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War Games
Based on a true story of World War II.
For 12-year-old Petros, World War II feels unreal and far away. What’s real is working in his papa’s garden. Playing marbles with his friends. Fighting with his older brother, Zola. Zola, who must always be first. Who must always be best. But when the Germans invade Greece, the war suddenly comes impossibly close. Overnight, neighbors become enemies. People begin to keep secrets (Petros’s family most of all). And for the first time, Petros has the chance to show Zola that he’s not just a little brother but that he can truly be counted on. Soon what were once just boys’ games become matters of life and death as Petros and Zola each wonder if, like their resistance fighter cousin, they too can make a difference.
For 12-year-old Petros, World War II feels unreal and far away. What’s real is working in his papa’s garden. Playing marbles with his friends. Fighting with his older brother, Zola. Zola, who must always be first. Who must always be best. But when the Germans invade Greece, the war suddenly comes impossibly close. Overnight, neighbors become enemies. People begin to keep secrets (Petros’s family most of all). And for the first time, Petros has the chance to show Zola that he’s not just a little brother but that he can truly be counted on. Soon what were once just boys’ games become matters of life and death as Petros and Zola each wonder if, like their resistance fighter cousin, they too can make a difference.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
12 people are currently reading
243 people want to read
About the author
Audrey Couloumbis
22 books74 followersAudrey is a recently transplanted (yet again) New Yorker (by choice), now in Bunker Hill, West Virginia (also by choice), where Civil War ghosts scare the dogs at night, where a CSX train track runs behind the house and the romantic sound of a faraway train can be heard three or four times a day, where she is starting a new garden of rambling roses and assorted deer-resistant flowering shrubs and renovating an old house.
Leisure time, what little there is of it, is spent watching how-to acrylic painting videos on youtube and occasionally getting out the paints to play.
New books are on the way: If Wishes Were Princes, Life and Death at the Warwick Arms, and Anthony Was Here. Stay tuned.
Leisure time, what little there is of it, is spent watching how-to acrylic painting videos on youtube and occasionally getting out the paints to play.
New books are on the way: If Wishes Were Princes, Life and Death at the Warwick Arms, and Anthony Was Here. Stay tuned.
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November 23, 2014The summary of this novel is that Petros, a Greek-American boy, is caught in the midst of World War II. his cousin Lambros, a well-known Greek soldier, has came home during a German occupation. Lambros has done many things to the Germans to make them not like him so once he came home he put Petros' family in danger. Petros is trying to keep his family safe and so is his Papa. Then when a high-ranking German officer move in with them, the danger for Petros and his family double. Petros is a hard-working little brother and is always trying to help out on the farm. Zola is Petros's older brother and thinks he is better than every body else and thinks he works harder than Petros. Mama is the runner-up commander of the family. She is the one who cooks, cleans, and etc. Sophie is Petros's sister. she is on the bridge between tom-boy and girlie-girl. She loves to cook with her mother but isn't afraid of work. Papa is the leader of the household and family. He works harder than anybody and makes the choices for them. Lambros is a brave risk-taker. He has messed, deceived, and killed his way through the German army occupy his town. The setting in this book is Amphissa, Greece. The conflict is keeping Petros's family safe during the stay of Lambros. The resolution to it was the family sent Lambros to their Uncle Spiro's house to be transported to a mountain village. My opinion of the book is I really liked it because of the history involved with it. It really was descriptive during the tense moments and I always like those type of books. My recommendation for this book is if you like action and history, plus suspense, then I definitely recommend this book for you.
June 30, 2010
Loved this book.
It's a story about how resistance comes in many forms. This is the story of a greek family in a small town that stands between the German army and the Suez Canal. Two brothers enlist their friends to help resist the occupation in small ways. Eventually, they are placed in a situation where they are forced to grow up a bit more and their bravery is tested. They grow in independence and as a family. Based on true events, this tells a not-often-heard side of WWII.
Full of great character development in a setting that is unfamiliar but easy to relate to for my urban students. Not only teaches the realities of war but the human experience of it since it involves a family from a small town instead of people involved in the real fighting. Also, ample opportunities to discuss symbolism (pepper plant and kite).
My only real criticism is that it doesn’t involve the Jewish experience which was central to WWII.
Some questions for students or other readers to consider:
1. What role did Greece play in the outcome of WWII?
2. What are the rules for marbles and would it be fun to teach my kids?
3. The Nazis were (and still are) very appealing to young men, why is that?
4. What was the Nazi saying in Ch. 33? What was he upset about?
5. Why do stories create admiration or sympathy for Nazis?
6. Why did the officer really turn away when he shot that boy?
Reminds me a bit of Number the Stars.
It's a story about how resistance comes in many forms. This is the story of a greek family in a small town that stands between the German army and the Suez Canal. Two brothers enlist their friends to help resist the occupation in small ways. Eventually, they are placed in a situation where they are forced to grow up a bit more and their bravery is tested. They grow in independence and as a family. Based on true events, this tells a not-often-heard side of WWII.
Full of great character development in a setting that is unfamiliar but easy to relate to for my urban students. Not only teaches the realities of war but the human experience of it since it involves a family from a small town instead of people involved in the real fighting. Also, ample opportunities to discuss symbolism (pepper plant and kite).
My only real criticism is that it doesn’t involve the Jewish experience which was central to WWII.
Some questions for students or other readers to consider:
1. What role did Greece play in the outcome of WWII?
2. What are the rules for marbles and would it be fun to teach my kids?
3. The Nazis were (and still are) very appealing to young men, why is that?
4. What was the Nazi saying in Ch. 33? What was he upset about?
5. Why do stories create admiration or sympathy for Nazis?
6. Why did the officer really turn away when he shot that boy?
Reminds me a bit of Number the Stars.
August 6, 2014
American born twelve-year-old Petros and his older brother, Zola, have lived in their Greek community for most of their childhoods because their family came back to Greece during the Great Depression. Life is pretty much the same on their farm even though there's a war going on and Italian soldiers are in their midst. Now the Germans have arrived and everything is different. The boys have a cousin, Lambros, who is a resistance fighter. Petros and Zola do their own part to raise the morale of the townspeople right under the nose of the German commander who now lives in with the family in their home.
It's interesting to get a young boy's viewpoint of the World War II in Greece and that boy is based on the author's life.
It's interesting to get a young boy's viewpoint of the World War II in Greece and that boy is based on the author's life.
June 10, 2010
An OK book that takes place during WWII. I think it suffers because of so many excellent books in the same subject. There just wasn't enough to get me 'in' to the story and the characters. It was fairly superficial, almost felt like an abridged version. Interesting story, just wish it was more fleshed out.
November 1, 2019
War Games is a historical fiction novel written by Audrey and Akila Couloumbis. The book was published by Random House Inc. It was published on October 27th, 2009 in the United States. I read the first edition. There are two hundred thirty-one pages in War Games. The novel is based on a true story about Akila Couloumbis’s childhood during World War II.
The story is about the life of Petros and his family in rural Greece during 1941. Petros and his siblings were all born in New York, but in order to escape the Great Depression, his family decided to return to Greece to be near family. The main characters are Petros, Lambros who is Petros’s cousin and the commander who lives in their home. The only characters I found trustworthy were Petros’s parents. Petros at only 11 wasn’t a very credible source nor were any supporting characters because most of the talk was about the war. No one truly knew what was going to happen next.
Petros is willing and eager to help the Greeks defeat the Nazis, any way he can. In the story, Petros starts off by writing secret messages about the war. He got the information by using a radio that he wasn’t supposed to use. He also hid his cousin Lambros from the Gestapo by having him hide in a well. He did this because if Lambros had been caught, his entire family would most likely be killed by the Nazis.
This novel is another enjoyable book written by Audrey Couloumbis. In this book, she uses many literary devices like imagery to help the reader understand the setting. Couloumbis also uses irony and juxtaposition to make the story more interesting and enjoyable for the reader. In order to enjoy War Games, I recommend familiarizing yourself with the historical context of World War II and the Nazi Party, as it is necessary to enjoy this novel.
The story is about the life of Petros and his family in rural Greece during 1941. Petros and his siblings were all born in New York, but in order to escape the Great Depression, his family decided to return to Greece to be near family. The main characters are Petros, Lambros who is Petros’s cousin and the commander who lives in their home. The only characters I found trustworthy were Petros’s parents. Petros at only 11 wasn’t a very credible source nor were any supporting characters because most of the talk was about the war. No one truly knew what was going to happen next.
Petros is willing and eager to help the Greeks defeat the Nazis, any way he can. In the story, Petros starts off by writing secret messages about the war. He got the information by using a radio that he wasn’t supposed to use. He also hid his cousin Lambros from the Gestapo by having him hide in a well. He did this because if Lambros had been caught, his entire family would most likely be killed by the Nazis.
This novel is another enjoyable book written by Audrey Couloumbis. In this book, she uses many literary devices like imagery to help the reader understand the setting. Couloumbis also uses irony and juxtaposition to make the story more interesting and enjoyable for the reader. In order to enjoy War Games, I recommend familiarizing yourself with the historical context of World War II and the Nazi Party, as it is necessary to enjoy this novel.
January 23, 2018
I appreciated how the author developed the characters in this book. She displayed the depth/complexity of humanity through the conflicts within each character.
March 29, 2023
An interesting story with writing I struggled with; see https://www.eatreadandbemommy.com/202... for details.
December 2, 2015
For Petros, a 12 year old boy living in a small town in Greece, WWII seems out of the way and not his problem. Petros was used playing with marbles with his friends and getting in fights with Zola, his older brother. That is until the Nazi’s invade Greece. Overnight friends become bitter enemies and Petros and Zola wonder if they can make a difference like their resistance fighter cousin.
Couloumbis uses an unusual way of telling a historical fiction. He tells it through a family in Greece, which was not a commonly known place where the Nazi’s took over. He also uses suspense often in this book. For example, when the Nazi’s invade, it is almost impossible to put the book down because you want to know what happens next. On the other hand, Couloumbis can be overly detailed sometimes in this novel as well. On page 1, Couloumbis says “They sat on a rock wall in the cooling green shade of the arbor, each with a small pile of stones beside his right hand. Above them, the weight of the grapevines rested on thick beams, the leaves trembling with the activity of so many small birds they could not be counted”.
I would suggest readers 12 years or older read this novel. There are some drugs involved and a little bit of violence, which kids under 12 might not be ready for that kind of stuff yet. In this case, I think boys would like this novel more than girls because I think boys relate to it more than girls do. The reason being is because boys with brothers tend to fight a lot, and so do Petros and Zola. I also suggest that patient readers read this novel because it can get a little slow moving at times. For example, on page 3, Couloumbis states “That left only one worthy target. Sparrows were sharp-eyed and smart, therefore nervous. Small and fast, they were hard to hit”. A reader like me wants to get to the action fast which is why I only game this novel a 3 out of 5 instead of a 4 or 5 out of 5.
This book reminds me of the book Tunes for Bears to Dance to, because it is set in the same time period. Also, both stories take place in a village taken over by the Nazi regime during WWII. Finally, those books are similar because the main characters, Petros and Henry, have brothers who influence them throughout both stories.
Thanks,
Tim Crane
Couloumbis uses an unusual way of telling a historical fiction. He tells it through a family in Greece, which was not a commonly known place where the Nazi’s took over. He also uses suspense often in this book. For example, when the Nazi’s invade, it is almost impossible to put the book down because you want to know what happens next. On the other hand, Couloumbis can be overly detailed sometimes in this novel as well. On page 1, Couloumbis says “They sat on a rock wall in the cooling green shade of the arbor, each with a small pile of stones beside his right hand. Above them, the weight of the grapevines rested on thick beams, the leaves trembling with the activity of so many small birds they could not be counted”.
I would suggest readers 12 years or older read this novel. There are some drugs involved and a little bit of violence, which kids under 12 might not be ready for that kind of stuff yet. In this case, I think boys would like this novel more than girls because I think boys relate to it more than girls do. The reason being is because boys with brothers tend to fight a lot, and so do Petros and Zola. I also suggest that patient readers read this novel because it can get a little slow moving at times. For example, on page 3, Couloumbis states “That left only one worthy target. Sparrows were sharp-eyed and smart, therefore nervous. Small and fast, they were hard to hit”. A reader like me wants to get to the action fast which is why I only game this novel a 3 out of 5 instead of a 4 or 5 out of 5.
This book reminds me of the book Tunes for Bears to Dance to, because it is set in the same time period. Also, both stories take place in a village taken over by the Nazi regime during WWII. Finally, those books are similar because the main characters, Petros and Henry, have brothers who influence them throughout both stories.
Thanks,
Tim Crane
April 7, 2012
I recently finished a book called War Games written by Audrey and Akila Couloumbis. This book is based on a true story of Akila Couloumbis during the time he lived in World War II. In this book, Akila is resembled as a character named Petros. Petros lives in Amphissa, Greece but was born in America making him have dual citizenship. Not only Petros, but his siblings also have dual citizenship. And Germans shoot people who were American, so Petros's family had to hide the secret of the family being American. They had to bury and burn everything in the house that had English on it, like books, and plates. The family even had to stop speaking English, and started to speak Greek only.
This book is a very slow book. It has a lot of details about the event the author is describing. Even so, I still have a favorite part in the book. In my opinion, that was the most exciting part out of all the other parts in the book. It was the part where Stavros, Petros's cousin, got shot by the Gestapo. Stavros's brother, Lambros, was a soldier who fought the Italian and German soldiers and had escaped. Somehow the Gestapo found out that Stavros was Lambros's little brother and he came to search for Lambros. Stavros didn't know where his brother was but the Gestapo thought he was lying so he held up a gun to Stavros's head and shot him. Eventually, he almost head-shotted Stavros but something made him miss. The bullet instead, shot near Stavros's ear and may have caused his hearing to suffer. Villagers believed that Stavros had died but Petros's dad sent him to the mountains to recover and stay with Uncle Spiro.
If you like reading a true story or a nonfiction, this book may be something you'd like to read. Overall, I kind of liked this book. In the beginning, this book started off with NOTHING that had to do with war. Later on, the author starts explaining about what Petros has to do to help his family and his dad. They had a secret to keep, hide their cousin Lambros, and live with a commander in their house. I really liked how the author does a good job of describing what life was like during war.
This book is a very slow book. It has a lot of details about the event the author is describing. Even so, I still have a favorite part in the book. In my opinion, that was the most exciting part out of all the other parts in the book. It was the part where Stavros, Petros's cousin, got shot by the Gestapo. Stavros's brother, Lambros, was a soldier who fought the Italian and German soldiers and had escaped. Somehow the Gestapo found out that Stavros was Lambros's little brother and he came to search for Lambros. Stavros didn't know where his brother was but the Gestapo thought he was lying so he held up a gun to Stavros's head and shot him. Eventually, he almost head-shotted Stavros but something made him miss. The bullet instead, shot near Stavros's ear and may have caused his hearing to suffer. Villagers believed that Stavros had died but Petros's dad sent him to the mountains to recover and stay with Uncle Spiro.
If you like reading a true story or a nonfiction, this book may be something you'd like to read. Overall, I kind of liked this book. In the beginning, this book started off with NOTHING that had to do with war. Later on, the author starts explaining about what Petros has to do to help his family and his dad. They had a secret to keep, hide their cousin Lambros, and live with a commander in their house. I really liked how the author does a good job of describing what life was like during war.
February 3, 2011
This was an interesting story, but I didn't care for the writing. It is based on the true story of the author's husband. Petras is a young boy in Greece during World War II. His family had come to America, where he was born an American citizen, but had gone back to Greece in 1932 because their store failed during the depression. When the Germans occupied the small village in which they lived, they were terrified the Germans would find out they had ties to America, and so they buried or burned everything that had any reference to that. The children were forbidden to speak English, or any language but Greek. Petras and his older brother want to be brave and defy the Germans, but they find out that just surviving requires bravery.
The writing seemed stilted to me--I thought maybe it was a bad translation from Greek, but it was written in English. The sentences were short and choppy, and sometimes I didn't quite get what the author was trying to put across. For example, at one point Petras feels bad about a small argument he had with a friend and is thinking that he was glad he had had something to reply to him. I wasn't sure if he was glad he said something nice or something snide, so I went back and reread the conversation and still couldn't figure it out. Just little things like that. A lot of culture was woven into the story which was very interesting, and in the afterward the author told what happened to the different people that the characters were based on.
The writing seemed stilted to me--I thought maybe it was a bad translation from Greek, but it was written in English. The sentences were short and choppy, and sometimes I didn't quite get what the author was trying to put across. For example, at one point Petras feels bad about a small argument he had with a friend and is thinking that he was glad he had had something to reply to him. I wasn't sure if he was glad he said something nice or something snide, so I went back and reread the conversation and still couldn't figure it out. Just little things like that. A lot of culture was woven into the story which was very interesting, and in the afterward the author told what happened to the different people that the characters were based on.
March 23, 2011
this book was reaaaaallyyyy sloww, in the beginning and really hard for me to read. It is based on a true story about a family who left the US and went to Greece. As the war broke out, they found themselves stuck there, no way home to america.
Petro's, the younger brother is 12 years old and very sweet hearted. Now his brother, Zola, is competitive and a couple years older. Zola has to be number 1, he has to be first. The boys feel like the war is years away, when yet, it is right around the corner. They are staying at their Papa's house and play the game called marbles in the garden to waste time. Now yes, Zola has to come first and beat his brother every time in this too.
As the boys felt as if the war would never reach them, it did over night. They could hear shooting, bombs, yelling and banging. This made their neighborhood paranoid. No body would share things, they were all basically living under their own rock now. And soon, what were just games they played in the garden, turned into life and death situations.
Petro's wanted to show Zola he too could step up and make the difference they are striving for.
this book was okayyyyy. too slow for me until the war was knocking on their door. haha that rhymed, sorry had to say that.
Petro's, the younger brother is 12 years old and very sweet hearted. Now his brother, Zola, is competitive and a couple years older. Zola has to be number 1, he has to be first. The boys feel like the war is years away, when yet, it is right around the corner. They are staying at their Papa's house and play the game called marbles in the garden to waste time. Now yes, Zola has to come first and beat his brother every time in this too.
As the boys felt as if the war would never reach them, it did over night. They could hear shooting, bombs, yelling and banging. This made their neighborhood paranoid. No body would share things, they were all basically living under their own rock now. And soon, what were just games they played in the garden, turned into life and death situations.
Petro's wanted to show Zola he too could step up and make the difference they are striving for.
this book was okayyyyy. too slow for me until the war was knocking on their door. haha that rhymed, sorry had to say that.
May 8, 2013
The book War Games is about a bunch of kids that have to live on the army base because there loved ones are in the army. The main character in the story is pedros. He as at the age of 12. both of his parents are in the army and are currently in afghan. the main part of this story is that the kids are trying to do something during the day because they cannot leave the army base. So the group of kids find marbles and a deck of cards to play with to occupy them during the day and during the week while barely anyone entertains them. So later in the story it was time for their parents to come home from the war and they were so happy they had to make so many preperations for them to come home because they have benn gone for atleast 12 months and the parents have spoke to their children but haven't seen them in that long. SO after the parents got back to the base the children were so happy to see there precious children and the group of friends that barely knew eachother in the early part of the story developed a really good relationship with eachother. I liked this book because it shows how little or big things can have a very big effect on things people wouldnt realize how small things can have such a big effect.
August 26, 2010
WAR GAMES tells of a the German invasion of Greece during World War II from a boy's perspective. Based on one of the author's own experiences, one gets a feeling of the emotions -- fear, excitement, impatience, resentment, resignation -- that many go through during times of war. Focusing on one boy and his family, with glimpses of others in his village, the reader can imagine what life was like during this time period.
Books about World War II are very popular with the middle grades. Most start off as curious about what happened, after being exposed to Anne Frank or possibly a novel like NUMBER THE STARS. WAR GAMES gives readers a chance to learn about events in Greece during the war of which they may be unaware. There's a bit of suspenseful moments, especially after the German officer lives in the family's home, but the tension can take a long time to truly develop and is over quickly.
I think those wanting to read "more" about WWII, might enjoy this story, but honestly I'm not sure that if they don't already have interest, this book would stimulate interest. I'd view it as an addition, but not a must-read, a grade of 'C' for me.
Books about World War II are very popular with the middle grades. Most start off as curious about what happened, after being exposed to Anne Frank or possibly a novel like NUMBER THE STARS. WAR GAMES gives readers a chance to learn about events in Greece during the war of which they may be unaware. There's a bit of suspenseful moments, especially after the German officer lives in the family's home, but the tension can take a long time to truly develop and is over quickly.
I think those wanting to read "more" about WWII, might enjoy this story, but honestly I'm not sure that if they don't already have interest, this book would stimulate interest. I'd view it as an addition, but not a must-read, a grade of 'C' for me.
March 23, 2010
Couloumbis' story is slow in the beginning---so much, I almost gave up completely---but patience paid off in this original story of WWII. Petros' family has immigrated from the U.S. to Greece, and when the war breaks out, they find themselves unable to safely travel back to the U.S., and incredibly having to house Germans. The story tells of the Resistance and of American ex-pats living in Greece during the war, a story that is seldom if ever told in YA literature. Once the author sets up the story and the Germans arrive, the pace picks up to a real page-turner. Boys will especially enjoy a wartime story told from the viewpoint of a teen who is at the bittersweet end of his childhood---his afternoons of playing marbles with his cousins soon end with the war in his hometown---and the beginning of life as a young adult who must keep a family secret from a dangerous and ever-present enemy. Even of more interest---he jacket states this is based on a true story.
June 18, 2010
I found this book particularly interesting, since it took place in Greece during the Nazi occupation (which I knew little about). Petros and his older brother Zola are American born, but have lived in a small village in Greece for nearly their entire lives. While the Italians have occupied Greece for some time, not much harm had come to the Greeks. However, when the Germans arrive, change and fear soom become apparent. Petros and his family are forced to keep secret their American connection, while at the same time housing a high level Commander of the German army. Meanwhile, their cousin Lambros is a resistance fighter and desperately needs Petros and his family's help. While I enjoyed the "Greek" aspects of the book (familiar ethnic names and other cultural elements), I wish some of the story could have been more fully described. Recommended for ages 12 and up.
February 19, 2019
Language - G, Sexual Content - G; Violence - PG
Petros lives with his family in Greece during the time of World War 2. In order to be safe, his father tells everyone in their household (Petros, his sister, his brother, his mother, and his grandfather) that they are only going to speak Greek and that they're going to burn or bury everything not Greek. Anything that has so much as one English letter on it is gone. After living in America for a few years, this is hard on the family.
I really liked reading this book. I love the suspense that is radiating from the pages, wondering how the war is going to effect Petros and his family. I didn't really like the ending though, because there isn't an ending; it just ends.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
Petros lives with his family in Greece during the time of World War 2. In order to be safe, his father tells everyone in their household (Petros, his sister, his brother, his mother, and his grandfather) that they are only going to speak Greek and that they're going to burn or bury everything not Greek. Anything that has so much as one English letter on it is gone. After living in America for a few years, this is hard on the family.
I really liked reading this book. I love the suspense that is radiating from the pages, wondering how the war is going to effect Petros and his family. I didn't really like the ending though, because there isn't an ending; it just ends.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
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February 7, 2010While slow-moving at times, I was glad I stuck with this WWII story that takes you with immediacy to wartime Greece. I really felt that I had a look at life in a Greek town in the 1940s--not looking back at it, but living through it. And, sorry if this is a superficial comment about a serious book, but the meals they prepare, even under spartan conditions, sound absolutely delicious. (Wendy, you should read this book; you will really appreciate the food.)
I hope students who are interested in WWII will take to this book, which has action and suspense even though it does not take place on the battlefield.
I hope students who are interested in WWII will take to this book, which has action and suspense even though it does not take place on the battlefield.
February 8, 2011
Maine Student Book Award Nominee, 2010-2011. Historical fiction book set in Greece during World War II, this book is based on the true story of the author's husband as a young boy. Petros lives the good life in a small Greek village playing marbles with his friends, climbing trees, tending his garden and his goat, until the Germans come to town. Now everyone is afraid and mistrustful. The German commander takes up residence in his house, and Petros and his family are terrified that the Germans will discover all their secrets. It's a great story line, but the writing is very slow. Students that stick with the story will be rewarded with an exciting ending.
November 25, 2014
In War Games the story is all about one Greek family and their story on how they survived World War Two. Petros and Zola are brothers who have a very strong connection. They work together on everything. Then the Germans come and their whole life changes. First the commander lives in their house and then their cousin, Lambros, who is wanted by the Germans asks for help from them. He has escaped many times but he cannot escape without being healthy. The family does everything in their power to nurse him back to health. I would recommend this book to people who like adventure books or World War Two
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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October 5, 2016This book was a really good book is would give it a 10/10. The author was really good and keeping it interesting and keeping me wanting to read the book. She used good writing and interesting words the made a picture in my head about what was going on and it made the story a lot more fun to read because I felt like I was in the action as it was happening right before my eyes. This book was some what close to books I read from a series called Orcha Sounding they were really good a well. I recommend this book to anyone who likes action books and anyone who likes books that can put a picture in your head of whats going on.
January 23, 2017
In the book war games Petros is a twelve year old boy in greece and its world war two. Germany is invading greece and he and his family have to survive through the war. Everyone is fighting on what to do or who right and petros show that he can be counted on.
This book was very exciting. Many of the characters showed grit but families fought and argued about the war. The way the book was written was easy to read but also very detailed. The book was sometimes hard to understand but got the point across.
This was a very good book and would recommend it to anyone over the age of 11.
I think this would be a good and short book to read. I rated it 4 stars
This book was very exciting. Many of the characters showed grit but families fought and argued about the war. The way the book was written was easy to read but also very detailed. The book was sometimes hard to understand but got the point across.
This was a very good book and would recommend it to anyone over the age of 11.
I think this would be a good and short book to read. I rated it 4 stars
January 16, 2010
Based on a true story, this book follows the actions of Petros and his family as the German army is occupying his town and house in Greece during WWII. They are trying to hide his cousin who is wanted by the Germans for several reasons. The war and occupation put an end the the carefree, secure life he's known thus far. He is both frightened by and in awe of the German commander who occupies his house and shows the family his human side. Almost everyone involved needs to rationalize their actions, which in peaceful times would not be tolerated. A fascinating read.
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February 8, 2011This boy Petros lives in Greece with his older brother Zola and family. There is a war going ono between Greece and Germany. At his house sometimes German soldiers come and kind of bother them, by like taking food from their garden. In his town Italian soldiers stay there to fight on the border. Petros has goats and when his goat had babies there was only males and to them that was bad luck. So they go and trade with their uncle for a female. Petros uncle Spiro gives him a marble with an american flag on it, from their aunt in america.
September 5, 2010
Based on a true story, this shows how children can adapt to new situations and survive. Petros and Zola grow up with the dangers of World War II literally in their own house. They still play their childhood games, but now they take on a whole new meaning as they play to survive. This courageous and heartwarming story stayed alive in Akila Couloumbis' mind for a lifetime. With the help of his wife, he published it before his death last year. I am glad he shared this story with the world.
July 12, 2010
MSBA Nominee 2010/2011
This is my least favorite of the war offerings on this year's MSBA list. Petros is a boy in WWII Greece who is picked on by his older brother Zola. The Italians are already hanging about, and there are rumors that the Germans will move in at any time. Petros and his brother get involved in some dangerous games in an attempt to help the war effort. Based on Akila Coloumbis' life.
This is my least favorite of the war offerings on this year's MSBA list. Petros is a boy in WWII Greece who is picked on by his older brother Zola. The Italians are already hanging about, and there are rumors that the Germans will move in at any time. Petros and his brother get involved in some dangerous games in an attempt to help the war effort. Based on Akila Coloumbis' life.
October 21, 2015
I really really enjoyed this book. Parts of the beginning were a little bit of a slow pace for my liking but once I hit the middle of the book I couldn't put it down. I really loved the character Petros and his boyish charms and sense of adventure through out the story. Also after reading the blip in the back about the authors and his family being what the book was based on made me like it even more.
September 20, 2009
This book almost failed my "50 page rule" The first few chapters were so slow that I almost gave up on the book. I'm so glad I didn't. It's really different WWII story based on the life of the author's husband.
I reccommend this for students in 5-8th grade who need to read historical fiction/WWII book, but don't want a holocaust story.
I reccommend this for students in 5-8th grade who need to read historical fiction/WWII book, but don't want a holocaust story.
October 17, 2012
I am always drawn to books that handle difficult and tragic historical events through the eyes of young children. This book delves into the complicated emotions of a young boy who is drawn to the mythical thrill of war and German occupation while simultaneously fearing the changes it will force on his way of living. It's light while treating a heavy topic. Enjoyable.
February 1, 2013
I didn't understand the plot to this book or really the message. It wasn't your average plot where it rises and falls and I think I read it when I was too young to understand. Or it may be that I just don't like Historical Fiction enough to really enjoy a story. Whatever the reason this book was far from good in my opinion.
March 22, 2010
The Author's husband was a child in Greece during WWII. This is his story about what his life became after the Italians and then the Germans invaded his country. Good historical prospective, although I don't see it keeping kids interested.
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