the Good Nazi is a great historical fiction novel written by David Chotjewitz. This book takes place in the mid-1930s before World War II took place. During World War II, Hitler is in power. This may upset people because Hitler didn't just "dislike" the Jewish people, he despised them enough to wipe out millions. Daniel, the main character, lived a normal life until Hitler came into power. Daniel and Armin, his friend, want to be in the Hitler Youth. By "swearing eternal brotherhood" they slit their wrists and "mingled" their blood. They were best friends, but Daniel finds out his mother is half Jewish, so he’s a half-Jew to the Nazi’s. Everything was going to change for him.
The author, David Chotjewitz published Daniel Half-Human: And the Good Nazi in 2000. This is his best-known book and has won an award for being the best-translated book, (Batchelder award). Besides winning this award, Chotjewitz is also a theatre director and translator.
Chotjewitz makes two parts to this story. Present-day Daniel: a World War II translator, and past-day Daniel: a teenager getting through his daily life as a half-Jew. Chotjewitz has many twists in his story. For every page you turn, there is just more and more suspense waiting for you. Chotjewitz uses the dramatic structure to explain events and actions within the story. It’s very noticeable to map out the event he uses for each part. He makes the story more dramatic by having lots of rising action.
This book is for those who want to learn about the Holocaust, the life of those who have survived and the treatment they got for being half-Jew.
Daniel was first a supporter of Hitler and his belief until he found out about his secret of being half Jewish. He grows throughout this book and ends with a great plot twist. People can relate to Daniel because he gets bullied for being a Jew and today some kids get bullied and deal with the same problem as him. Having the same problems as Daniel, people can relate to him and learn from him to help with their own situations.
Same with Armin and Daniel’s friendship. Many teenagers have a hard time finding the right friends, or fitting in with the right “crowd.” The loyalty that Armin and Daniel had in their childhood is something that people can relate to. Armin should’ve been a better friend to Daniel. He gave up when things started getting hard for Daniel and left. He should’ve been a better friend and stayed with him all the way. That’s what a true friend is.
Many teenagers, female or male, can relate to some of the situations that happen in this book. Since high schoolers start to deal with justice and the Holocaust, it’s very appropriate for that type of age group. Even some 8th graders might be able to comprehend this book with understanding.
This book is very different than other World War II books because it’s not written from the perspective of a Holocaust victim. Like in Night by Elie Wiesel, the novel is about a boy, his father, and their life trying to survive those horrible concentration camps. It’s extremely sad, terrifying, and depressing. They described the horrible things they did to the people in the camps. But Daniel Half-Human: And the Good Nazi doesn’t compare to Night that much. It’s more about friendship and relationships throughout the book. It doesn’t focus only on the bad things of the Holocaust, but the relationships between characters and how they deal with problems in their life; problems that we can face as well.
As I’ve been saying throughout this whole review, friendship and loyalty are the number one theme in this book. When Armin was told not to hang out with Daniel anymore because he was half Jewish, he didn’t listen. Armin says “'Yes, you'll listen,’ Armin said. ‘You're my best friend anyway. Nothing will change that’” (Chotjewitz 143). This shows an everlasting friendship and loyalty in Armin and Daniel. No matter what happens between them, they will always stick together. Though friendship is a big theme in this book, it doesn’t always turn out the way it should be.
Someone who is loyal and won’t turn you away is someone called a true friend.
April 23, 2023
3.5 rating-quick easy read - YA on book cover
Story about boys through their teenage years-Daniel and Armin. Both want to join HJ-Hitler Jugend. After his father, Rheinhard says no, Daniel finds out his mothers grandparents were Jewish. They withdrew from jewish community because they were non-observant. This means that Daniel’s mother, Sophie is a Jewess and he is half Jewish. He stays in school but eventually gets found out while playing soccer. Sophie’s brother Sebastian gets put into a concentration camp for a short time because of his political views and because they’re Jewish, so her niece Miriam comes to live with them. Armin and Miriam begin seeing each other even though they know it’s forbidden since Armin is Aryan and has jointed the HJ. They get found out but Armin warns Daniel and Miriam to hide-this happens during the night of the broken glass. After pleading for years Reinhard finally agrees with Sophia to immigrate. They are able to get visas to the US and are able to get onto a boat to Havana. The story ends and jumps back-and-forth throughout the story with Daniel, returning to Hamburg in 1945. It is unknown what happens to Sebastian and Miriam, they were able to get passage to Havana, but not until summer of 1940. War breaks out prior to their departure, and Daniel never hears from them again his father died in Havana, unable to receive medical treatment, because they had no money when they immigrated. Him and his mother end up in New York city. But he returns to Hamburg as a translator, and the story ends with him interrogating Wehrmacht to find out if they were assess and part of the Nazi party. He sees Armin being questioned by a fellow translator-asks to see his arm, and sees that he has scratched off his SS number from his arm. He lied to the translator, saying he was not SS and not part of the Nazi party, that he was just doing what he was being told to do.
Story about boys through their teenage years-Daniel and Armin. Both want to join HJ-Hitler Jugend. After his father, Rheinhard says no, Daniel finds out his mothers grandparents were Jewish. They withdrew from jewish community because they were non-observant. This means that Daniel’s mother, Sophie is a Jewess and he is half Jewish. He stays in school but eventually gets found out while playing soccer. Sophie’s brother Sebastian gets put into a concentration camp for a short time because of his political views and because they’re Jewish, so her niece Miriam comes to live with them. Armin and Miriam begin seeing each other even though they know it’s forbidden since Armin is Aryan and has jointed the HJ. They get found out but Armin warns Daniel and Miriam to hide-this happens during the night of the broken glass. After pleading for years Reinhard finally agrees with Sophia to immigrate. They are able to get visas to the US and are able to get onto a boat to Havana. The story ends and jumps back-and-forth throughout the story with Daniel, returning to Hamburg in 1945. It is unknown what happens to Sebastian and Miriam, they were able to get passage to Havana, but not until summer of 1940. War breaks out prior to their departure, and Daniel never hears from them again his father died in Havana, unable to receive medical treatment, because they had no money when they immigrated. Him and his mother end up in New York city. But he returns to Hamburg as a translator, and the story ends with him interrogating Wehrmacht to find out if they were assess and part of the Nazi party. He sees Armin being questioned by a fellow translator-asks to see his arm, and sees that he has scratched off his SS number from his arm. He lied to the translator, saying he was not SS and not part of the Nazi party, that he was just doing what he was being told to do.
July 12, 2019
A powerful read that focuses on the years leading up to the start of WWII. I don't know that I've read a YA book before that so thoroughly details the events of this time period, as the Nazi regime very gradually makes incremental changes in how the Jewish people of Germany are treated. There are some quotes in here that particularly resonated with me because of how they could be describing the American political climate (and government) these days.
I also thought it was interesting that the protagonist in this novel is half-Jewish. Daniel spends a large part of the novel not really knowing who he is; he decides who he isn't -- German -- more easily. The fact that he is half-Jewish also affected how the laws influenced him -- he was given certain allowances that Jewish people were not.
How Daniel has internalized the hatred and bigotry put forth by the Nazis is very evident in how he initially reacts to the news of his mother's ancestry, and how he grapples and comes to terms with it throughout the story. Indeed, for a large part of the book, none of the characters speak up against the racist arguments being made against the Jews (not even the Jewish characters themselves). Daniel, for example, usually brings forth the fact that he is half Jewish when racist claims are brought up, as though he doesn't want to be grouped with Jews, rather than that the statements themselves are morally repugnant. Thankfully towards the end, characters such as Daniel's cousin, Miriam, and eventually Daniel himself, voice thoughts against the racism being spewed forth.
Daniel's feelings about his homeland are very mixed, which I thought was realistic. While he no longer considers himself German, he clearly loves his country as a whole, and has many good memories of his childhood there.
His relationship with his friend Armin is also an important part of the story. Armin's outlook on events comes to a stark contrast with Daniel's outlook at a certain point (). The book concludes their relationship in a slightly unexpected way.
I also thought it was interesting that the protagonist in this novel is half-Jewish. Daniel spends a large part of the novel not really knowing who he is; he decides who he isn't -- German -- more easily. The fact that he is half-Jewish also affected how the laws influenced him -- he was given certain allowances that Jewish people were not.
How Daniel has internalized the hatred and bigotry put forth by the Nazis is very evident in how he initially reacts to the news of his mother's ancestry, and how he grapples and comes to terms with it throughout the story. Indeed, for a large part of the book, none of the characters speak up against the racist arguments being made against the Jews (not even the Jewish characters themselves). Daniel, for example, usually brings forth the fact that he is half Jewish when racist claims are brought up, as though he doesn't want to be grouped with Jews, rather than that the statements themselves are morally repugnant. Thankfully towards the end, characters such as Daniel's cousin, Miriam, and eventually Daniel himself, voice thoughts against the racism being spewed forth.
Daniel's feelings about his homeland are very mixed, which I thought was realistic. While he no longer considers himself German, he clearly loves his country as a whole, and has many good memories of his childhood there.
His relationship with his friend Armin is also an important part of the story. Armin's outlook on events comes to a stark contrast with Daniel's outlook at a certain point (). The book concludes their relationship in a slightly unexpected way.
October 10, 2019
Conor Brooks
Woc Block 3
10/10/19
Daniel Half Human
Last week I finished the book Daniel Half Human by David Chotjewitz. Most of the book takes place in a small town in Germany with two boys named Daniel and Armin. They both are young and attend the same gymnasium. They are best friends they do everything together but one thing they love Is Adolf Hitler. They go through many adventures together some end up in bad places, But everything changes as Daniel found out his mom was a Jew and his dad was German. He was often picked on for being Jewish but as they grew up and Adolf Hitler grew to power Daniel and his family went through multiple struggles. It mostly ended with armin ratting out Daniels house to gain power in the HJ but Daniel had fled with his cousin to Armins uncles house where the cousin and Armin would hide away together. All in all I really liked this book.
I really liked this book because it always left me wondering what was next it often was what I read while not doing anything. I also liked this book because it was very action packed I never got bored. “Where are your son...and the Jewish whore”...”And now the smack!. Armin reached back and smacked Reinhard.” Pg 262. This is my example of the action packed and emotional writing it kinda shows how because I was left wondering what would happen after the slap. Someone who would enjoy this book would be someone who is interested in World War 2 and some type of romance/drama. I would rate this book a 5 out of 5 because it kept me on my toes the whole book.
Woc Block 3
10/10/19
Daniel Half Human
Last week I finished the book Daniel Half Human by David Chotjewitz. Most of the book takes place in a small town in Germany with two boys named Daniel and Armin. They both are young and attend the same gymnasium. They are best friends they do everything together but one thing they love Is Adolf Hitler. They go through many adventures together some end up in bad places, But everything changes as Daniel found out his mom was a Jew and his dad was German. He was often picked on for being Jewish but as they grew up and Adolf Hitler grew to power Daniel and his family went through multiple struggles. It mostly ended with armin ratting out Daniels house to gain power in the HJ but Daniel had fled with his cousin to Armins uncles house where the cousin and Armin would hide away together. All in all I really liked this book.
I really liked this book because it always left me wondering what was next it often was what I read while not doing anything. I also liked this book because it was very action packed I never got bored. “Where are your son...and the Jewish whore”...”And now the smack!. Armin reached back and smacked Reinhard.” Pg 262. This is my example of the action packed and emotional writing it kinda shows how because I was left wondering what would happen after the slap. Someone who would enjoy this book would be someone who is interested in World War 2 and some type of romance/drama. I would rate this book a 5 out of 5 because it kept me on my toes the whole book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2019
This was very interesting not only was there conflict with his family Daniel one of the main characters was put back into the environment he was growing up in fighting against the enemy in world war 2 and the holocaust. He encounters his childhood friend, Armin while exploring his old town. later in the book it cuts back to the past where both Armin and Daniel were still kids. They get caught painting a swastika on a school wall where the "communists" live. later Daniel finds out his mother is half Jewish after joining the hitlers youth group.
October 24, 2017
This book was kind of good. It started talking about what the friends were doing then would switch to another topic. It was about two friends that started painting swastikas on buildings then wanted to join the Nazis. One of the boys, Daniel, was half Jew or half human to the Nazis, and no one knew that except for his best friend, Armin. Both of the boys' fate lied in each other's hands, and they experienced some things that could've tore them apart.
May 5, 2019
Another powerful WWII novel. This novel takes on the happenings before the war breaks out. The author does a wonderful job embedding historical facts along with realistic characters. These characters were complex. As a reader I gained a deeper understand of how people could let something like the Holocaust happen. I also gained an understanding of why people didn’t flee Germany when all signs pointed to tragic events.
November 2, 2017
I enjoyed this book. Since I am very interested in the history of the Nazi Party, this book appealed to me. The main character, Daniel, is very curious and that also intreeged me. It also has the perspective of the other side of the Holoucaust. If you like learning about the Holoucaust, this is a good book for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this book. I felt like it gave a very different perspective on the events that occurred in Germany during the #0's and 40's. It was interesting to hear the perspective of a half Jewish/German boy, because this is no the typical story that we learned in school. Overall i enjoyed this book and i recommended it to anyone who enjoys history.
Read
February 14, 2022A truly moving book. Daniel starts out painting the sign of the Nazi's on walls and ends by him being an interpreter for the U.S army. Daniel learns about himself along the way and becomes a new man. He finally accepts who he is and learns to love it, even if it means losing the people he cares about.
January 9, 2018
I did not like this book. From the first page I thought it was boring it just isn´t a very good book for me. I personally wouldn´t recommend it to anyone. This will probably be the last time I read a historical fiction book. The whole genre just isn´t for me
February 13, 2019
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in WW2. It really gives a lot of insight into how people's lives have been affected by the rise of Hitler. This book is about Daniel, a half-Jew, and how his family had spiraled downhill along with the rise of Hitler.
March 15, 2019
The book wasn’t bad, but the ending ruined the book for me. For being a very long story that could have been paced better the ending was very rushed. The author put very little detail in and it seemed like he himself got tired of his own work.
May 18, 2019
This book was good book in the part of how I felt like I could actually be there, but It lack in the sense of keeping me hooked. At times I felt bored and could not fallow the story line, but with the storyline of our two characters it worked out.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews