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Graffiti Knight
After a childhood cut short by war and the harsh strictures of Nazi Germany, sixteen-year-old Wilm is finally tasting freedom. In spite of the scars World War II has left on his hometown, Leipzig, and in spite of the oppressive new Soviet regime, Wilm is finding his own voice. It’s dangerous, of course, to be sneaking out at night to leave messages on police buildings. But it’s exciting, too, and Wilm feels justified, considering his family’s suffering. Until one mission goes too far, and Wilm finds he’s endangered the very people he most wants to protect.
Award-winning author Karen Bass brings readers a fast-paced story about a boy fighting for self-expression in an era of censorship and struggle.
Award-winning author Karen Bass brings readers a fast-paced story about a boy fighting for self-expression in an era of censorship and struggle.
288 pages, Paperback
First published August 15, 2013
About the author
Karen Bass
16 books71 followersKaren's high school teacher told her she should be a writer, but it took quite a few years for that thought to take root. She began writing shortly after she was hired to manage the local library. Run Like Jager is her first novel, and she has seven more on her published shelf. Two novels, Graffiti Knight and Uncertain Soldier, won the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young Readers. Her newest novel, Blood Donor, is an Orca Soundings book for readers who like short, exciting stories, and is a Junior Library Guild Gold Star Selection.
A few years ago, Karen moved from her long-time home in northwest Alberta, to southern Ontario, where she is enjoying exploring a whole new province as she gathers new story ideas.
A few years ago, Karen moved from her long-time home in northwest Alberta, to southern Ontario, where she is enjoying exploring a whole new province as she gathers new story ideas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
September 18, 2013
An absolutely brilliant and compelling work of historical fiction. Wilhem is a complex and layered character, as are his family members and friends. It's about impossible choices, justice, friendship and hope, and it's a fast-paced page-turner. An absolute must-read!
August 16, 2016
3.5 stars.
It was good to get back to one of my favourite book topics, especially with a book written by someone from my home province!
It was good to get back to one of my favourite book topics, especially with a book written by someone from my home province!
July 25, 2014
Offering a fresh perspective on life for Germans after WWII, this book follows sixteen-year-old Wilm as he navigates Leipzig that is under control of the Soviets. Starting quietly with silly pranks, he leads his friends on missions that become increasingly more daring and that ultimately necessitate their fleeing the city. Readers will be able to feel the slowly simmering hatred that builds in Wilm toward the army that he considers to be his country's oppressors as well as Ernst, once someone he admired but now a puppet of those oppressors. An unlikely friendship with Otto, an engineer who points Wilm in a more positive direction, offers him hope and a possible way out of the mind-numbing existence he is leading. I enjoyed the details the author provides that make it clear how war and its after-effects touch everyone, including his father's alcohol-fueled rages. Incidents such as the Soviet's allowing much-needed butter to spoil in the sun due to incompetence or a lack of concern help readers understand some of what fuels Wilm's anger.
February 25, 2014
There is always another side of the story, and this book makes that abundantly clear. It has compelling, believable characters, and it is set in a place and time period that I knew little about -- despite the fact that my Dad lived in Leipzig during the time period in which the story takes place. My Dad has never talked much about the war and its aftermath, but after reading about Wilm and how he felt about and coped with his circumstances, I think I now have a better understanding of why my Dad felt the need to leave his home, knowing it might be forever, at the age of just 18. War does indeed "make victims of us all."
April 27, 2014
What makes this book special is that it captures a portion of history that has been buried and almost forgotten: the way the victors treat their captives and people once a war is over specifically in this story, WWII. Wilm is a compelling hotheaded rebel taking his mischief against the police and the Soviets to a point that endangers not only himself but his family and friends. Eventually he must say good bye to everything he has ever known.
September 9, 2025
An interesting novel that I'm looking at teaching to my Grade 10 English class. An interesting take on a side of history not often considered, and that's those who need to live on the losing side of a war, which we often see as very black and white. Interesting characters who don't always make the right choices, I think my high school students will really identify with the frustration of being born into circumstances you can't control, and wanting to seize control of your life.
April 29, 2019
This was well-written -but Bass is actually quite ahistorical in her writing. She does not acknowledge the reasons the Soviets would be furious with the Germans - the Nazi atrocities on the Eastern front were horrendous. Bass does not deal with the history of Nazi Germany at all - in her world, all the former soldiers were merely conscripts. This is a story many Germans tell each other (and I know this from my own family history). Bass leaves out the choices people made to support fascism. This area of Germany was highly anti-Semitic and devoted to Nazi ideology and practice; a historical novel should deal with those facts and that aftermath. The lack of acknowledgement of that history (by Bass and others) still has effects: Saxony is still - to this day - one of the areas of Germany with the highest numbers of right-wing extremists. And while the Soviet era was also awful - fascism in any form is evil - Bass’s book glides over all of that history.
I felt rather ill while reading this book, to be honest. How many people do not know the story of Nazi German atrocities on the Eastern front? How many people will accept this simplistic portrait of that time? I have family who lived in the-then East Germany and I know their stories - I am not a GDR apologist. But I also know the stories of my family members who were Nazi supporters and others who were not. Bass doesn’t deal with that reality - instead, we get a caricature of evil Soviets. It’s a well written book, but it’s not good history.
I felt rather ill while reading this book, to be honest. How many people do not know the story of Nazi German atrocities on the Eastern front? How many people will accept this simplistic portrait of that time? I have family who lived in the-then East Germany and I know their stories - I am not a GDR apologist. But I also know the stories of my family members who were Nazi supporters and others who were not. Bass doesn’t deal with that reality - instead, we get a caricature of evil Soviets. It’s a well written book, but it’s not good history.
November 23, 2021
Read a long time ago.
Wilm’s life in postwar Leipzig is hard: between his angry, wounded father, his damaged and withdrawn sister, an enigmatic engineer who takes an interest in him, and the young German officer who dumped his sister, Wilm sees no future for himself. When Wilm learns his sister was raped by Soviet soldiers, his rage turns to a need for revenge. At night he draws stick-figure puppets on buildings to anger the German police who work for the Soviet occupiers. He is soon soon committing other, more violent acts of vandalism. When his friends Karl and Georg get involved, Wilm is trapped between trying to protect his sister from her ex-boyfriend and his friend Georg from the police, and his own growing desire to make a life for himself away from Leipzig. He makes a Faustian bargain with the ex-boyfriend to spare Georg an interrogation, but one final, impulsive act of violence involving a grenade and the Soviet barracks sends Wilm and his friends on the run.
Wilm’s life in postwar Leipzig is hard: between his angry, wounded father, his damaged and withdrawn sister, an enigmatic engineer who takes an interest in him, and the young German officer who dumped his sister, Wilm sees no future for himself. When Wilm learns his sister was raped by Soviet soldiers, his rage turns to a need for revenge. At night he draws stick-figure puppets on buildings to anger the German police who work for the Soviet occupiers. He is soon soon committing other, more violent acts of vandalism. When his friends Karl and Georg get involved, Wilm is trapped between trying to protect his sister from her ex-boyfriend and his friend Georg from the police, and his own growing desire to make a life for himself away from Leipzig. He makes a Faustian bargain with the ex-boyfriend to spare Georg an interrogation, but one final, impulsive act of violence involving a grenade and the Soviet barracks sends Wilm and his friends on the run.
December 18, 2018
Wilm goes to school during the day like a normal teen, but at night he goes around destroying the soviets property. Karen Bass’s book Graffiti Knight storyline does very well at keeping your attention. The main character that the author created appeals to me. I like the main character wilm because he feels like he makes everything worse for his sister and he wants to do everything to protect her. I also like the fact that he is not afraid to do things to the Soviets. The fact that he is willing to risk his life for a greater cause is great. He would do different things to the Soviets like key there cars, pop their tires. The author did a really good job at describing the setting of the book to where I can get a vivid picture in my mind. She gave us a good description of the setting without it being too much description to where it would get boring. After hearing what happened to his sister he wanted to get revenge on the Soviets. But what he does put who he loves at risk. I can relate to this book because we both want to protect who we love. I like the way that the author wrote the story because it moves at a constant pace and I'm not bored of reading it.
June 13, 2017
I really didn't like the writing style, so although I want to give it less stars I'm giving it an even 3 because I know that's probably a personal problem and not necessarily going to apply to everyone.
June 6, 2017
Ok, so this was a Nutmeg choice, and I didn't finish it. It just wasn't holding my attention (gave up at page 124).
July 23, 2021
Read this for g10 class, was kinda ass, tried too hard and fell flat at the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2013
Originally posted at http://canlitforlittlecanadians.blogs...
Many books of historical fiction focus on the atrocities and hardships of war time but few examine the aftermath of war, especially for civilians in the defeated countries. Children's fiction and non-fiction of life in Nazi Germany abound, particularly for those who were victimized by the Nazis. But, after Germany's surrender in 1945, its lands were divided between four occupation zones administered by the British, Americans, French and Soviets, as well as having certain lands inhabited by Germans recovered by Poland and Czechoslovakia. This is the story of Wilhelm Tauber and his family and friends as they endure life in the town of Leipzig in the Soviet-controlled sector of Germany.
Wilhelm, who prefers to be called Wilm, as he perennially tells his father, has much that angers him about Leipzig's current circumstances. His father, who returned from war without one leg, is bitter about his loss and limited opportunities, and is regularly antagonistic to Wilm. His mother works as much as she can to help provide for the family. His older sister, Anneliese, spends much of her time in her room, except when she goes to work, dressed in boy's clothing. His friend, Georg, whose father died in the war, is essentially starving. His friend, Karl, has a father who was taken to a POW camp but he knows nothing else of his fate. And school is tedium for Wilm, doing well in math but only when applicable to real life. But the harassment of the Schupos, the German police under Soviet control, and the Soviets themselves, have created a prison for all in Leipzig, restricting their movements, their food, their opinions–all their freedoms–and evoking fear, compliance and silence. But nothing can compare to the anger Wilm experiences when he learns that Anneliese was raped by four Soviet soldiers at the train station where she went to meet her boyfriend, Ernst Weber, who promptly dropped her because she was no longer "untouched".
The game that Wilm, Karl and Georg regularly played, spying on the Schupos, pretending to be behind enemy lines and collecting intelligence for the Americans, becomes more real after Wilm begins taking chances to humiliate the Schupos and the Soviets, starting with the slashing of tires on several Soviet vans. An older man, Otto Steinhauer, an engineer contracted to inspect bridges, intercedes when Karl and Wilm begin fighting over Wilm's negligence. Soon Otto becomes a mentor to Wilm teaching him about bridges, math and engineering, as well as talking with him about Wilm's father, dealing with those in authority, and trust.
With the continued hostilities from the Soviets and the Schupos, including that of Anneliese's ex-boyfriend, Ernst, now a Schupo, Wilm feels compelled to escalate his attacks, becoming known as the Marionette Wolverine for the stickman puppet graffiti he leaves as his mark. But Wilm's resolve to get an innocent Georg released from jail has him questioning his own motives and actions, particularly after a final explosive act forces him to flee Leipzig, with friends and family in tow. What begins as civil disobedience in search of justice becomes a harrowing escape, jeopardizing the lives of all for whom he cares.
Karen Bass' thorough research, as she describes in her Historical Notes at the back of the book, provides the authentic background for Graffiti Knight, challenging all that readers might think they know about Nazi Germany and its aftermath. While all will see the Nazis as the criminals to humanity, we often forget that for others, the Soviets were just as barbaric to their victims, using some different means to oppress. By seeing Leipzig and other parts of Germany through the eyes of a young man of sixteen, who lives through World War II but experiences further injustice in its aftermath, when so many were celebrating victory, Karen Bass provides enlightenment via a new perspective. Heroes are not just made in war. Courage and compassion, the virtues of heroes anywhere and anytime, can make a knight out of anyone, even Wilm.
Many books of historical fiction focus on the atrocities and hardships of war time but few examine the aftermath of war, especially for civilians in the defeated countries. Children's fiction and non-fiction of life in Nazi Germany abound, particularly for those who were victimized by the Nazis. But, after Germany's surrender in 1945, its lands were divided between four occupation zones administered by the British, Americans, French and Soviets, as well as having certain lands inhabited by Germans recovered by Poland and Czechoslovakia. This is the story of Wilhelm Tauber and his family and friends as they endure life in the town of Leipzig in the Soviet-controlled sector of Germany.
Wilhelm, who prefers to be called Wilm, as he perennially tells his father, has much that angers him about Leipzig's current circumstances. His father, who returned from war without one leg, is bitter about his loss and limited opportunities, and is regularly antagonistic to Wilm. His mother works as much as she can to help provide for the family. His older sister, Anneliese, spends much of her time in her room, except when she goes to work, dressed in boy's clothing. His friend, Georg, whose father died in the war, is essentially starving. His friend, Karl, has a father who was taken to a POW camp but he knows nothing else of his fate. And school is tedium for Wilm, doing well in math but only when applicable to real life. But the harassment of the Schupos, the German police under Soviet control, and the Soviets themselves, have created a prison for all in Leipzig, restricting their movements, their food, their opinions–all their freedoms–and evoking fear, compliance and silence. But nothing can compare to the anger Wilm experiences when he learns that Anneliese was raped by four Soviet soldiers at the train station where she went to meet her boyfriend, Ernst Weber, who promptly dropped her because she was no longer "untouched".
The game that Wilm, Karl and Georg regularly played, spying on the Schupos, pretending to be behind enemy lines and collecting intelligence for the Americans, becomes more real after Wilm begins taking chances to humiliate the Schupos and the Soviets, starting with the slashing of tires on several Soviet vans. An older man, Otto Steinhauer, an engineer contracted to inspect bridges, intercedes when Karl and Wilm begin fighting over Wilm's negligence. Soon Otto becomes a mentor to Wilm teaching him about bridges, math and engineering, as well as talking with him about Wilm's father, dealing with those in authority, and trust.
With the continued hostilities from the Soviets and the Schupos, including that of Anneliese's ex-boyfriend, Ernst, now a Schupo, Wilm feels compelled to escalate his attacks, becoming known as the Marionette Wolverine for the stickman puppet graffiti he leaves as his mark. But Wilm's resolve to get an innocent Georg released from jail has him questioning his own motives and actions, particularly after a final explosive act forces him to flee Leipzig, with friends and family in tow. What begins as civil disobedience in search of justice becomes a harrowing escape, jeopardizing the lives of all for whom he cares.
Karen Bass' thorough research, as she describes in her Historical Notes at the back of the book, provides the authentic background for Graffiti Knight, challenging all that readers might think they know about Nazi Germany and its aftermath. While all will see the Nazis as the criminals to humanity, we often forget that for others, the Soviets were just as barbaric to their victims, using some different means to oppress. By seeing Leipzig and other parts of Germany through the eyes of a young man of sixteen, who lives through World War II but experiences further injustice in its aftermath, when so many were celebrating victory, Karen Bass provides enlightenment via a new perspective. Heroes are not just made in war. Courage and compassion, the virtues of heroes anywhere and anytime, can make a knight out of anyone, even Wilm.
October 16, 2014
I've been trying to sit and get this review done for... over a month! I enjoyed the book, so I've no idea why this is taking so long. Wish me luck.
Graffiti Knight takes place in East Germany after the fall of World War II, when the Eastern half of the country was under the control of the Soviets. While you might think this is an upgrade from the [nutcase] system in place running it a decade before, the picture we see of our characters lives make it very clear that isn't the case.
East Germany is still a totalitarian state in all but name, and the people treated like dirt not only by the Russian officers (seeking a scapegoat for their own resentments) who are overseeing overseeing the government and police force, but those members of the police who are locals themselves.
We're show this world through the eyes of Wilm, who is just an average teenage boy who would rather be out running around with his friends or helping support his family than struggling with school. He finds a new motivations however, when he learns of a secret that has been kept from him by his family and begins to dream of a better life than the one they're living - and of revenge.
One part of his dream seems to be fulfilled when he realizes how the facts and figures his teacher tries to drum into his head can actually be applied in real life. He becomes enthused, eventually befriending an engineer working in the area and begins to dream about a better future for his family.
The other dream, he intends to fulfil himself with the help of his friends, by causing trouble for the local police force. The trio work together, tagging buildings with rebellious messages and vandalism, soon earning a reputation for themselves as the "Wolverine* Marionette".
Note: This book contains talk about issues that will have triggers for some readers - the society they are living in is not a happy one, and alongside the general repression and abuses by the soldiers, any woman found on her own by the soldiers (even in a public place) is likely to be assaulted.
I wouldn't let the subject matter put you off of reading the book, though. The story is really interesting, and the author obviously has done research into the time period (with a few inaccurate terminologies explained at the back of the book). It's a different point of view for the time period, that readers don't see as often. I quickly grew to like the characters, especially Wilm, and I was on edge throughout hoping that they would make it through safely. It's a quick read, and an intriguing story.
I'd definitely recommend it to fans of historical fiction, and anyone interested in the period.
* A 'Wolverine', from what I understand from the story, seems to have been a German (not necessarily a Nazi) guerilla-type soldier. The police seem to believe this is who is behind the attacks on their buildings and reputation.
Graffiti Knight takes place in East Germany after the fall of World War II, when the Eastern half of the country was under the control of the Soviets. While you might think this is an upgrade from the [nutcase] system in place running it a decade before, the picture we see of our characters lives make it very clear that isn't the case.
East Germany is still a totalitarian state in all but name, and the people treated like dirt not only by the Russian officers (seeking a scapegoat for their own resentments) who are overseeing overseeing the government and police force, but those members of the police who are locals themselves.
We're show this world through the eyes of Wilm, who is just an average teenage boy who would rather be out running around with his friends or helping support his family than struggling with school. He finds a new motivations however, when he learns of a secret that has been kept from him by his family and begins to dream of a better life than the one they're living - and of revenge.
One part of his dream seems to be fulfilled when he realizes how the facts and figures his teacher tries to drum into his head can actually be applied in real life. He becomes enthused, eventually befriending an engineer working in the area and begins to dream about a better future for his family.
The other dream, he intends to fulfil himself with the help of his friends, by causing trouble for the local police force. The trio work together, tagging buildings with rebellious messages and vandalism, soon earning a reputation for themselves as the "Wolverine* Marionette".
Note: This book contains talk about issues that will have triggers for some readers - the society they are living in is not a happy one, and alongside the general repression and abuses by the soldiers, any woman found on her own by the soldiers (even in a public place) is likely to be assaulted.
I wouldn't let the subject matter put you off of reading the book, though. The story is really interesting, and the author obviously has done research into the time period (with a few inaccurate terminologies explained at the back of the book). It's a different point of view for the time period, that readers don't see as often. I quickly grew to like the characters, especially Wilm, and I was on edge throughout hoping that they would make it through safely. It's a quick read, and an intriguing story.
I'd definitely recommend it to fans of historical fiction, and anyone interested in the period.
* A 'Wolverine', from what I understand from the story, seems to have been a German (not necessarily a Nazi) guerilla-type soldier. The police seem to believe this is who is behind the attacks on their buildings and reputation.
July 22, 2013
Latest YA novel out of Pajama Press-Lots of action and finger biting moments. Takes place in Liepzig, Germany two years after WWII is over and is seen through the eyes of a 16 year old German boy, Wilm who longs for the old days and just to be a kid a little while longer but is driven to grow up over night when he hears some horrifying news about his beloved older sister. After witnessing his one-legged war veteran father assaulted by some local Schupos, German policemen working for the Russian government, he yearns to be able to do something about the fear felt by the general populace, anything. There is very little food, the city and its populace is struggling to recover from the after effects of allied bombings, his mother helps to sort through the rubble, his father drinks too much and laments his surviving the war and the Russians are completely in charge, everyone is barely surviving. Everyone knows the Germans were the losers of the war but now, they have to move on from this and begin again but for the general populace, many of whom were not sympathizers to the Nazi regime, this is nearly impossible to do. They are not allowed to forget. However, for 16 year old Wilm and his two best friends, it is time to strike back. Wilm decides to embarrass the local Schupos and uses graffiti to get his message across, labelling the Schupos "puppets" to the new Russian regime, with that he earns the name "Marionette Wolverine" and becomes a hunted man.
Based loosely on stories heard by the author so there is a grain of truth to the exploits, I found the book and it's subject matter hard to put down once the action got started.
Based loosely on stories heard by the author so there is a grain of truth to the exploits, I found the book and it's subject matter hard to put down once the action got started.
September 22, 2014
If I could give this book 6 stars, I would. This is one of those rare books that seems to pulse by the bedside, willing me to slip away an hour earlier, just to find out what happens. Undoubtedly a page-turner, it is the characters that really drive this book.
Wilhelm (he prefers Wilm!) is an angry, confused 16 year old who can't make sense of his sister's complete withdrawal since her boyfriend dumped her out of nowhere almost a year ago. What happened to make her so depressed? When he finds out, he almost wishes he hadn't. So what will he DO about it?
Plenty.
Risking a bright future as an engineer, Wilm decides that sending the corrupt police (and his sister's ex-boyfriend) a clear message, is more important than his own success. He goes undercover to embarrass the police with petty crimes and graffiti, while making a name for himself in the process: the "Marionette Wolverine". But when he becomes overconfident with his tricks and thinks he can also send a message to the oppressive Soviet authorities, he goes too far, and ends up risking the lives of his whole family.
I highly recommend this book, not only to teen readers, but any reader who enjoys being fully immersed in a different time and place. As I read, I felt quite often that it was my life at stake, too -- my heart was pitter-pattering!
Wilhelm (he prefers Wilm!) is an angry, confused 16 year old who can't make sense of his sister's complete withdrawal since her boyfriend dumped her out of nowhere almost a year ago. What happened to make her so depressed? When he finds out, he almost wishes he hadn't. So what will he DO about it?
Plenty.
Risking a bright future as an engineer, Wilm decides that sending the corrupt police (and his sister's ex-boyfriend) a clear message, is more important than his own success. He goes undercover to embarrass the police with petty crimes and graffiti, while making a name for himself in the process: the "Marionette Wolverine". But when he becomes overconfident with his tricks and thinks he can also send a message to the oppressive Soviet authorities, he goes too far, and ends up risking the lives of his whole family.
I highly recommend this book, not only to teen readers, but any reader who enjoys being fully immersed in a different time and place. As I read, I felt quite often that it was my life at stake, too -- my heart was pitter-pattering!
November 24, 2014
This book provides an intimate portrait of the harsh realities of life in the Soviet Zone of East Germany in 1947: scarce food supplies, cruel and arbitrary masters, inadequate housing and rubble-clogged streets. In the Tauber family the father is demoralized, the sister has retreated into a shell, the mother cowtows to her volatile husband and 16 year-old Wilm is angry. He persuades his two best friends to support him in harassing the police.
As his rebellion escalates, several caring adults try to counsel him but he is cocky with teenage confidence. With each act of defiance the stakes become higher until Wilm and his friends are forced to escape with the police in pursuit. Starving, exhausted and lost they flee across farmland and forests, hoping to reach the American Zone with its promise of freedom.
This book held my attention. The believable characters, the gripping action and the meticulous research make it a rewarding read. I hope my granddaughter agrees; I'm giving it to her for Christmas.
As his rebellion escalates, several caring adults try to counsel him but he is cocky with teenage confidence. With each act of defiance the stakes become higher until Wilm and his friends are forced to escape with the police in pursuit. Starving, exhausted and lost they flee across farmland and forests, hoping to reach the American Zone with its promise of freedom.
This book held my attention. The believable characters, the gripping action and the meticulous research make it a rewarding read. I hope my granddaughter agrees; I'm giving it to her for Christmas.
December 12, 2014
I loved learning more about the city of Leipzig which I’d briefly visited several years ago. It was also fascinating to learn about the unfamiliar-to-me time period there after the Second World War when the Soviet Army was in control. It was a desperately poor time when the East German people didn’t know who they could trust. Sixteen-year-old Wilm has the courage (or foolhardiness) to risk vandalism and writing shaming graffiti at night to humiliate the Schupo (German police). Karen Bass has created a captivating plot and characters with depth—like Wilm and his sister Anneliese, and the kind-hearted intelligent older friend Otto. These are characters you quickly grow to care about. Talk about raising the stakes against a protagonist! You wonder how Wilm and the others will ever reach their goal. A powerful story rooted in history with a timeless message.
December 12, 2015
This was definitely unlike anything I've already read. I was quite curious about the subject matter, as having family with experience in these kinds of political situations, the concept was captivating.
The world felt quite real to me. The characters were convincing, and their actions profound. The last half of the book I could barely put it down, and although had hopes for the characters of what would happen, the stakes felt raised enough to convince me that anything could happen.
My only difficulty with the book, was more about the use of hook than the story itself. When you read the description of the piece - this whole "Marionetten Wolverine" concept doesn't come into play until halfway through the book. I felt as though I'd been waiting for so long for this to happen, I'd rather it either come earlier, or not mentioned in the hook itself.
The world felt quite real to me. The characters were convincing, and their actions profound. The last half of the book I could barely put it down, and although had hopes for the characters of what would happen, the stakes felt raised enough to convince me that anything could happen.
My only difficulty with the book, was more about the use of hook than the story itself. When you read the description of the piece - this whole "Marionetten Wolverine" concept doesn't come into play until halfway through the book. I felt as though I'd been waiting for so long for this to happen, I'd rather it either come earlier, or not mentioned in the hook itself.
July 23, 2014
I love historical fiction but often I feel like I read a different spin on the same time and place over and over and…
Mind you, I’m not complaining, I still love it.
But a book written about post WWII soviet controlled Germany, from a German view point ? That was something entirely new.
This is a young adult novel and, as most young adult novels do, it contains a main character of an age that is full of angst, invincibility and self importance. He is crafted so well that I could imagine sitting in a room and talking to him – except I wouldn't want to. However, he is so perfect in his irritating-ness that I’m still planning on shoving this book at all my friends and family that I know enjoy a young adult novel because it was really that good.
Mind you, I’m not complaining, I still love it.
But a book written about post WWII soviet controlled Germany, from a German view point ? That was something entirely new.
This is a young adult novel and, as most young adult novels do, it contains a main character of an age that is full of angst, invincibility and self importance. He is crafted so well that I could imagine sitting in a room and talking to him – except I wouldn't want to. However, he is so perfect in his irritating-ness that I’m still planning on shoving this book at all my friends and family that I know enjoy a young adult novel because it was really that good.
December 18, 2014
The book Graffiti Knight is a thrilling adventure that leaves you breathless and you won't want to put it down once you start reading it. It is full of adventure and action as the German boy Wilm and his friends decide to secretly and cunningly protest against outrageous Schupos. The author Karen Bass does a very good job of putting detail and life into Wilm and his graffiti attacks on Soviet property.
I loved this book very much and enjoyed it because Karen Bass has creatively recreated a historical time where all the characters are motivated by their emotional forces and their grasp on the conflict. I highly recommend this book to a reader looking for an action-packed but emotionally filled story.
I loved this book very much and enjoyed it because Karen Bass has creatively recreated a historical time where all the characters are motivated by their emotional forces and their grasp on the conflict. I highly recommend this book to a reader looking for an action-packed but emotionally filled story.
April 23, 2016
I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
This is the story of Wilm, a teenager living in post WWII, Soviet occupied Germany. The book highlights the struggles faced by people living in war ravaged countries, regardless of which side they were on during the war. Food is scarce, the townspeople are mistreated, and Wilm is struggling to cope. Eventually, with the help of his friends, he decided to take action instead and stand up for himself.
I enjoyed reading this book. It is well written, and believable, for the most part. Some of it was a little far fetched, but that is easily forgiven because the characters have depth, and the plot is entertaining. If you are a fan of historical fiction and/or YA adventures, this is a great book for you.
This is the story of Wilm, a teenager living in post WWII, Soviet occupied Germany. The book highlights the struggles faced by people living in war ravaged countries, regardless of which side they were on during the war. Food is scarce, the townspeople are mistreated, and Wilm is struggling to cope. Eventually, with the help of his friends, he decided to take action instead and stand up for himself.
I enjoyed reading this book. It is well written, and believable, for the most part. Some of it was a little far fetched, but that is easily forgiven because the characters have depth, and the plot is entertaining. If you are a fan of historical fiction and/or YA adventures, this is a great book for you.
May 16, 2014
It’s not too often I hear about World War 2 era stories that are from the perspective of Germans. I wasn’t sure what to expect going into it, but I really enjoyed it. Graffiti Knight is an interesting view of life in Germany following the war. The kids deal with hunger, violent oppressive police, mistreatment of their older sisters, and depressed or alcoholic parents. Young reader’s will enjoy the protagonist with a rebellious streak and good heart. The balancing act of keeping his independence, standing up for his people, and staying out of trouble creates a suspenseful tale that exposes the grittiness of the past.
September 9, 2014
I have mixed feelings about this book. It's absolutely a time period that's not written enough about, at least in YA fiction, and it's well-written and gripping. But as an English major with a minor in history, who's studied a bit of German and has a particular interest in this time period, I know that it's only skimming the surface of what it could be, which made it a little disappointing for me. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it and would recommend it - I'm just not sure if it's as strong of a hook or as enticing a gateway to encourage YAs to study more about the period as it could be. A sequel would be good... :)
February 18, 2015
This is a verry great book!!! It tells of a young boy who lives in Germany two years after WWII. The portion of the city that Whilham lives in is controlled by the Russians. This book is a details account of a young boy named Whilham. The Russian soldiers that surround the city treat the people living in the city like dirt. As a form of protest Whim (Whilhams nick name) and some of his friend set out to on a devious mission. There plan is to slowly but surely graffiti all the government buildings in the city. Follow Whim and his friends to see if they can accomplish there protest or get caught.
August 29, 2015
I highly recommend to teachers that GRAFFITI KNIGHT by Karen Bass be used in classrooms. This well-researched and well-written compelling historical novel is set in 1947 East Germany, in an area occupied by the Soviets. Bass gives a rare look into a period and place in history not taught in U.S. schools. And the author does it through the lives of teens that teens anywhere can relate to. Believable characters in a repressive and punitive society, trying to find food, and love, and how to belong. A beautiful, memorable story.
January 4, 2014
make that 3.75; thought the start limped along--sounded almost translated---but the last half had the adrenaline pumping! i'm pretty saturated with WWII stories, but it was really interesting to hear this one of Soviet-occupied Germany just after the war. I think Bass does a great job of showing how helpless so many Germans felt, and the voices of her teen main characters sounds authentic. Liked the father-son conflict/resolution, the main character's insight into his own motives, and the sister's eventual taking back control.
November 14, 2014
Graffiti Knight is listed as juvenile fiction but I was totally absorbed by the scheming adventures and brilliance of the teenager central to the story in war ravaged Germany and the dangers he and his pals faced in Soviet territory. The bleak scenery of the bomb blasted city rose realistically chapter after chapter as I followed Wilm as his personality hardened against his oppressors. His life changed. The lives of his closest friends changed and they set out together to find that new post war life. Bass has produced a thrilling story that keeps the reader involved from beginning to end.
July 31, 2013
- Action-packed gripping teen novel written by Alberta author
- Germany after WW II
Read the ARC and passed it on to my 14 yr. old grandson who was very intrigued with the story-line of a young man's action plan to retaliate with graffiti and tire slashing for his family's suffering under the Soviet's hands. Unfortunately it doesn't stop there. He ends up putting his family and friends in danger.
- Germany after WW II
Read the ARC and passed it on to my 14 yr. old grandson who was very intrigued with the story-line of a young man's action plan to retaliate with graffiti and tire slashing for his family's suffering under the Soviet's hands. Unfortunately it doesn't stop there. He ends up putting his family and friends in danger.
November 18, 2013
Wilm, a young German youth tries to fight back against the Soviets when they invade southeast Germany.
His sister,Anneliese is raped by the Soviet soldiers. Wilm decides to get even with the help of his friend Karl and George.
Wilm meets Otto a bridge inspector who warns him about the dangerous game he is playing and warns it is better to build than destroy.
Wilm is out for revenge against Ernst who hurt his sister and all the Russians who have invaded their country,
His sister,Anneliese is raped by the Soviet soldiers. Wilm decides to get even with the help of his friend Karl and George.
Wilm meets Otto a bridge inspector who warns him about the dangerous game he is playing and warns it is better to build than destroy.
Wilm is out for revenge against Ernst who hurt his sister and all the Russians who have invaded their country,
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