(Kirkus Reviews)
Joseph St. George is 12 on Nov. 9, 1938—Kristallnacht—when the Gestapo take his father away. Joe's family isn't Jewish, and he believes his New Zealander parents are diplomats. He's grown up in Berlin and, with his best friend, Klaus, nephew of Martin Bormann, Hitler's secretary, has witnessed both military parades and the persecution of neighborhood Jews. When he and his mother have to flee for their lives, Joe realizes there's more to her life than he knew—especially once she shoots a man. The story then flashes forward two years. Joe, who was sent to live with family on a sheep farm in New Zealand, stows away to London in search of his mother only to discover that the address she gave him doesn't exist. His attempts to find her lead to mayhem, death, and an interesting invitation from the British government. With a cracking pace and an interesting assortment of largely White characters (excepting Black British musician Ken “Snakehips” Johnson, a historical figure who makes a cameo appearance), it's a compelling trip presented through the eyes of a natural spy. The wartime details are spot-on. Joe's initial admiration for Hitler and willingness to target his Jewish neighbors are hard to read about but help show readers his growth from boy to man.
Smart, satisfying, and leaving room for a sequel. (bibliography) (Historical fiction. 12-16)
(Publishers Weekly)
This immersive, high-stakes WWII spy novel centers protagonist Joseph “Katipo” St. George, a 12-year-old child of diplomat parents—a British father and New Zealander mother. In 1938 Berlin, Joe is familiar with the displays of the Hitler Youth (his best friend's uncle is one of Hitler's top aides) and encounters antisemitic violence. After the Gestapo takes his father, Joe's mother facilitates escape for herself and for Joe, giving her son an assumed identity—and suggesting that there's more to his parents than he previously realized. Joe is sent to safety on a New Zealand farm but stows away on a naval ship to London, depicted in a rousing 1941-set segment. There, the mystery around his mother's London whereabouts leads to life alongside “Blitz rat” children and covert operations of his own. Falkner (The Project) intersperses plot-driven third-person chapters with first-person excerpts from the fictional protagonist's memoirs. Though complications sometimes bog down the pacing en route to a cliffhanger ending, it's a historically grounded novel of intrigue alongside familial and personal change. Protagonists cue as white. Ages 12–up. (Jan.)
(AustCrime)
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.
(Kiwi Reviews)
Since I was already familiar with other works by Brian Falkner, and have a particular interest in the history of the second World War, I was looking forward to reading this novel. Even more interesting was the background to the story: it is inspired by true events. Had I not known that prior to reading the book, I would have thought that some of the things that happened to Joe were improbable. It is certainly a case of truth being stranger than fiction - although there was undoubtedly some poetic licence taken to ensure the events rolled out smoothly.
The book is told via flashbacks and flashforwards. This could have been daunting to a younger reader who might not be familiar with stories told in a non-linear fashion, but almost every segment is prefaced by a date and place reference together with a related quote from different sources - mainly the "memoirs" of the main character, Joseph (Katipo) St George - although others quoted include Winston Churchill, Joseph Goebbels, various contemporary media sources, and popular songs. These quotes appear against a background graphic of a folded page, weathered and creased from being stored in the pocket of a wartime jacket. This organisation makes it possible for the reader to negotiate Joe's story with little difficulty.
The story itself is fast-paced and full of strong action, some graphically described so as to leave no illusion that war is anything but a deadly game. The protagonists are well fleshed out; Joe's three young English friends are described so vividly that it is hard to imagine that they were not real people. Indeed, they represent the many youngsters who would have lived in similar fashion, risking their lives to survive in unbelievably difficult conditions. They make no apologies for being rough and ready; in their world, there is no place for such formalities. In similar vein, Joe's friends back in Germany are presented warts and all, complete with their antisemitic beliefs and aspirations to join up with Hitler Youth because of the glorious experience it offered. Despite their radical hatred, it is possible to feel a glimmer of empathy for them as Joe struggles to evaluate his own feelings and attitudes.
Although the story is aimed at young adults, a capable intermediate-school aged reader would be able to enjoy it. There is nothing in the book that would be unsuitable for a bright 11- or 12-year-old; the sequences that deal with death are not gratuitously violent. There is the opportunity, indeed, for a younger reader to extend his or her own knowledge of world history and to raise any questions with an older family member or teacher. I am going to pass it on to our ten-and-a-half-year-old who is an accelerate reader, but will also be encouraging him to talk about it if he finds any of the content upsetting. I don't think he will, but the offer is there just in case.
Although the story is compelling and I cannot recommend it highly enough, there was just one thing that let the book down - and that was the proofreading. There were several misprints which annoyed me, both in the English text itself (Mickey Mouse being spelled two different ways within the same paragraph; the Goldstein twins suddenly and inexplicably changing their surname to Rabinowitz; Joe in disguise as an American boy describing a German footballer as being famous from "Alaska to Hawaii" although neither of these was part of the USA until the late 1950s.) When the building on Avenue Foch explodes, a cloud of dust envelops Joe and the others. The misspelling of "envelops" completely alters the intended meaning.
There are also some anomalies in the German text. Sieg Heil is written as Seig Heil, and Wehrmacht is consistently written as Wermacht, a usage I have not come across before. Judegeliebter does not quite carry the intended meaning of "Jew Lover" - Geliebter is a passive description meaning someone who is beloved, not a person who loves others. Again, that changes the meaning. It may s
(NZ Booklovers)
Brian Falkner is a New Zealand children's book writer, whose books have been published in 14 countries – so he is an international success story! His latest book, Katipo Joe, is a thrilling World War II read for young people aged 12+.
Katipo Joe is fiction but is inspired by true events. Joe is the main character, and we first meet him as 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, not diplomats. And then his father is captured 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, and the story picks up again in 1941, when Joe makes it across the ocean as a stowaway, in an incredibly dangerous journey. But when he gets to London Joe discovers that the address on his mother's letters doesn't exist. So he is in the middle of the Blitz, with bombs raining down, and all alone.
But then things get even more tense. He finally spies his mother outside Winston Churchill's War Rooms and after following her, he becomes worried she is a German spy. Then, before he has the chance to connect with his mother, he is recruited by MI5 and is sent on a dangerous mission to Paris to assassinate an infamous Nazi official.
Katipo Joe is a page-turning, action-packed read. It's a story of heroism and tragedy, and friendships forged in the midst of struggle. It's a great way for young people to learn about the Second World War through Joe's adventures, as the book features real events and people from the war.
(Bob's Book Blog)
This action filled war story of World war 2 is a novel to rival the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz. I make this comparison because it is totally world class writing from, in my opinion the best action writer in New Zealand.
Based on true events it is set in Berlin in 1938 as the Nazi machine was taunting the world with threats and it's anti Jewish programe. Joe is 12 years old and his parents work as diplomats and also spy on the Nazis. Joe goes to school in Berlin and mixes with Martin Borman's nephew Klaus. Joe is a blue eyed blond youth and speaks fluent German , a fact that makes him a target for espionage.
When his father is arrested by the gestapo, Joe and his mother escape from berlin in a thrilling piece of action.
The scene shifts to London during the Blitz with Joe living in the ruins of the city looking for his mother. he meets friends on the street and the tragedy of wartime Britain. He gets involved in a Nazi spy ring that involves his mother and when his mother is allegedly killed in a Nazi bomb plot, Joe is seconded by MI6 special forces and trained to be a spy.
The scene then shifts to occupied Paris with Joe flown into France to infiltrate the Hitlerjugend or Hitler Youth movement to effect an assassination of a prominent Nazi general. The action is thrilling.
Splendidly written by Brian Falkner who is at the top of his game. The action is astonishing and tragic. War is like this. Don't miss this one it is superb.
For readers between 12 years and 16 years. Adults will love it too. Photographs in the back plus a glossary giving all the aircraft, guns and Nazi terms. Easy to read and compelling.
(Kirkus Reviews) ▼
Joseph St. George is 12 on Nov. 9, 1938—Kristallnacht—when the Gestapo take his father away. Joe's family isn't Jewish, and he believes his New Zealander parents are diplomats. He's grown up in Berlin and, with his best friend, Klaus, nephew of Martin Bormann, Hitler's secretary, has witnessed both military parades and the persecution of neighborhood Jews. When he and his mother have to flee for their lives, Joe realizes there's more to her life than he knew—especially once she shoots a man. The story then flashes forward two years. Joe, who was sent to live with family on a sheep farm in New Zealand, stows away to London in search of his mother only to discover that the address she gave him doesn't exist. His attempts to find her lead to mayhem, death, and an interesting invitation from the British government. With a cracking pace and an interesting assortment of largely White characters (excepting Black British musician Ken “Snakehips” Johnson, a historical figure who makes a cameo appearance), it's a compelling trip presented through the eyes of a natural spy. The wartime details are spot-on. Joe's initial admiration for Hitler and willingness to target his Jewish neighbors are hard to read about but help show readers his growth from boy to man.
Smart, satisfying, and leaving room for a sequel. (bibliography) (Historical fiction. 12-16)
(Publishers Weekly) ▼
This immersive, high-stakes WWII spy novel centers protagonist Joseph “Katipo” St. George, a 12-year-old child of diplomat parents—a British father and New Zealander mother. In 1938 Berlin, Joe is familiar with the displays of the Hitler Youth (his best friend's uncle is one of Hitler's top aides) and encounters antisemitic violence. After the Gestapo takes his father, Joe's mother facilitates escape for herself and for Joe, giving her son an assumed identity—and suggesting that there's more to his parents than he previously realized. Joe is sent to safety on a New Zealand farm but stows away on a naval ship to London, depicted in a rousing 1941-set segment. There, the mystery around his mother's London whereabouts leads to life alongside “Blitz rat” children and covert operations of his own. Falkner (The Project) intersperses plot-driven third-person chapters with first-person excerpts from the fictional protagonist's memoirs. Though complications sometimes bog down the pacing en route to a cliffhanger ending, it's a historically grounded novel of intrigue alongside familial and personal change. Protagonists cue as white. Ages 12–up. (Jan.)
(AustCrime) ▼
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.
(Kiwi Reviews) ▼
Since I was already familiar with other works by Brian Falkner, and have a particular interest in the history of the second World War, I was looking forward to reading this novel. Even more interesting was the background to the story: it is inspired by true events. Had I not known that prior to reading the book, I would have thought that some of the things that happened to Joe were improbable. It is certainly a case of truth being stranger than fiction - although there was undoubtedly some poetic licence taken to ensure the events rolled out smoothly.
The book is told via flashbacks and flashforwards. This could have been daunting to a younger reader who might not be familiar with stories told in a non-linear fashion, but almost every segment is prefaced by a date and place reference together with a related quote from different sources - mainly the "memoirs" of the main character, Joseph (Katipo) St George - although others quoted include Winston Churchill, Joseph Goebbels, various contemporary media sources, and popular songs. These quotes appear against a background graphic of a folded page, weathered and creased from being stored in the pocket of a wartime jacket. This organisation makes it possible for the reader to negotiate Joe's story with little difficulty.
The story itself is fast-paced and full of strong action, some graphically described so as to leave no illusion that war is anything but a deadly game. The protagonists are well fleshed out; Joe's three young English friends are described so vividly that it is hard to imagine that they were not real people. Indeed, they represent the many youngsters who would have lived in similar fashion, risking their lives to survive in unbelievably difficult conditions. They make no apologies for being rough and ready; in their world, there is no place for such formalities. In similar vein, Joe's friends back in Germany are presented warts and all, complete with their antisemitic beliefs and aspirations to join up with Hitler Youth because of the glorious experience it offered. Despite their radical hatred, it is possible to feel a glimmer of empathy for them as Joe struggles to evaluate his own feelings and attitudes.
Although the story is aimed at young adults, a capable intermediate-school aged reader would be able to enjoy it. There is nothing in the book that would be unsuitable for a bright 11- or 12-year-old; the sequences that deal with death are not gratuitously violent. There is the opportunity, indeed, for a younger reader to extend his or her own knowledge of world history and to raise any questions with an older family member or teacher. I am going to pass it on to our ten-and-a-half-year-old who is an accelerate reader, but will also be encouraging him to talk about it if he finds any of the content upsetting. I don't think he will, but the offer is there just in case.
Although the story is compelling and I cannot recommend it highly enough, there was just one thing that let the book down - and that was the proofreading. There were several misprints which annoyed me, both in the English text itself (Mickey Mouse being spelled two different ways within the same paragraph; the Goldstein twins suddenly and inexplicably changing their surname to Rabinowitz; Joe in disguise as an American boy describing a German footballer as being famous from "Alaska to Hawaii" although neither of these was part of the USA until the late 1950s.) When the building on Avenue Foch explodes, a cloud of dust envelops Joe and the others. The misspelling of "envelops" completely alters the intended meaning.
There are also some anomalies in the German text. Sieg Heil is written as Seig Heil, and Wehrmacht is consistently written as Wermacht, a usage I have not come across before. Judegeliebter does not quite carry the intended meaning of "Jew Lover" - Geliebter is a passive description meaning someone who is beloved, not a person who loves others. Again, that changes the meaning. It may s
(NZ Booklovers) ▼
Brian Falkner is a New Zealand children's book writer, whose books have been published in 14 countries – so he is an international success story! His latest book, Katipo Joe, is a thrilling World War II read for young people aged 12+.
Katipo Joe is fiction but is inspired by true events. Joe is the main character, and we first meet him as 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, not diplomats. And then his father is captured 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, and the story picks up again in 1941, when Joe makes it across the ocean as a stowaway, in an incredibly dangerous journey. But when he gets to London Joe discovers that the address on his mother's letters doesn't exist. So he is in the middle of the Blitz, with bombs raining down, and all alone.
But then things get even more tense. He finally spies his mother outside Winston Churchill's War Rooms and after following her, he becomes worried she is a German spy. Then, before he has the chance to connect with his mother, he is recruited by MI5 and is sent on a dangerous mission to Paris to assassinate an infamous Nazi official.
Katipo Joe is a page-turning, action-packed read. It's a story of heroism and tragedy, and friendships forged in the midst of struggle. It's a great way for young people to learn about the Second World War through Joe's adventures, as the book features real events and people from the war.
(Bob's Book Blog) ▼
This action filled war story of World war 2 is a novel to rival the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz. I make this comparison because it is totally world class writing from, in my opinion the best action writer in New Zealand.
Based on true events it is set in Berlin in 1938 as the Nazi machine was taunting the world with threats and it's anti Jewish programe. Joe is 12 years old and his parents work as diplomats and also spy on the Nazis. Joe goes to school in Berlin and mixes with Martin Borman's nephew Klaus. Joe is a blue eyed blond youth and speaks fluent German , a fact that makes him a target for espionage.
When his father is arrested by the gestapo, Joe and his mother escape from berlin in a thrilling piece of action.
The scene shifts to London during the Blitz with Joe living in the ruins of the city looking for his mother. he meets friends on the street and the tragedy of wartime Britain. He gets involved in a Nazi spy ring that involves his mother and when his mother is allegedly killed in a Nazi bomb plot, Joe is seconded by MI6 special forces and trained to be a spy.
The scene then shifts to occupied Paris with Joe flown into France to infiltrate the Hitlerjugend or Hitler Youth movement to effect an assassination of a prominent Nazi general. The action is thrilling.
Splendidly written by Brian Falkner who is at the top of his game. The action is astonishing and tragic. War is like this. Don't miss this one it is superb.
For readers between 12 years and 16 years. Adults will love it too. Photographs in the back plus a glossary giving all the aircraft, guns and Nazi terms. Easy to read and compelling.
