BOOK REPORT......

The Berlin Boxing Club - Robert Sharenow

Product Description(Amazon)
Karl Stern has never thought of himself as a Jew; after all, he's never even been in a synagogue. But the bullies at his school in Nazi-era Berlin don't care that Karl's family doesn't practice religion. Demoralized by their attacks against a heritage he doesn't accept as his own, Karl longs to prove his worth.
Then Max Schmeling, champion boxer and German hero, makes a deal with Karl's father to give Karl boxing lessons. A skilled cartoonist, Karl has never had an interest in boxing, but now it seems like the perfect chance to reinvent himself.
But when Nazi violence against Jews escalates, Karl must take on a new role: family protector. And as Max's fame forces him to associate with Nazi elites, Karl begins to wonder where his hero's sympathies truly lie. Can Karl balance his boxing dreams with his obligation to keep his family out of harm's way? 
Hardcover: 416 pages 
Publisher: Balzer + Bray; First Edition edition (April 26, 2011) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 0061579688 
ISBN-13: 978-0061579684

  This is the story of a 14 year old Jewish boy named Karl Stern in the 1930's.  At the time Karl being beaten up by his classmates and/or the Hitler Youth.  The time for Jew was getting worse.  But Karl and his family weren't practicing Jews.  A friend of his father's, Max Schmeling, made a deal with Karl's father.  He would teach Karl how to box in exchange for a painting Max wanted.  Karl got really excited and started his training.   Did Karl become a boxer?  Will Karl become a famous boxer?  I give this book 5.....

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges........
Outdo Yourself Challenge
Library Love Challenge
Strolling Though Non-Fiction Challenge