This book was very emotional as there was so much going on at all t imes. The story was very beleiveable as the reader could just imagine being there. There was always the feeling that Peter was going to be taken to one of the camps at any moment if he was found out to be helping Jewish people. More please.

— Ciara, Holy Cross College, Strabane  

This book had me wondering about all the children in Germany during WWII. How did they cope with the pressures put on them? Some of the adults had little time for children during the war years. The story was well written and explained some of the thinking of German politicians of that time, which held my attention. It was the best book of the collection I have read.

— Nicole , Holy Cross College, Strabane  

I have read many books on the theme of Holocaust, but this was definitely the best. I thought it was very realistic and gave a great perspective on life in the time of WW2. I would recommend this to any WW2 reader as it is very realistic.

— Kyle, Other School  

This was a very good book. The chapters weren't too long and it was an interesting book on the Second World War. It could get quite sad and really I would suggest you read this book.

— Ryan, Holy Trinity College, Cookstown  

This book is my favourite book so far. I like learning about World War Two. I really found it interesting and easy to follow. I could almost picture me being there. I felt really sorry for Peter as he lost nearly everthing. This book really makes you think what you have and appreciate things. I thought he was going to die when it said, 'He began to swim towards them, but never seemed to get any closer.'

— Aine, Sacred Heart College, Omagh  

this is one of the most amazing and interesting books i have ever read. it is so good i just wished it would never end!!!

— Mark, Royal Belfast Academical Institution  

Auslander was the best book I've read so far. I liked the world war 2 scenario. I found it quite interesting

— David , Holy Cross College, Strabane  

I really enjoyed this book, it was really emotional. I felt like I knew the boy and knew what he went through. It was very well written. It was very interesting to read and very historic. I really like historic books and this was probably one of the best so far. Historical books are very hard to write as you need to keep the readers interested and need to make them want to turn the page. I feel that the writer fully delivered as it really was interesting and is a very good page turner. It was a great, powerful and griping plot. It really made the reader understand how powerful Hitler was and what the consequences could be if you were a Jew and not German. I would definetly reccomend this book to anyone who enjoys historical books. A Very Good read.

— Megan, Sacred Heart College, Omagh  

So far, this is the book that I have enjoyed the most. It has a thrilling plot and I really felt emotionally attached to the main character. It also contained a lot of information about the war and the reign of Hitler. This book was written with very powerful language and it contained a unique viewpoint on Nazi Germany.

— Megan , St Patrick's High School, Keady  

I didn't love it but then again I didn't hate it. Ididn't expect it to turn out the way it did

— Katie, St Joseph's H S, Crossmaglen  

This is a really good book. It was interesting to read and because of the ways the setting and places were described, I got an idea of what time the book was set in. It was amazing and it it was hard to put the book down. I would really recommend it to everyone who likes fictional books which bring history to life.

— Karolina, Sacred Heart College, Omagh  

The book Auslander was not the best book i ever read. I thought there would be more shooting in it since it was a war book, but the plot they came up with was good.

— Daniel, St Joseph's H S, Crossmaglen  

I thought this book was really interesting and i really like reading historical books i find them very interesting.

— Eimear, Aquinas  

A very interesting book on the anti Nazi Germans and what they did for the war effort, and how silent opposition worked far better than conquest.
Great for anyone who wants to learn about the Reich, not so great for a history GCSE

— Kevin, Holy Cross College, Strabane  

A very interesting book on the anti Nazi Germans and what they did for the war effort, and how silent opposition worked far better than conquest.
Great for anyone who wants to learn about the Reich, not so great for a history GCSE

— Kevin, Holy Cross College, Strabane  

I think this book was brilliant! It shows lots of emotion and the plot was exciting. Auslander is what I call a REAL page-turner!

— Grace, Sullivan Upper School  

This book was so good that I was branded anti-social by friends. My mum came back from a week long business trip & I didn't even say 'hi' to her"

— Ruth, Victoria College, Belfast  

I thought this an excellent book, I couldn't put it down. At times I forgot I was reading a book geared for children. I would be surprised if anyone din't enjoy it. I also will recommed this book as a class novel

— Mrs McNamee, St Joseph's H S, Crossmaglen  

This book is unlike others of its genre as it captivated my interest from the second I started reading. It was greatand I couldn't put it down!

— Aoibheann , St Paul's Bessbrook  

A very good book.

— Andrew, Royal Belfast Academical Institution  

I found this book quite boring as i didn't get the story that well. I wouldn't recommend it to my friends.

— Kellie, Lisneal College, L'Derry  

It was cool. I was wondering why a war book had so little gunplay but apart from that it was awesome really really awesome.

— Jonathan, Sullivan Upper School  

I really liked this book, I found it very interesting. But I didn't understand some of the words. Auslander is more suitable for boys because it is based during the war and because the main character is a boy. There is also a little bit of romance in this book. This is a very good book, the best book I've read so far!

— Beth, Sacred Heart College, Omagh  

I enjoyed this book much more than the others I have read because the plot was exciting and I liked that the events in the book are more or less historically accurate. The book captured the feeling that the germans had of being controlled very well. However, I felt that the book was quite predictable and I had guessed the ending of the book about a quarter of the way through.

— Anna , Victoria College, Belfast  

This was a brillant book. I enjoyed it very much.I would recommend it to anyone. A book well worht reading! :)

— Ciara, St Patrick's High School, Keady  

A great book - my favourite so far! I loved the plot and the topic because I love history! Like Peter, I am from Poland so the book got me very interested.

— Sebastian, Holy Trinity College, Cookstown  

I found this book was a brilliant read. I'm studying GCSE History and one of the topics is on Nazi Germany. I think the author is extermly talented at creating the Nazi berlin so realistic with details such as Charlotte's dollshouse and the chirstmas decorations. I liked how Peter and Anna began going to Swing Youth when it was forbidden. I'd recomend this book to anyone.

— Kerri, St Paul's Bessbrook  

I thought this was an excellent book. I am going to suggest that the English Department take it on as a class novel. Most pupils have already read 'The Boy in the Stripe Pyjamas' and it would be good to compare the two. In my opinion this is definitely the better book. The tension built very steadily and the story was not 'sugar coated' in any way. I would recommend this book for Year 9 upwards.

— Mrs Beattie, St Paul's Junior H S, Lurgan  

The drama workshop we went to made me want to read this book. I really enjoyed acting out the part with the doctor but the book itself wasn't as good as I thought it would be.

— Caolan, St Paul's Junior H S, Lurgan  

A well written story about an event which given the time and place you could imagine really happening. Not exactly what you could call a happy book but well worth reading. Leaves you wondering what happens to Peter at the end.

— Mrs McConnell, St Louise's, Belfast  

This book was very interesting,as I was reading this book I felt that I was Peter.It was a book well read!

— Ciara, St Patrick's High School, Keady  

bhí se go hiontach bhí an atmosphere goar doigh agus agus síl me go bfuil se ceann de na leabhar is fearr as na 12

An exeptional example of the trobules and dangers of that time.I think thisis one of the best ofthe book's and is my favorite so far

— ciarán, Colaiste Feirste  

An outstanding book. A Polish boy is orphaned during WW2 and ends up living with a German family in Berlin. From there we get an original perspective on life in Germany under the Nazis, a tense and fearful existence even for the Germans. It captured the atmosphere of the time very well - thrilling, dark & menacing throughout.

— Mr McDonald, Victoria College, Belfast  

This is a brilliant book, I enjoyed every minute of it. I think it is based on a true story which makes it even better. Thrilling and adventurous.

— Dearbhail, Victoria College, Belfast  

This book was very thought provoking and included some daring feats. My mind followed Peter as though I was with him all through his trials. It would be nice to read a follow-up book as the end left me wondering if he survived. Lessons for leaders are to be learnt in this story.

— Mrs Karen Mayse, Holy Cross College, Strabane  

I thought the book was very interseting.This was the kind of book I couldn't put down it was so interesting to find out what would happen to Peter after his mother and father's death.

— stephen, St Joseph's H S, Crossmaglen  

This book is on the topic that we are studying in history. I liked the book but it's more for people who are into war stories. I would recommend it to someone about 15 because it's hard to understand. It's more for a boy's. I wouldn't read it again. It's interesting but not my type of book.

— Sinead, St Joseph's College Coalisland  

I thought Auslander was an great book that is about the German side of World War 2 which brought a new side to it for me as i have only heard about the British. I thought it was a great read

— Zakk, Royal Belfast Academical Institution  

This was a spectacular book to read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book as I am learning about that period in history at the moment and was able to understand much of the terminology used in the book however those who are not as knowledgable on the subject of Germany under Hitler's rule and may not fully comprehend the extent of the Nationalist Socialist attitude which lead to such prejudice and stereotypes towards the Jewish race. All in all this is book is extremely well written and clearly depicts what it would have been like to live in a place where Nazi's have complete and utter control.

— Brían, St Paul's Bessbrook  

This book was surprisingly good. I think it was more so for boys because it's based on a boy called Peter and it relates to the war. It takes you through Peter's adventurous life during World War Two. Don't be put though girls by the cover as there's romance in it too!!!!

— Dean, Sacred Heart College, Omagh  

Interesting start, but immensely boring throughout the rest of the book. The fact that I had to do research, to actually understand some bits also took the fun out of it.

— Nuno, Holy Trinity College, Cookstown  

I thought this was a very good book to read. I thought the begining was very griping and this made me read the book futher.

— Ben, Bangor Grammar School  

This was quite a good book but it took me a while to read it because it lacked excitement in some parts. It was good to see Piotr's veiw on the war as this made it interesting. It was very well written but I think there are other books in the shortlist that deserve to win more.

— Jason, St Paul's Junior H S, Lurgan  

This was a very good book but i found that the storyline was aimed more at teenage boys as it is relates to war. I liked the way the storyline followed Peter through the ups and downs of his story.

— Jill, Lisneal College, L'Derry  

I thought this was a very good book and it shoud win the award powerful and gripping

— Pearse, Belfast Royal Academy