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Katipo Joe #1
Blitzkrieg
An intriguing and thought-provoking WWII novel inspired by real events from the international award-winning author Brian Falkner!
In Nazi-ruled Germany, Joe St. George is forced to watch as the country is divided around him by fear and hate. Joe thinks he and his family are safe, but when his father disappears one night, everything changes. Suddenly Joe and his mother are suspects of the state, but for what, Joe has no idea. They plan their escape from Germany, even though it means leaving Joe’s father behind. However, Joe and his mom are separated before they make it out, and he is forced to go on without her.
Eventually Joe in arrives London but quickly realizes he’s not free of the Nazis. Since Joe’s escape, Hitler has been marching west, and London is under constant attack from the skies. Desperate to find his parents, Joe begins to dig into what happened back home. But the truth is a lot more complicated and dangerous than Joe ever imagined, and soon he is recruited by MI5 and given a deadly mission that will put him in the very center of Hitler’s ruthless reign. From vital convoys across the frozen North Atlantic, to the terror of the Blitz, to the shadowy world of the French Resistance, just how far will Joe have to go to save his family ... and himself?
In Nazi-ruled Germany, Joe St. George is forced to watch as the country is divided around him by fear and hate. Joe thinks he and his family are safe, but when his father disappears one night, everything changes. Suddenly Joe and his mother are suspects of the state, but for what, Joe has no idea. They plan their escape from Germany, even though it means leaving Joe’s father behind. However, Joe and his mom are separated before they make it out, and he is forced to go on without her.
Eventually Joe in arrives London but quickly realizes he’s not free of the Nazis. Since Joe’s escape, Hitler has been marching west, and London is under constant attack from the skies. Desperate to find his parents, Joe begins to dig into what happened back home. But the truth is a lot more complicated and dangerous than Joe ever imagined, and soon he is recruited by MI5 and given a deadly mission that will put him in the very center of Hitler’s ruthless reign. From vital convoys across the frozen North Atlantic, to the terror of the Blitz, to the shadowy world of the French Resistance, just how far will Joe have to go to save his family ... and himself?
362 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 3, 2023
17 people are currently reading
1858 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
June 8, 2020
Katipo Joe by Brian Falkner.
Review
I loved this book, while I was reading it all I couldn't help comparing it to Anthony Horowitz's Alex Rider series, its that good.
Joe is a 12-year-old boy living in Berlin in 1938 with his diplomat parents. The Nazis are on the rise, and Joe gets to see firsthand the mistreatment of local Jews, before his world is completely turned upside down. He is shocked to learn that his parents are spies. His father is taken by the Gestapo, and he and his mother only just make it out of Germany.
His mother sends him to New Zealand, while she goes to London. Then in 1941 Joe stows away and makes his way back across the ocean in an incredibly dangerous journey. But when he gets to London Joe discovers that the address on his mother’s letters doesn’t exist. Suck in the middle of the Blitz, with bombs falling all around him.
Joe spies his mother outside Winston Churchill’s War Rooms, however before he can contact her she is presumed dead in a bombing. But Joe presence hasn't gone unnoticed and he is recruited by MI5 and is sent on a dangerous mission to Paris to infiltrate the Hitlerjugend or Hitler Youth movement to effect an assassination of a prominent Nazi general.
This book is very special and I knew it would be, Brian Falkner is one of my favorite New Zealand authors, his book The Real Thing is my favorite children's book of all time.
Review
I loved this book, while I was reading it all I couldn't help comparing it to Anthony Horowitz's Alex Rider series, its that good.
Joe is a 12-year-old boy living in Berlin in 1938 with his diplomat parents. The Nazis are on the rise, and Joe gets to see firsthand the mistreatment of local Jews, before his world is completely turned upside down. He is shocked to learn that his parents are spies. His father is taken by the Gestapo, and he and his mother only just make it out of Germany.
His mother sends him to New Zealand, while she goes to London. Then in 1941 Joe stows away and makes his way back across the ocean in an incredibly dangerous journey. But when he gets to London Joe discovers that the address on his mother’s letters doesn’t exist. Suck in the middle of the Blitz, with bombs falling all around him.
Joe spies his mother outside Winston Churchill’s War Rooms, however before he can contact her she is presumed dead in a bombing. But Joe presence hasn't gone unnoticed and he is recruited by MI5 and is sent on a dangerous mission to Paris to infiltrate the Hitlerjugend or Hitler Youth movement to effect an assassination of a prominent Nazi general.
This book is very special and I knew it would be, Brian Falkner is one of my favorite New Zealand authors, his book The Real Thing is my favorite children's book of all time.
June 24, 2020
This was somewhere between 4 and 5 stars for me. We purchased it for our secondary school library hoping it would be as good as the blurb sounded and that boys, particularly, would relish it.
It starts in Germany just prior (and into) WWII. Joe lives with his NZ mother and British father, who are (it seems) diplomats. Joe considers himself German and can't wait to join the Hitler Youth. The persecution of Jews is really heating up in Germany and Joe seems to be going along with it but something happens and his whole world is turned upside down. Joe ends up back in New Zealand but makes his way to Britain as a stowaway. From there a series of events sees him recruited by an arm of MI16.
I have kept this summary light so as not to include too many spoilers!
The book is full of action and drama. There is also a good dollop of mystery and suspense. At times the writing is full of imagery and it really evokes the senses (especially at the start). Wartime England (and France) is well depicted and young people reading this book will learn quite a bit about what it was like living through the war in these places. The book is quite brutal in places but so is war and espionage, so that is to be expected. I think this will be a real winner in our library and I'm confident in my recommendation of it.
It starts in Germany just prior (and into) WWII. Joe lives with his NZ mother and British father, who are (it seems) diplomats. Joe considers himself German and can't wait to join the Hitler Youth. The persecution of Jews is really heating up in Germany and Joe seems to be going along with it but something happens and his whole world is turned upside down. Joe ends up back in New Zealand but makes his way to Britain as a stowaway. From there a series of events sees him recruited by an arm of MI16.
I have kept this summary light so as not to include too many spoilers!
The book is full of action and drama. There is also a good dollop of mystery and suspense. At times the writing is full of imagery and it really evokes the senses (especially at the start). Wartime England (and France) is well depicted and young people reading this book will learn quite a bit about what it was like living through the war in these places. The book is quite brutal in places but so is war and espionage, so that is to be expected. I think this will be a real winner in our library and I'm confident in my recommendation of it.
June 8, 2020
Finally this book gets onto Goodreads and I can give it the 5 stars it deserves. I’m very hopeful for this one reaching a number of older intermediate, capable but reluctant readers. Tense circumstantial action, realistic plot, sound historical context and short chapters, this was not a difficult read despite appearing quite chunky. It is in the hands of my first target, I await his verdict with interest.
December 14, 2023
3.5 Stars
July 6, 2020
I heard about this book long before I could get my hands on a copy. It's quite long for a YA book set in war, but once you start reading, you realise why. There is a lot of story to tell, it's a goodie and Falkner is an excellent writer.
Highly recommended to young New Zealand readers, male and female. There are a couple of things in it that I would say were not for Intermediate level readers, so go for 13+. If you are not a Kiwi, no problem, most of the action takes place in London, Berlin and Paris and NZ is really a side note.
Highly recommended to young New Zealand readers, male and female. There are a couple of things in it that I would say were not for Intermediate level readers, so go for 13+. If you are not a Kiwi, no problem, most of the action takes place in London, Berlin and Paris and NZ is really a side note.
July 26, 2020
Schoolboy, Spy, Assassin; Joe is all these things and more. Award-winning author Brian Falkner’s latest book is a must-read. It is full of action, heroism, and definitely intense. It is a solid read with strong characters and one of those stories you just have to keep reading to see what happens next. Joe’s world is turned upside when his father is taken away by the Gestapo, leaving Joe and his mother on the run. Separated and left on his own, Joe finds himself in danger at every turn. He meets a number of different people, some become great friends; people he can trust with his life, but others put him in even more danger. The story is very well written, and well-researched with lots of detail creating a very believable setting and time for Joe and his story. Between each chapter there is a page from adult Joe’s memoir providing further insight into Joe and his time as spy during World War Two
The reality of war is brutal and inescapable but 12 year old Joe copes with everything that is thrown at him with a growing maturity. The story shifts between occupied Paris and the bombed ruins of London. As the son of diplomats Joe speaks fluent German and this may be his greatest asset.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book with its edgy, seat-of-the-pants pace. I totally believed in the characters, their different personalities, flaws and all. I so want there to be more books about Joe.
This really is an excellent read.
The reality of war is brutal and inescapable but 12 year old Joe copes with everything that is thrown at him with a growing maturity. The story shifts between occupied Paris and the bombed ruins of London. As the son of diplomats Joe speaks fluent German and this may be his greatest asset.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book with its edgy, seat-of-the-pants pace. I totally believed in the characters, their different personalities, flaws and all. I so want there to be more books about Joe.
This really is an excellent read.
September 15, 2020
Well written and fast paced with a riveting plot. What’s not to admire? Dealing with the horror of war across continents through the eyes and thrilling exploits of a daring and clever 12-14 year old is a fascinating way of telling this story. The action is gripping and while the experiences perhaps test the bounds of reality it quite masterfully weaves fact and fiction together in to a believable story. Humour is mixed with tragedy and the reader truly feels how the world was turned upside down.
Contains some mild sexualised content that unfortunately makes it unsuitable for a primary school aged readership. Disappointing as it did not add value to the plot and could easily have been omitted. I'd highly recommend this for highschoolers.
Contains some mild sexualised content that unfortunately makes it unsuitable for a primary school aged readership. Disappointing as it did not add value to the plot and could easily have been omitted. I'd highly recommend this for highschoolers.
July 16, 2025
2.5
it was meh...
it was meh...
July 15, 2020
We love Brian Falkner at our school... Shooting Stars is an absolute favourite and our Year 8 Syndicate love using it as a class novel.
We were very excited when Katipo Joe came out... and man-oh-man it has NOT disappointed.
Katipo Joe is well-written and exciting from the get-go. The characters are complex, the settings are vivid and the plot-line is utterly riveting.
Joe is the son of diplomats living in Berlin. His father is English and his mother is a New Zealander - and he dreams of being a member of the Hitler Youth like his best friend, adn blood brother, Klaus. That is, until he witnesses a local Jewish baker being harassed by the Gestapo.
When his father is arrested by the Gestapo on Kristallnacht, Joe and his mother go on the run to London, where she sends Joe back to New Zealand to be safe.
Joe is having none of that and he stows away on a ship which ends up being torpedoed by a German U Boat. He finds himself living rough in London... where he finds himself a pet dog, some street-kid friends, and he THINKS he spots his mother. But what is she doing coming out of Winston Churchill's private offices?
So begins the most amazing adventure which finds Joe back in France, working with the French Resistance to try and stop the Nazi Juggernaut from making further gains in Europe.
This 400 page book took me three days to read... which is miraculous for this slow reader.
It is BRILLIANT!
We were very excited when Katipo Joe came out... and man-oh-man it has NOT disappointed.
Katipo Joe is well-written and exciting from the get-go. The characters are complex, the settings are vivid and the plot-line is utterly riveting.
Joe is the son of diplomats living in Berlin. His father is English and his mother is a New Zealander - and he dreams of being a member of the Hitler Youth like his best friend, adn blood brother, Klaus. That is, until he witnesses a local Jewish baker being harassed by the Gestapo.
When his father is arrested by the Gestapo on Kristallnacht, Joe and his mother go on the run to London, where she sends Joe back to New Zealand to be safe.
Joe is having none of that and he stows away on a ship which ends up being torpedoed by a German U Boat. He finds himself living rough in London... where he finds himself a pet dog, some street-kid friends, and he THINKS he spots his mother. But what is she doing coming out of Winston Churchill's private offices?
So begins the most amazing adventure which finds Joe back in France, working with the French Resistance to try and stop the Nazi Juggernaut from making further gains in Europe.
This 400 page book took me three days to read... which is miraculous for this slow reader.
It is BRILLIANT!
July 27, 2020
It's 1938. Joseph St George is half kiwi, half English and living in Germany. Life has been good with his diplomat
parents, his new Alsatian puppy, friends and his fascination in spy magazines. But things are changing. Watching Hitler in a parade one day, Joe is surprised by the frenzied support from the crowd, and awed by the endless weaponry, marching soldiers and Hitler Youth. Joe has wanted to join the Hitler Youth like his best friend Klaus, but his father won't allow it.
Joe has seen Jewish people yelled at in the streets, even participated, caught up in other boys behavior, but it's not until he sees Jews being beaten that he realises anger and hatred is escalating. Never did he believe the violence would come to him. Kristallnacht is a night that changes thousands of lives. The Gestapo raid houses, dragging Jews into the street and away. Joe's father is taken too. Joe is soon to learn that his parent's diplomat status is a front. They are spies!
Like something out of one of his spy novels, he and his mother flee. She's suddenly another person. Professional, cold, calculating and deadly. Joe is sent to New Zealand to live with relatives.
Three years pass, and Joe arrives in London, cold, hungry and looking for his mum. He's been a stowaway aboard a cargo ship, the perilous journey through u-boat bombings making him wish he'd stayed in NZ. To his shock the address at the top of his mother's letters doesn't exist, and his resulting search for her reveals more spy activity. The only problem is he's not sure who she's spying for. Is she the enemy?
He watches her movements, not knowing someone is watching him at the same time. The few things his mother taught him as they fled Germany years before, have been useful. So useful, he is soon recruited by MI5. His training is ruthless and with one goal in mind. They have a mission with his name on it.
This first book in a new series, (Katipo Joe) is bursting with action, tension, and the historical detail is brilliant throughout (without being too much). There are battles in the streets, on the ocean, from moving vehicles and hand to hand combat.
The threads of family and friendship weave through the story, grounding Joe as a young man wanting to do the right thing, whilst training to become an assassin.
Fantastic writing, riveting spy action and based on fact, right down to a zebra in the middle of London's Blitz. Can't wait for the next in the series - Katipo Joe (2) Spycraft.
parents, his new Alsatian puppy, friends and his fascination in spy magazines. But things are changing. Watching Hitler in a parade one day, Joe is surprised by the frenzied support from the crowd, and awed by the endless weaponry, marching soldiers and Hitler Youth. Joe has wanted to join the Hitler Youth like his best friend Klaus, but his father won't allow it.
Joe has seen Jewish people yelled at in the streets, even participated, caught up in other boys behavior, but it's not until he sees Jews being beaten that he realises anger and hatred is escalating. Never did he believe the violence would come to him. Kristallnacht is a night that changes thousands of lives. The Gestapo raid houses, dragging Jews into the street and away. Joe's father is taken too. Joe is soon to learn that his parent's diplomat status is a front. They are spies!
Like something out of one of his spy novels, he and his mother flee. She's suddenly another person. Professional, cold, calculating and deadly. Joe is sent to New Zealand to live with relatives.
Three years pass, and Joe arrives in London, cold, hungry and looking for his mum. He's been a stowaway aboard a cargo ship, the perilous journey through u-boat bombings making him wish he'd stayed in NZ. To his shock the address at the top of his mother's letters doesn't exist, and his resulting search for her reveals more spy activity. The only problem is he's not sure who she's spying for. Is she the enemy?
He watches her movements, not knowing someone is watching him at the same time. The few things his mother taught him as they fled Germany years before, have been useful. So useful, he is soon recruited by MI5. His training is ruthless and with one goal in mind. They have a mission with his name on it.
This first book in a new series, (Katipo Joe) is bursting with action, tension, and the historical detail is brilliant throughout (without being too much). There are battles in the streets, on the ocean, from moving vehicles and hand to hand combat.
The threads of family and friendship weave through the story, grounding Joe as a young man wanting to do the right thing, whilst training to become an assassin.
Fantastic writing, riveting spy action and based on fact, right down to a zebra in the middle of London's Blitz. Can't wait for the next in the series - Katipo Joe (2) Spycraft.
December 30, 2021
The winner of the 2021 Ngaio Marsh Award for Younger Readers, KATIPO JOE is an almost pitch perfect vehicle for older kids (12+) to get some insights into the reality of war, and how identity can come with consequences, and loyalty is hard.
A 12 year old New Zealand boy living in Berlin in 1938, Joe's parents are diplomats, and they all watch as the Nazi's rise in power, and the mistreatment of local Jews escalates. Discovering his parents are actually spies causes a big enough shock in Joe's world, but when is father is arrested by the Gestapo, Joe and his mother manage to get out of Germany, by the skin of their teeth. Joe's mother heads for London, but sends him home to the safety of New Zealand at the same time, although by 1941 Joe has stowed away, heading for London, in search of his mother. By then it's 1941, he arrives in the middle of the blitz, bombs falling all around, only to discover the addresses on his mother's letters don't exist. A brief sighting of her outside Churchill's War Rooms becomes the last he knows of her, as he finds out that she's then presumed dead in a bombing.
His presence has been noticed however, and he's recruited by MI5 on the most dangerous of missions - to infiltrate the Hitler Youth movement, and assassinate a prominent Nazi general.
Styled very much as an adventure novel, this reads like a rip-snorting thriller, but, even if you've not read the blurb, there's an underlying sense of truth in this story, with historical accuracy and authority. Joe's such a believable, sympathetic, tricky character he leaps off the page, whether he's reeling from the mistreatment of Jews, determined to get out of the safety of New Zealand to be with his mother where he believes he belongs, or taking up such a dangerous and deadly mission. Arriving in London at the height of the blitz his fear is palpable, as is his determination, and his sense of right and wrong - which takes a battering and somehow returns time and time again.
If, as the blurb puts it, the story of KATIPO JOE is "Inspired by true events, ... a story of incredible heroism, unlikely friendships and unbearable tragedy, set against the backdrop of World War II." then we need more Joes in this world, and a lot less war. Here's hoping a lot of young people get a chance to read books like this, and to work through the challenges it raises.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
A 12 year old New Zealand boy living in Berlin in 1938, Joe's parents are diplomats, and they all watch as the Nazi's rise in power, and the mistreatment of local Jews escalates. Discovering his parents are actually spies causes a big enough shock in Joe's world, but when is father is arrested by the Gestapo, Joe and his mother manage to get out of Germany, by the skin of their teeth. Joe's mother heads for London, but sends him home to the safety of New Zealand at the same time, although by 1941 Joe has stowed away, heading for London, in search of his mother. By then it's 1941, he arrives in the middle of the blitz, bombs falling all around, only to discover the addresses on his mother's letters don't exist. A brief sighting of her outside Churchill's War Rooms becomes the last he knows of her, as he finds out that she's then presumed dead in a bombing.
His presence has been noticed however, and he's recruited by MI5 on the most dangerous of missions - to infiltrate the Hitler Youth movement, and assassinate a prominent Nazi general.
Styled very much as an adventure novel, this reads like a rip-snorting thriller, but, even if you've not read the blurb, there's an underlying sense of truth in this story, with historical accuracy and authority. Joe's such a believable, sympathetic, tricky character he leaps off the page, whether he's reeling from the mistreatment of Jews, determined to get out of the safety of New Zealand to be with his mother where he believes he belongs, or taking up such a dangerous and deadly mission. Arriving in London at the height of the blitz his fear is palpable, as is his determination, and his sense of right and wrong - which takes a battering and somehow returns time and time again.
If, as the blurb puts it, the story of KATIPO JOE is "Inspired by true events, ... a story of incredible heroism, unlikely friendships and unbearable tragedy, set against the backdrop of World War II." then we need more Joes in this world, and a lot less war. Here's hoping a lot of young people get a chance to read books like this, and to work through the challenges it raises.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
June 17, 2023
Lots of action and espionage deception!
March 5, 2021
I really enjoyed reading this book with my 12 year old son. It is well pitched to younger readers and covers the horrors of war at an appropriate level. I found the story quite compelling and enjoyed it as much as my son. I'll be looking forward to reading the sequel when it is available.
November 22, 2022
Kapito Joe made me think about what actually makes you a hero. Kapito Joe is a fictional story but based on real events and people in World War 2. It is the story of a New Zealand teenager who is recruited by MI5 to infiltrate the Hitler Youth Program where Hitler picked 5 girls and 5 boys to compete to be his heir. He saved lots of people but also had to do some bad things. In his memoir he said “I heard a wireless about me after the war. They described me as a hero. I felt more than a little ashamed. I was no hero. Far from it. I was a villain. I was just lucky that my side won.” That made me think, what actually makes you a hero? Often the Victors write history but in some cases like Hitler there there is no way that he could be called a hero after people realise what he did. On the other hand some ambiguous people like Kapito Joe that did good and bad things are recognised as heroes now but if they lost would be considered villains. After kapito Joe kills someone he says"I felt horrible inside. Like a snake was squeezing my guts. This showed that he has morals unlike someone who kills without regret. In New Zealand including Hawkes Bay some British are recognised as heroes through street signs and monuments. Even though we know what horrible things the British did here they won, so many street names and towns are named after British soldiers like Greytown and Havelock who fought in India. Having things named after you should be an honour for people who deserve it.
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April 18, 2024Katipo Joe
By Brian Falkner
Genre - (not chosen yet)
This book made me think about the hardship and the tough times that people went through in WW2. The quote “At least he’s still got a mum and dad,” shows this because at the time lots of children didn’t have parents because they had been taken to fight and help with the war or had died trying to save the country. Brian Faulkner is showing us that we are lucky to have parents, because some people haven't got the privilege to see their parents anymore. I can’t imagine how hard it would be for these children to just keep going and find a reason to live. Family is such an important part of everyone's life. Family provides you with your opinion, personality and role models. Without family you have no structure because there is know one to help influence you on how you should be and what values you should follow. Without family it is hard to find motivation to continue on with your ambitions. I don't understand how these ordinary people are able to go through so much. Losing your family and everyone around you that you love and have spent so much time with and then have the war trauma and the physical things disappear too would be horrible
By Brian Falkner
Genre - (not chosen yet)
This book made me think about the hardship and the tough times that people went through in WW2. The quote “At least he’s still got a mum and dad,” shows this because at the time lots of children didn’t have parents because they had been taken to fight and help with the war or had died trying to save the country. Brian Faulkner is showing us that we are lucky to have parents, because some people haven't got the privilege to see their parents anymore. I can’t imagine how hard it would be for these children to just keep going and find a reason to live. Family is such an important part of everyone's life. Family provides you with your opinion, personality and role models. Without family you have no structure because there is know one to help influence you on how you should be and what values you should follow. Without family it is hard to find motivation to continue on with your ambitions. I don't understand how these ordinary people are able to go through so much. Losing your family and everyone around you that you love and have spent so much time with and then have the war trauma and the physical things disappear too would be horrible
December 9, 2024
The book is called BLITZKRIEG by Brian Falkner. It is about a boy in WW2 trying to flee the war and violence. I like the story and the characters. I don't t like that some got killed off or were never seen again. It was meant to tell a story through the eyes of a boy in WW2. Nothing stood out from me. My reasons for liking the story are the plot and the scenes. They describe it quite well and I can imagine what it would look like in my head. My reasons for not liking the story are that some of the characters had the potential to play a bigger role in the story and that they had been forgotten or killed off early. Wasted potential if you ask me. The story is a bit hard to follow because of the characters and some inconsistencies in their appearance and significance. If you like war stories, you should consider picking them up if you find them. It is well written, with a better-than-mediocre story with characters that you could connect with. I recommend this book for lovers of war stories who have nothing else to read. The story was quite nice, and the book as a whole was written well. I rate this 4 out of 5 stars. It would be 5 out of 5 if the characters were given reasons to be picked off and or make them more consistent.
July 28, 2020
Once again Brian Falkner nails it! So many things impressed me with this read.
1. The way the reader is placed right inside the look, feel, taste of war-torn London during the Blitz. It was frighteningly realistic especially with the small detail, and didn't shy away from the horror on a daily basis.
2. The fast paced, action packed story of adventure and espionage, with twists and turns around every corner.
3. It still took the time for the characters to consider the ethics of their actions (and the bigger picture of a world at war), having to make huge decisions (sometimes in split seconds).
4. The amount of content that there would be to unpack if this was used as a class read - so many questions and avenues for further research.
5. The amount of research that must have gone into this book in the first place, some of which was revealed in the glossary and visuals at the conclusion of the story.
6. The format. Story, memoir excerpts (especially loved these) and snippets of speeches and songs from the period.
7. That there will be more from Katipo Joe (no spoilers but the scene has been set for Book 2).
Highly recommended.
1. The way the reader is placed right inside the look, feel, taste of war-torn London during the Blitz. It was frighteningly realistic especially with the small detail, and didn't shy away from the horror on a daily basis.
2. The fast paced, action packed story of adventure and espionage, with twists and turns around every corner.
3. It still took the time for the characters to consider the ethics of their actions (and the bigger picture of a world at war), having to make huge decisions (sometimes in split seconds).
4. The amount of content that there would be to unpack if this was used as a class read - so many questions and avenues for further research.
5. The amount of research that must have gone into this book in the first place, some of which was revealed in the glossary and visuals at the conclusion of the story.
6. The format. Story, memoir excerpts (especially loved these) and snippets of speeches and songs from the period.
7. That there will be more from Katipo Joe (no spoilers but the scene has been set for Book 2).
Highly recommended.
November 6, 2022
Something that really irritated me about the book was the pace of it. It started off fast and quickly devolved into a slow, painful read. A quote that shows this is “They will think him dead, Joe knows, realising at the same time that he soon will be if he doesn’t do something about it…” then after a brief snippet from the real memoirs, “There is a zebra in the middle of Camden Town…” This sudden change and the continued pace of the book for a few chapters is what makes this book worse. I think the author wrote this as a way to slow down and change the pace. However, they continued the pace in for too long and ruined the story. This is important to know as if you are up making a speech about something, it’s important you can hook your audience. If you do change pace it should be a brief change and should add depth opposed to taking over the book.
March 24, 2023
This book was well written and researched. I enjoyed it, but feel astonished that it is a YA novel. The thematic elements seem much better suited for adult historical fiction and too mature for YA.
I had one major issue with the book and it was Joe’s why. What is his motive for working for MI6/whatever secret agency it actually is? We never see intense anger directed towards the Germans by him, so his motive seems more like he is just going along with anything because he doesn’t feel he has purpose?
Also, Klaus. Just no. I don’t get that part and it left me so disappointed in Joe’s character.
I had one major issue with the book and it was Joe’s why. What is his motive for working for MI6/whatever secret agency it actually is? We never see intense anger directed towards the Germans by him, so his motive seems more like he is just going along with anything because he doesn’t feel he has purpose?
Also, Klaus. Just no. I don’t get that part and it left me so disappointed in Joe’s character.
November 11, 2025
Joe St George is a young New Zealander living in Berlin during the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany after his father was arrested by the Gestapo, he and his mother flee Germany and are separated, with Joe headed for New Zealand. He stows away on a ship for London and is recruited by MI5 in the UK to infiltrate the Hitler Youth as a spy.
My favourite parts of the book are when Joe and his mother are escaping Nazi Germany during Kristallnacht and when Joe escapes Paris after murdering his 'blood brother', Klaus.
I would recommend this book because it gives a realistic first-person perspective of escaping Germany before and during WWII while maintaining an action-filled plotline.
My favourite parts of the book are when Joe and his mother are escaping Nazi Germany during Kristallnacht and when Joe escapes Paris after murdering his 'blood brother', Klaus.
I would recommend this book because it gives a realistic first-person perspective of escaping Germany before and during WWII while maintaining an action-filled plotline.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2020
Wow, this was a page turner and very hard to put down. The book starts in 1938 in Germany where Joe lives with his NZ mother and British father. His father is arrested by the Gestapo and Joe and his mother flee Germany. Joe ends up in NZ but ends up making his way back to Britain where he stumbles across his mother who appears to be a spy. There are plenty of great characters in this action-packed, fabulous novel. I can't wait to get it into the hands of some of our students, they will love it (as would many adults). Well done Brian Falkner, it was definitely a five star read for me!
July 29, 2021
Joe who starts of as a young ‘aryan’, in early nazi Germany, but then he discovers his mother is a spy, they escape and she goes elsewhere, whilst he goes to live in Nz, he then goes to blitzed London to track her down, witnesses a murder, and then is picked up by the secret army or SOE. His mission is to assassinate a big man in the nazi party in France. It ends up that that guy was never in France, and his mission was a way to flush out a mole in the system.
In getting away, Joe accidentally kills his old best friend from when he lived in Germany. He gets away, back to see his dog, Grable.
In getting away, Joe accidentally kills his old best friend from when he lived in Germany. He gets away, back to see his dog, Grable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2025
World War II historical fiction books are generally outside my scope of reading but this one caught my attention. Briefly speaking, the storyline was interesting and realistic (maybe just a little bit fantastic), fast paced, and logical. I would recommend for junior high readers and above who are interested in this period; in how daily life continued in Britain during the aerial bombardment of London; in how youth survived at the time; and, of course, in spies and spy games! As a side note, the book introduces a wide range of vocabulary terms from the time.
October 7, 2020
4.5 stars, an amazingly well written book which I really enjoyed. It is set around the time of World War 2, and It is about a boy called Joe, who is living in Berlin, Germany, with his NZ mother and British father. But when his father gets taken by the Gestapo, Joe and his mother have to quickly leave. He ends up in NZ but eventually makes his way back to Britain, stowing away on a boat. In Britain a series of events happen, like Joe thinking he's seen his mother, and him being recruited by M15, who send him to an important mission in Paris. Katipo Joe was a really good book.
February 27, 2022
3.5 stars
Very enjoyable read. It is several stories in one; the size of the novel may put off the fainthearted.
It begins in Berlin with Nazi atrocities, moves to NZ (with weird gratuitous mentions of boobs and, later, boners ... 😬), then to London and the horrors of the Blitz, before culminating in a spy story in France! All interspersed with bits from Joe's memoirs. It felt like a lot.
Great action-packed story with good writing, pathos, drama and tension. Enjoyable.
⭐⭐⭐.5
Very enjoyable read. It is several stories in one; the size of the novel may put off the fainthearted.
It begins in Berlin with Nazi atrocities, moves to NZ (with weird gratuitous mentions of boobs and, later, boners ... 😬), then to London and the horrors of the Blitz, before culminating in a spy story in France! All interspersed with bits from Joe's memoirs. It felt like a lot.
Great action-packed story with good writing, pathos, drama and tension. Enjoyable.
⭐⭐⭐.5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2023
Wow, Wow, Wow!
Katipo Joe: Blitzkrieg is a book that will have you hooked from the very start. It has an amazing plot that leaves you filled with suspense and urges you to read more. It is also an interesting book in terms of World War II history and allowing the reader to experience a character from both sides of the war.
Best book series of all time would definitely recommend.
Katipo Joe: Blitzkrieg is a book that will have you hooked from the very start. It has an amazing plot that leaves you filled with suspense and urges you to read more. It is also an interesting book in terms of World War II history and allowing the reader to experience a character from both sides of the war.
Best book series of all time would definitely recommend.
Read
September 15, 2021Follow Joe as he makes his way around the world in WW2. Based on a true story of a Kiwi whose parents lived in Berlin in the 1930's. Follow him through an amazing journey through the world at that time and what it meant for people on all sides of the war.
October 14, 2021
Wow for a bigger book I sure raced through this fast. A fantastic balance of action and edge of your seat tension. Loved the snippets interspersed between chapters to keep readers engaged and intrigued.
An absolute winner for me.
Great first chapter to read aloud.
An absolute winner for me.
Great first chapter to read aloud.
April 5, 2021
4.5 stars
June 27, 2021
I don’t read a lot of wartime fiction, but this one caught my attention.
We follow Joe, a boy who was growing up in Germany as Hitler rose to power. After his father is taken by the gestapo, he escapes with his mother. Joe is sent back to his native New Zealand, while his mother goes to London to help with the resistance.
Fast forward a couple of years and Joe stows away on a boat to London to find his mother and hope she has info on where his father is being held/if he is still alive. After arriving, he is recruited and trained as a spy and assassin to contribute to the war effort.
Despite being pretty unbelievable at times, I did quite enjoy this one. My favourite part about this book was how it weaved fact into the fiction. There are some photos at the end of the book which depict some of the scenes/equipment described throughout the book. I enjoyed the characters and I’m super thankful the dog doesn’t die.
Thank you to Scholastic for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
We follow Joe, a boy who was growing up in Germany as Hitler rose to power. After his father is taken by the gestapo, he escapes with his mother. Joe is sent back to his native New Zealand, while his mother goes to London to help with the resistance.
Fast forward a couple of years and Joe stows away on a boat to London to find his mother and hope she has info on where his father is being held/if he is still alive. After arriving, he is recruited and trained as a spy and assassin to contribute to the war effort.
Despite being pretty unbelievable at times, I did quite enjoy this one. My favourite part about this book was how it weaved fact into the fiction. There are some photos at the end of the book which depict some of the scenes/equipment described throughout the book. I enjoyed the characters and I’m super thankful the dog doesn’t die.
Thank you to Scholastic for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
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