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Train
Over ten days in 1943 Berlin, six teenagers witness and try to escape the Nazi round-ups. This young adult thriller is based on real events and inspired by hidden stories of Nazi genocide. Giving voice to the unheard victims of Nazism — the Roma, the disabled, intermarried Jews, homosexuals, political enemies of the regime — this thriller will change how we think about Holocaust history. Suitable for age 13 and up, TRAIN is an edge-of-your-seat page-turner that will inspire and surprise students and adults alike. "A stunning achievement... From the start, TRAIN's historically grounded depiction of Hitler's young victims creates unrelenting compassion and suspense." - Dr. Phyllis Lassner, Holocaust scholar "TRAIN not only fills a gap in Holocaust literature; it is also powerful, moving, and hard to put down." - Alexis Storch, The Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education "TRAIN will change the way we think about Holocaust history." - Ellen Rago, Social Studies Teacher "TRAIN is an essential read for Holocaust and Genocide educators, students, and anyone who believes in the profound power of brilliant storytelling, the resilience of the human spirit, and the need to shed light on and bring a voice to the often shadowed narratives of the Holocaust." - Kelley Szany, Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center "It's a fascinating book. I couldn't put it down. I read it in two afternoons." - Tony Sarabia, The Morning Shift, WBEZ 91.5 Chicago Marko screwed up. But he's good at swallowing his fear. By now, the 17-year-old 'Gypsy' should be far from Nazi Germany. By now, he should be with Alex. That's how they planned it. But while Marko has managed to escape the Gestapo, Alex has been arrested in the final round-ups of Berlin's Jews. Even worse, Marko’s little cousin Kizzy is missing. And Marko knows he’s to blame. Yet the tides of war are turning. With hundreds of Christian women gathered in the streets to protest the round-ups, the Nazis have suspended the trains to the camps. But for how long? Marko must act now. Against time, and with British warplanes bombing Berlin, Marko hatches a dangerous plan to rescue Alex and find Kizzy. There are three people who can Marko’s sister with her connections to the Resistance, Alex’s Catholic stepsister, and a mysterious Nazi girl with a deadly secret. But will Marko own up to how Kizzy disappeared? And then there’s the truth about Alex — they just wouldn’t understand.
382 pages, Paperback
First published January 13, 2015
28 people are currently reading
663 people want to read
About the author
Danny M. Cohen
3 books22 followers10 things about me...
[1] I write fiction about history and memory. My novel TRAIN and my choose-your-own-pathway short story THE 19TH WINDOW are inspired by hidden Holocaust histories.
[2] I wrote the foreword to 'Present Past' by Ava Kadishson Schieber, and I co-wrote (with Phyllis Lassner) the foreword to 'I Was A Doctor In Auschwitz' by Gisella Perl.
[3] I'm currently working on the sequel to TRAIN (it's probably a trilogy) and I've been adapting the novel into a screenplay.
[4] I'm a learning scientist and professor at Northwestern University. I write academic research articles and teach classes on Holocaust memory, hidden narratives, museums and memorials, film and fiction, and education design.
[5] I'm the founder of Unsilence, a national initiative to help communities explore hidden injustices in the past and present.
[6] I'm a learning experience designer. I create digital exhibitions, webquests, and interactive testimonies.
[7] I'm a public speaker. I facilitate youth workshops, community programs, and educator trainings. Since 2010, I've reached more than 17,000 people across 20 states (and counting!).
[8] I co-chair the Illinois Holocaust & Genocide Commission.
[9] A singer in the folk-rock band They Won't Win, I co-wrote and co-produced our debut album, LOST AT SEA, to explore grief, intimate partner violence, and LGBTQ acceptance.
[10] Originally from London, I've lived in Chicago since 2004.
[1] I write fiction about history and memory. My novel TRAIN and my choose-your-own-pathway short story THE 19TH WINDOW are inspired by hidden Holocaust histories.
[2] I wrote the foreword to 'Present Past' by Ava Kadishson Schieber, and I co-wrote (with Phyllis Lassner) the foreword to 'I Was A Doctor In Auschwitz' by Gisella Perl.
[3] I'm currently working on the sequel to TRAIN (it's probably a trilogy) and I've been adapting the novel into a screenplay.
[4] I'm a learning scientist and professor at Northwestern University. I write academic research articles and teach classes on Holocaust memory, hidden narratives, museums and memorials, film and fiction, and education design.
[5] I'm the founder of Unsilence, a national initiative to help communities explore hidden injustices in the past and present.
[6] I'm a learning experience designer. I create digital exhibitions, webquests, and interactive testimonies.
[7] I'm a public speaker. I facilitate youth workshops, community programs, and educator trainings. Since 2010, I've reached more than 17,000 people across 20 states (and counting!).
[8] I co-chair the Illinois Holocaust & Genocide Commission.
[9] A singer in the folk-rock band They Won't Win, I co-wrote and co-produced our debut album, LOST AT SEA, to explore grief, intimate partner violence, and LGBTQ acceptance.
[10] Originally from London, I've lived in Chicago since 2004.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
February 4, 2015
I don't normally write reviews but I felt compelled to do so following this debut by Danny M. Cohen. It was only by chance that I came across his book via Facebook. I am so pleased I did.
Train is a young adult historical fiction based in 1943 Berlin about a group of teenagers on a quest to escape the capture of the Nazi's. We learn of the round-ups and destruction of not only Jews, but gypsies, homosexuals and the disabled.
I wholeheartedly warmed to each character. Tsura's bravery, Ruth's adoration of her step brother, the future dreams of Marko and Alex. I was immersed throughout the journey and couldn't put it down. I look forward to reading more from this author. A book I will now pass over to my 13yo son to read.
Train is a young adult historical fiction based in 1943 Berlin about a group of teenagers on a quest to escape the capture of the Nazi's. We learn of the round-ups and destruction of not only Jews, but gypsies, homosexuals and the disabled.
I wholeheartedly warmed to each character. Tsura's bravery, Ruth's adoration of her step brother, the future dreams of Marko and Alex. I was immersed throughout the journey and couldn't put it down. I look forward to reading more from this author. A book I will now pass over to my 13yo son to read.
June 6, 2019
4.5 stars. At the beginning I was unsure of how to feel about this novel, but as I continued to read I began to sympathize with (almost) all of the characters. That sympathy along with the history behind each of their struggles made this novel much more impactful than I had expected when I first opened the book.
February 23, 2015
My dear friend Danny wrote this book, and while excited to read his work I was nervous to begin. What if I didn't like it? How do you tell a close friend, "Er, well, about that book you wrote...yeah, well...i just couldn't get into it". Well, this was NOT that book, and I'm extremely proud to call Danny a friend and have him produce such an AMAZING book. Of course, I have all the other feelings one would expect after reading a book about the Holocaust...but some new ones thrown in there as well. We all know the terrible fate of the Jews living under Hitler's control at that time, but Danny sheds light on others who suffered similar fates: from other ethnic minorities, those in the gay community, and even the disabled. The story is told through the eyes of a group of mostly teenagers - the characters were extremely compelling, the storytelling was riveting, and the fact that the events were all based on historical research really makes one stop and think when finishing the story. Amazing job, Danny!
February 25, 2017
Train is not a book I would pick for myself. I was asked to read this in a graduate Literacy program and I am so thankful that I was! Starting this book, I felt slightly disconnected. I had trouble following the characters and their stories. That quickly changed as the story progressed. I then felt a connection to each character, some more positive then others. I really enjoyed the historical perspective that Danny M. Cohen brought to this book. It has history from World War II that is not openly talked about and yet very important and relevant through the history of the war. It made me want to learn more about the hidden stories from different groups of people during this time.
I had the privilege of skyping with Danny M. Cohen during my class. Hearing his perspective on writing this book and the process he went through made me love it even more. He talked about why he was so interested in this story and because he had such a personal desire to write about this and did extensive factual research, it made the book feel real. The characters he created became real people as I was reading and it was crushing to know that these characters stories are based off of real events. While we were skyping, Danny said "It's possible to be victimized and prejudice at the same time." This quote will forever resonate with me and is a perfect depiction of the perspective he brought to his book.
I had the privilege of skyping with Danny M. Cohen during my class. Hearing his perspective on writing this book and the process he went through made me love it even more. He talked about why he was so interested in this story and because he had such a personal desire to write about this and did extensive factual research, it made the book feel real. The characters he created became real people as I was reading and it was crushing to know that these characters stories are based off of real events. While we were skyping, Danny said "It's possible to be victimized and prejudice at the same time." This quote will forever resonate with me and is a perfect depiction of the perspective he brought to his book.
August 27, 2020
I listened to a talk given by the Author, Danny Cohen and was intrigued to read the book. I’ve read a lot of world war 2 books and thought that I knew the history pretty well. Through this historic fiction book I was exposed to tragedies that I had never heard of.
In 1936 Germany was hosting the Olympics and rounded up all the Roma / Gypsies and Sinti people, “ cleaning the city”. They put them in an internment camp Marzahn, on the outskirts-of Berlin where they were inprisoned in horrific conditions. The women & girls were sterilized so that their race would end. As the war progressed these people were eventually sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau and most killed.
The book also address the atrocities against the mentally ill & physically disabled , killed in the hospitals while their death certificates stated other causes. The homosexuals were persecuted , murdered and the ones who did survive were put back into the German prison system until 1968! Imagine surviving the holocaust only to be put back into prison !
The book centers around a protest in Berlin by Christian spouses whose Jewish partners & children were arrested and then held at Rosenstrasse. After a seven day protest most were released!
This book brings to question , what if the German people would have protested when the Jews were first rounded up, could they have stopped Hitler? Why do we as a society only seem to get involved when something only effects us ? Why aren’t we outraged at the persecution of other, races, religions , sexual preferences etc. ? In the current climate of things it is definitely something to think on.
In 1936 Germany was hosting the Olympics and rounded up all the Roma / Gypsies and Sinti people, “ cleaning the city”. They put them in an internment camp Marzahn, on the outskirts-of Berlin where they were inprisoned in horrific conditions. The women & girls were sterilized so that their race would end. As the war progressed these people were eventually sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau and most killed.
The book also address the atrocities against the mentally ill & physically disabled , killed in the hospitals while their death certificates stated other causes. The homosexuals were persecuted , murdered and the ones who did survive were put back into the German prison system until 1968! Imagine surviving the holocaust only to be put back into prison !
The book centers around a protest in Berlin by Christian spouses whose Jewish partners & children were arrested and then held at Rosenstrasse. After a seven day protest most were released!
This book brings to question , what if the German people would have protested when the Jews were first rounded up, could they have stopped Hitler? Why do we as a society only seem to get involved when something only effects us ? Why aren’t we outraged at the persecution of other, races, religions , sexual preferences etc. ? In the current climate of things it is definitely something to think on.
April 20, 2016
Definitely an amazing book! The author came and talked to my school and he is so inspirational and this book was amazing!
December 25, 2017
Hard to keep characters straight at first. It seemed as if the time dragged at points in the book.
October 30, 2018
Personal Response:
Train was a very interesting story about other populations in Germany that were round up as well as Jews. This piece of literature brings light onto other populations, giving them a voice and the ability to be recognized.
Plot Summary:
The book takes place in 1943 Berlin, Germany. Over the span of ten days, we see the stories of the disabled, Roma, intermarried Jews, Homosexuals, and political enemies of the Nazis. The first character we meet is Marko. Marko is a Roma, who plans on escaping Germany with Alex. Their plans go south when Alex is arrested in the Jewish round-ups. Meanwhile, Marko lies about helping his cousin, Kizzy, which results in her arrest.
All of the Jews are forced in a building on the square, where many Christian wives & mothers protest. With the protests continuing, the trains that cart the Gypsy and Jewish are stopped; and Marko begins to plan a way to break Alex & Kizzy out. With the help of Alex's Catholic stepsister(Elise), Marko's artfully connected sister, & Elise's friend Ruth, the group forms.
Characterization(Elise):
In the beginning of the book, Elise is described as a small, quiet 12-year-old, who cares deeply for her family & step-family. Elise begins to grow as a character & as she grows you can see her persistence, determination, & vulnerabilities. For example, Alex gives her a mini quest to find her birthday present. Despite the fact that her brother was arrested, Elise still searches for her present, and it almost seems like (in her mindset) , if she finds the present, her brother will be released. Elise also shows her new determination when she searches for her present. At the end of the book, Elise is described as a strong girl who shows many strengths.
Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading books involving the Holocaust. This historical thriller will capture your emotions & give voices to groups that are usually not spoken of. It creates a new look on history.
Train was a very interesting story about other populations in Germany that were round up as well as Jews. This piece of literature brings light onto other populations, giving them a voice and the ability to be recognized.
Plot Summary:
The book takes place in 1943 Berlin, Germany. Over the span of ten days, we see the stories of the disabled, Roma, intermarried Jews, Homosexuals, and political enemies of the Nazis. The first character we meet is Marko. Marko is a Roma, who plans on escaping Germany with Alex. Their plans go south when Alex is arrested in the Jewish round-ups. Meanwhile, Marko lies about helping his cousin, Kizzy, which results in her arrest.
All of the Jews are forced in a building on the square, where many Christian wives & mothers protest. With the protests continuing, the trains that cart the Gypsy and Jewish are stopped; and Marko begins to plan a way to break Alex & Kizzy out. With the help of Alex's Catholic stepsister(Elise), Marko's artfully connected sister, & Elise's friend Ruth, the group forms.
Characterization(Elise):
In the beginning of the book, Elise is described as a small, quiet 12-year-old, who cares deeply for her family & step-family. Elise begins to grow as a character & as she grows you can see her persistence, determination, & vulnerabilities. For example, Alex gives her a mini quest to find her birthday present. Despite the fact that her brother was arrested, Elise still searches for her present, and it almost seems like (in her mindset) , if she finds the present, her brother will be released. Elise also shows her new determination when she searches for her present. At the end of the book, Elise is described as a strong girl who shows many strengths.
Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading books involving the Holocaust. This historical thriller will capture your emotions & give voices to groups that are usually not spoken of. It creates a new look on history.
October 1, 2018
Personal Response
I love this book. It gives a voice to all of the others who were affected by the holocaust. To me, it's the best part of this book because it doesn't just focus on the Jewish community. It focuses on the Roma (gypsies), the disabled, homosexuals, intermarried jews, and political enemies of the regime. I think that "Train" is very informative.
Plot
Six teens of all different religions try and protest the round-ups of Jews, Roma, gays, disabled people, and the intermarried families. Ruti and Elise are on their own mission to save Alexander, Ruti's brother. Marko and Tsura are looking for Kizzy because she didn't come back from the hospital. Meanwhile Kizzy and Alexander got sent to the camps.
Characterization
The biggest character growth comes from Marko. He admitted to himself that he was gay and that he was in love with Alexander. He was very brave to get with Alexander given the fact the homosexuality was highly frowned upon in the 40's.
Recommendations
On the back of this book it says 13 and over for graphic violence and language. Boys or girls could both read this book. It's especially good for history lovers.
I love this book. It gives a voice to all of the others who were affected by the holocaust. To me, it's the best part of this book because it doesn't just focus on the Jewish community. It focuses on the Roma (gypsies), the disabled, homosexuals, intermarried jews, and political enemies of the regime. I think that "Train" is very informative.
Plot
Six teens of all different religions try and protest the round-ups of Jews, Roma, gays, disabled people, and the intermarried families. Ruti and Elise are on their own mission to save Alexander, Ruti's brother. Marko and Tsura are looking for Kizzy because she didn't come back from the hospital. Meanwhile Kizzy and Alexander got sent to the camps.
Characterization
The biggest character growth comes from Marko. He admitted to himself that he was gay and that he was in love with Alexander. He was very brave to get with Alexander given the fact the homosexuality was highly frowned upon in the 40's.
Recommendations
On the back of this book it says 13 and over for graphic violence and language. Boys or girls could both read this book. It's especially good for history lovers.
February 14, 2017
Train. by Danny Cohen is completely riveting and hard to put down. Although at first slightly confusing to follow the connections between the six main characters but as the story progresses you can't help but love and hurt for each of the characters and their stories. By the end of the story, there is no way to stop from being sad for the way the story progressed. Although sad, the story was impossible to stop reading. This kind of story is great to demonstrate the horrors that occurred to all kinds of people (Roma, Sinti, Homosexuals) during the war while keeping the characters relatable. It took me just a little bit of time to get into the story, because of trying to keep the characters straight, but then I couldn't put it down. I read through the second half of the story as quickly as I possibly could and even carried the book around Walmart while my family and I shopped for our groceries so that I could finish the last 15 pages. I absolutely would recommend this book to any young adult, teachers of 8th grade history, and any adult interested in learning more on the subject.
October 26, 2020
This book covers several groups of people targeted by the Nazis--Jews, Christians with Jewish spouses, Romani, the resistance and homosexuals. It also tells the story of a Nazi youth. It is the intersection of members of each of these groups that lead to a complex network of people trying to live in Berlin. At times the book seemed like it tried to take on too much by including such diverse people in a short amount of time, but it makes clear the atrocities they all suffered. I'm still thinking about how the one "perfect" girl (Aryan, Nazi youth) was the one with the most mental/emotional issues. Her thoughts and actions towards several of the characters careened quickly into something sinister, far from the "best friend" she was professed to be at the beginning of the book. Do not read this book looking for a "happy ending" on the part of almost every character. This is the stuff of war.
April 17, 2018
Outstanding book, covering so many Holocaust topics that I wish I'd read it before my students wrote their White Rose essays on "Other Victims" of the Holocaust. Cohen writes about six teenagers living in Berlin under the Nazis in 1943. Each has a story and a secret. One boy is homosexual, two are Roma/Sinti, two are Jewish because they have a Jewish parent, and one lost her younger brother as a result of Operation T-4 because he was mentally ill. These are the forgotten victims of Adolf Hitler but Cohen brings each into the light and you grow to love them and hurt for them. So unfair, so tragic, such a loss to humanity. I had to borrow this book from Colorado because I couldn't find it in Kansas City. Our wonderful libraries here will inter-library loan from anywhere and this book is worth the wait.
September 15, 2024
so so so sad,
Aren’t we all human
A little confusing at first with everyone’s point of view, but quickly quickly catch on.
My heart breaks for all of them, I kept expecting a happy ending but that’s not how it goes. Kizzy and Alex’s endings were so sad but I’m glad kizzy was able to find her aunt. Ofc no one deserved their endings but Alex didn’t deserve to be left behind, deported and arrested.
Elise was really interesting to me. Her pov and ofc what viktor experienced was heartbreaking but her bitterness was surprising. Tsura acknowledged that she only cared for the Romani and the intermarried German women only cared for their husbands. But Elise was just bitter bitter bitter. And the way everyone else described her was really interesting. Coarse dead hair.
Aren’t we all human
A little confusing at first with everyone’s point of view, but quickly quickly catch on.
My heart breaks for all of them, I kept expecting a happy ending but that’s not how it goes. Kizzy and Alex’s endings were so sad but I’m glad kizzy was able to find her aunt. Ofc no one deserved their endings but Alex didn’t deserve to be left behind, deported and arrested.
Elise was really interesting to me. Her pov and ofc what viktor experienced was heartbreaking but her bitterness was surprising. Tsura acknowledged that she only cared for the Romani and the intermarried German women only cared for their husbands. But Elise was just bitter bitter bitter. And the way everyone else described her was really interesting. Coarse dead hair.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2016
“Train“, a 381-page novel inspired by hidden history written by Danny M. Cohen, revolves around World War II. It is a time when Adolf Hitler is rounding up Jewish people and other non-German people and putting them in Camps or worse.
Tsura and Marko—Romani siblings—plotted their escape from the city in which they were raised in order to flee the tyranny of the Nazi regime. Things on that avenue do not go as planned because their teacher, mentor, and attendant Professor Duerr fell ill. Not only that Kizzy, their cousin who has been with the ailing professor, slows down the siblings’ escape, but she follows Tsura to a secret location to inform her favorite cousin about the professor. Marko isn’t too keen about their young teenage cousin following them-for his selfishness and cold-heartedness are prevalent towards Kizzy. He does care about his cousin, as well as Professor Duerr, and devises a plan to get her medical attention and safeguard Kizzy.
Alexander, a young Jewish man who deeply loves his family, makes the tough decision to leave the city as well. He purchases a gift for his sister Ruth’s birthday—a porcelain train set—as well as getting his picture taken so that he may have falsified documents made to escape the oppressed city. After writing a goodbye letter for his family, he hides the gift for his sister, then leaves his home.
This story takes place during a time of rough history: the beginning phases of The Holocaust. The education I received about this time frame is limited, yet it doesn’t take too much education to know that this was NOT a fun time. Nazi authorities performing document checks, rounding up those of non-German heritage and/or blood, citizens risking their freedom and more to find a better life outside of their current location and situation are a few of the key points examined in this book.
Several pieces of interest are written within these pages, and this is one of the several pieces that stood out, asid from (a) forbidden love (b) the possible regret being felt in regards to the tough decisions being made, and (c) tough choices as a whole:
“A decade earlier, the new laws introduced by the Nazi Party had forced Alex’s father to give up working as a civil servant, all because he was a Jew. Alex had been seven years old. When Father was assigned a job assembling electrical equipment for the German military, the irony became his running joke. Adolf Hitler hates the Jews, but he can’t run the country without us.“
This paragraph stood out because of the irony written here. When you think about it—in other historical events—the Pharaoh couldn’t build the pyramids without the Jewish slaves. The United Started wouldn’t be what it is today without African Slaves. They (the Jews and African slaves) were and still are hated, yet the multiple infrastructures created by their hands and carried on their backs WOULD NOT be present today if their enslavement did not occur at those times. They were lower than low in the eyes of those pulling the reigns, but they were EXTREMELY valuable to those oppressors.
Yes: I KNOW what I said and what I wrote. It doesn’t make it any less true.
There is a lot to absorb and visualize while studying this story. It gives an eyeful—as well as much to think about—for those who are reading it. Things like, (a) the melancholy atmosphere (b) the Jews hiding from Nazi raiders inside of their homes, and (c) the strong descriptive narrative used to describe the surroundings.
I recall a time several years ago…
I was boarding a bus to go into Center City Philadelphia. An older lady boarded the bus first. You can certainly chalk it up to great teachings from my parents as immediately I practiced the “Ladies First Rule”. As she grabbed the supporting bar to climb in the bus, I saw a mark on her wrist. It was no ordinary mark:
It was a numerical code: a Holocaust tattoo.
It stunned me because, despite being told about this tattoo, that was the first and possibly ONLY time I saw one up close: she was a Holocaust survivor. It was a surreal experience.
From what I saw in this book, there were not many flaws. The sentence structure is solid.
“Train” tells the story of youngsters looking for liberation and peace as they understood the tough decision to leave loved ones behind. Yes, it is selfish, yet to have the chance, THE OPPORTUNITY, to find a better life is well worth the effort.
From Tsura’s no-nonsense attitude, Marko’s pestering and compassion for his cousin Kizzy, to Alexander’s heavy heart in leaving on the day of his sister Ruth’s birthday, the development of these characters is something to admire. Their ability to see the bigger picture reminds me of my mindset when it comes to making critical decisions that may mean me turning my back on others in the name of obtaining things that are necessary for my growth. Sure, there are times that the unpopular decision is the BEST decision. At the same time, everyone will not share the same sentiment as you, and that will cause them to harbor resentment toward you.
Honestly: Is it really about them, or is it about you, EVEN THOUGH your actions and choices may be deemed selfish?
“Train” is more than just a story about escaping Nazi oppression. It is about two simple questions:
How much is your freedom and peace of mind worth? What are you willing to sacrifice in order to seek a better way of life?
The characters of this story show us their answers as they are faced with multiple adversities. I say pick up this book, and read for yourself. Maybe, JUST MAYBE, you’ll find your answer as well.
Tsura and Marko—Romani siblings—plotted their escape from the city in which they were raised in order to flee the tyranny of the Nazi regime. Things on that avenue do not go as planned because their teacher, mentor, and attendant Professor Duerr fell ill. Not only that Kizzy, their cousin who has been with the ailing professor, slows down the siblings’ escape, but she follows Tsura to a secret location to inform her favorite cousin about the professor. Marko isn’t too keen about their young teenage cousin following them-for his selfishness and cold-heartedness are prevalent towards Kizzy. He does care about his cousin, as well as Professor Duerr, and devises a plan to get her medical attention and safeguard Kizzy.
Alexander, a young Jewish man who deeply loves his family, makes the tough decision to leave the city as well. He purchases a gift for his sister Ruth’s birthday—a porcelain train set—as well as getting his picture taken so that he may have falsified documents made to escape the oppressed city. After writing a goodbye letter for his family, he hides the gift for his sister, then leaves his home.
This story takes place during a time of rough history: the beginning phases of The Holocaust. The education I received about this time frame is limited, yet it doesn’t take too much education to know that this was NOT a fun time. Nazi authorities performing document checks, rounding up those of non-German heritage and/or blood, citizens risking their freedom and more to find a better life outside of their current location and situation are a few of the key points examined in this book.
Several pieces of interest are written within these pages, and this is one of the several pieces that stood out, asid from (a) forbidden love (b) the possible regret being felt in regards to the tough decisions being made, and (c) tough choices as a whole:
“A decade earlier, the new laws introduced by the Nazi Party had forced Alex’s father to give up working as a civil servant, all because he was a Jew. Alex had been seven years old. When Father was assigned a job assembling electrical equipment for the German military, the irony became his running joke. Adolf Hitler hates the Jews, but he can’t run the country without us.“
This paragraph stood out because of the irony written here. When you think about it—in other historical events—the Pharaoh couldn’t build the pyramids without the Jewish slaves. The United Started wouldn’t be what it is today without African Slaves. They (the Jews and African slaves) were and still are hated, yet the multiple infrastructures created by their hands and carried on their backs WOULD NOT be present today if their enslavement did not occur at those times. They were lower than low in the eyes of those pulling the reigns, but they were EXTREMELY valuable to those oppressors.
Yes: I KNOW what I said and what I wrote. It doesn’t make it any less true.
There is a lot to absorb and visualize while studying this story. It gives an eyeful—as well as much to think about—for those who are reading it. Things like, (a) the melancholy atmosphere (b) the Jews hiding from Nazi raiders inside of their homes, and (c) the strong descriptive narrative used to describe the surroundings.
I recall a time several years ago…
I was boarding a bus to go into Center City Philadelphia. An older lady boarded the bus first. You can certainly chalk it up to great teachings from my parents as immediately I practiced the “Ladies First Rule”. As she grabbed the supporting bar to climb in the bus, I saw a mark on her wrist. It was no ordinary mark:
It was a numerical code: a Holocaust tattoo.
It stunned me because, despite being told about this tattoo, that was the first and possibly ONLY time I saw one up close: she was a Holocaust survivor. It was a surreal experience.
From what I saw in this book, there were not many flaws. The sentence structure is solid.
“Train” tells the story of youngsters looking for liberation and peace as they understood the tough decision to leave loved ones behind. Yes, it is selfish, yet to have the chance, THE OPPORTUNITY, to find a better life is well worth the effort.
From Tsura’s no-nonsense attitude, Marko’s pestering and compassion for his cousin Kizzy, to Alexander’s heavy heart in leaving on the day of his sister Ruth’s birthday, the development of these characters is something to admire. Their ability to see the bigger picture reminds me of my mindset when it comes to making critical decisions that may mean me turning my back on others in the name of obtaining things that are necessary for my growth. Sure, there are times that the unpopular decision is the BEST decision. At the same time, everyone will not share the same sentiment as you, and that will cause them to harbor resentment toward you.
Honestly: Is it really about them, or is it about you, EVEN THOUGH your actions and choices may be deemed selfish?
“Train” is more than just a story about escaping Nazi oppression. It is about two simple questions:
How much is your freedom and peace of mind worth? What are you willing to sacrifice in order to seek a better way of life?
The characters of this story show us their answers as they are faced with multiple adversities. I say pick up this book, and read for yourself. Maybe, JUST MAYBE, you’ll find your answer as well.
October 24, 2023
this book absolutely destroyed me in the best way possible. i read it for school a few months ago, and it was one of the school-assigned books i could actually find myself getting into. this book is really educational all the while keeping your interest. it does a magnificent job at showing you the people who were also affected by the holocaust roundups.
at first, reading through each character’s perspective can be a bit confusing. however, once you read more, the way the book is split into each character’s perspective for each chapter really captivated me and made me read even faster because i was so excited for what was next. the characters are written so well and they’re all so relatable. they all navigate through difficult choices in such realistic ways. every single one of the character’s stories hit me hard in the heart especially in the end. if i ever get my hands on this book again, ill definitely reread!! :)
at first, reading through each character’s perspective can be a bit confusing. however, once you read more, the way the book is split into each character’s perspective for each chapter really captivated me and made me read even faster because i was so excited for what was next. the characters are written so well and they’re all so relatable. they all navigate through difficult choices in such realistic ways. every single one of the character’s stories hit me hard in the heart especially in the end. if i ever get my hands on this book again, ill definitely reread!! :)
June 24, 2025
This book was pretty good! I didn’t love the ending, but I understand why it was done that way. I thought that pacing was well done, and the multiple perspectives kept things moving quickly. There were a few times, though, that I was taken out of the novel because of the sentence structure. The writing was a bit odd, using really short sentences instead of combining them when it would flow better. It genuinely made me have to stop and reread those sentences multiple times to understand.
There is plenty to learn from this book. The author used real events + real experiences to help share this story. That really allows this book to feel real.
Also I despised Elise. Cheers
There is plenty to learn from this book. The author used real events + real experiences to help share this story. That really allows this book to feel real.
Also I despised Elise. Cheers
September 8, 2022
When I first started reading I got confused by the characters, but once you get through the first perspective of each character it becomes a really beautiful story about resistance in the Holocaust. I loved how Cohen talked about the perspectives of gypsies, homosexuals, and Christian wives of Jewish men. These groups are much less studied and I did not know anything about the protest. I love how each character makes decisions that I grappled with, making me realize how different each person's perspective was in the Holocaust.
June 25, 2022
The title of the book is well chosen - not just referring to the trains out of the city (both for potential escape and potential doom), or Alex’s gift/puzzle for Ruth, but to the structure of the story, the repeating cycle of PoVs that kept the action constantly moving forward, as well as the connections between the 6 protagonists. The story is based on a number of true events and is written in a cohesive and moving way.
May 18, 2024
Speechless
I heard Danny speak a couple of weeks ago. And I can hear him in this book. His mission is to tell the stories of those whose voices have been lost to history. And this book does that beautifully. We are familiar with the atrocities enacted on Jewish families during the Holocaust. But we forget that other marginalized groups were targeted, too. This is their story. Those living, loving, and dying on the margins.
I heard Danny speak a couple of weeks ago. And I can hear him in this book. His mission is to tell the stories of those whose voices have been lost to history. And this book does that beautifully. We are familiar with the atrocities enacted on Jewish families during the Holocaust. But we forget that other marginalized groups were targeted, too. This is their story. Those living, loving, and dying on the margins.
October 1, 2019
Stunning piece of a rare history told. Meticulously researched to tell the story of 'other' victims of the Holocaust including the Roma & Sinti people, homosexuals along with the T4 program. The remarkable story of the Rosenstrasse resistance is also told. The human cost of hate and intolerance is infused throughout this book that you will not be able to put down.
March 28, 2025
A lot of heavy topics (violence, emotional abuse, discrimination, infanticide, self-harm…) Not sure I would classify this as young adult. Appropriate for upper high school with an adult supporting the conversation/processing. As much as this is such important content, I didn’t love the writing.
October 24, 2025
love this so much the writing is amazing. and I feel like it tells a very unique story you don't often find in these topics. it got me from the start. I also appreciate how the ending was left. although I'd love for there to be a sequel.
February 18, 2022
Read this for English class. This was one of the best books I’ve read for a class.
September 5, 2022
This is a YA novel inspired by real events in 1943 Berlin. 6 young characters lives in the midst of war : betrayals, love, resistance, courage, ... it held my interest throughout.
November 22, 2024
It was a really good book and I was so very intrigued about all the different perspectives in the war, and how all the stories intertwined, when it thought they wouldn’t.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2025
This is a great book that tells stories from the Holocaust that aren't often heard
January 25, 2020
I really liked the characters in this book and I appreciated Cohen bringing attention to many lesser known groups that were targeted by Hitler and the Nazis. This is listed as a YA book but it is definitely for more mature YA readers. Not necessarily because of the subject matter but more because it is a slow build and there are many characters to keep track of. It's worth doing but I found myself dissatisfied by the ending. The epilogue doesn't really serve to answer all that much, which may be a disappointment to younger readers.
July 6, 2023
i am so glad i found this book.
i've had a recent interest in major historical events, starting with the american revolutionary war and slowly leading up to world wars 1 and 2.
i was going on a semi-fulfilling research day because i was going to the bookstore the next day. i found this book (sadly, it was print-on-demand). i finished it in about 3 days (with a night of 8 hour non-stop reading). those three days were very, very emotional.
throughout the book, i got incredibly emotionally attached to the characters. the writing style made the book easy to read, which i enjoyed very much.
one of my favorite facets of the book was that it went beyond the well-known stories of victims of world war 2 and talked about multiple marginalized groups.
i would like to also point out that the inclusion of real events that happened in history made it feel more genuine than a few other books i've read.
all in all, this book was a very nice read. also, after the end of the book (which i finished at 12:19 AM) i cried for roughly ten minutes.
i've had a recent interest in major historical events, starting with the american revolutionary war and slowly leading up to world wars 1 and 2.
i was going on a semi-fulfilling research day because i was going to the bookstore the next day. i found this book (sadly, it was print-on-demand). i finished it in about 3 days (with a night of 8 hour non-stop reading). those three days were very, very emotional.
throughout the book, i got incredibly emotionally attached to the characters. the writing style made the book easy to read, which i enjoyed very much.
one of my favorite facets of the book was that it went beyond the well-known stories of victims of world war 2 and talked about multiple marginalized groups.
i would like to also point out that the inclusion of real events that happened in history made it feel more genuine than a few other books i've read.
all in all, this book was a very nice read. also, after the end of the book (which i finished at 12:19 AM) i cried for roughly ten minutes.
February 5, 2015
I’ll start by saying that Train is, quite simply, one of the very best novels that I’ve had the pleasure to read. In the realms of Holocaust fiction it is right up there alongside The Book Thief and far superior (both in terms of storytelling and authenticity) to The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas. Train gripped me from start to finish. Told through the narrative of the book’s six main characters, Train takes place over ten days in 1943 Berlin and tells a story that allows the reader to hear from and think about not only Jewish victims of the Holocaust but Roma, homosexuals, political dissidents and the disabled. Cohen set himself a heck of an educative task, but has achieved it with great fluency and without his objective making the storytelling feel false at any point.
Authenticity is a key to Train. The plot has pace and tantalising twists and turns, but at no point does Cohen sacrifice the authentic voice for a pleasing bloody nose for the bad guys. At no point did the story feel contrived.
Train is written with such maturity, and is so tightly drawn together (absolutely no action throughout the whole book seems to be there by accident or is included simply to fill a space – everything, even the most insignificant-seeming element, has its purpose) that it is hard to believe that this is Cohen’s debut. The characters are so strong and Cohen is able so brilliantly to allow the reader to identify with each character’s every emotion.
I loved this book. It’s intended as a text to educate teenagers about the Holocaust and about the less spoken of victims, but its appeal goes way beyond the teenage reader. I look forward to the inevitable movie in a couple of years time!
Authenticity is a key to Train. The plot has pace and tantalising twists and turns, but at no point does Cohen sacrifice the authentic voice for a pleasing bloody nose for the bad guys. At no point did the story feel contrived.
Train is written with such maturity, and is so tightly drawn together (absolutely no action throughout the whole book seems to be there by accident or is included simply to fill a space – everything, even the most insignificant-seeming element, has its purpose) that it is hard to believe that this is Cohen’s debut. The characters are so strong and Cohen is able so brilliantly to allow the reader to identify with each character’s every emotion.
I loved this book. It’s intended as a text to educate teenagers about the Holocaust and about the less spoken of victims, but its appeal goes way beyond the teenage reader. I look forward to the inevitable movie in a couple of years time!
February 18, 2015
BRILLIANTLY WRITTEN & SO HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. From the first pages, I found myself mesmerized and engrossed in this remarkable book. By the end of reading Train I felt like I knew every character of this book personally and I found myself in tears, crying for them. I can say without a doubt this is one of the best books I have read. Danny M. Cohen is such a wonderful writer. He made sure every part of this astonishing history was researched in detail (so much of the story is based on real events) and he even included a brilliant treasure hunt as part of the story. As I was reading the book, I could not wait to see what would happened at the end, but I didn't want it to end either. A good friend of mine is reading Train right now, too, and she can't stop talking about it. What's amazing is that my friend's favorite characters is Tsura, but my favorite characters were Alex and Marko. Everyone will find a different character to love. It's that kind of book. From start to finish, I could not put this book down. Not only is Train suitable for teenagers, but it's definitely suitable for adults as well. I also feel this book should be made into a movie. It will capture everyone's interest and tackles such an important part of history that's usually never discussed. I cannot wait for the next book Danny M. Cohen writes. I will most definitely be one of the first to read it.
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