Chernowitz (Signet) [Mass Market Paperback]

Fran Arrick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1983 | Series: Signet

A boy who suffers anti-Semitic abuse at the hands of a classmate during his ninth and tenth grade years plots revenge against his tormentor.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Signet (May 1, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451162536
• ISBN-13: 978-0451162533
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #580,454 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting examination of being the other, August 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Chernowitz (Signet) (Mass Market Paperback)

The protagonist in this book is singled out for harrassment by the high school anti-semite. As the situation worsens he finds his former friends attacking him and his world against him. The book takes an interesting turn as the character plots revenge in the most bloodthirsty manner and then outgrows this to come into a maturity of sorts.

There are some problems with the book. It is young adult and has simple prose. Also the anti-semitism described in the book is more prevalent in schools with more Jews and since the character is a fairly assimilated Jew, many kids in whitebread communities don't know who is and who is not a Jew. (just like one assumes everyone in high school is straight until the class reunion). The ending with the Holocaust films was melodramatic.

Besides that it is one of the more realistic portrayals of what it's like to be an outsider in school and to have everyone against you for one reason or the other.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Anatomy of Bullying, February 21, 2009

By 

B. Wolinsky "Ben's Reviews" (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chernowitz (Signet) (Mass Market Paperback)

Chernowitz is scary because this is exactly how bullying starts. Cherno is the average kid who plays sports, takes guitar lessons, has friends, etc. Then along comes a big, angry kid from a broken home, who starts picking on Cherno with insults aimed at his name. Then the other kids join in, calling him "Christ-killer", "sheeny", "Jew-bastard", etc. Even his best friend turns on him.
This isn't as much a book about anti-semitism as it is about the anatomy of bullying. You have an antisocial kid who is angry at the world, spots an easy target for his anger, and starts firing away. Other kids are attracted to his toughness (which in reality is just anger) and join in.

One piece of advice for kids reading the book: Cherno makes a decision not to tell his parents or teachers and that's where he makes his mistake. By not telling his parents, he gets no advice on how to deal with it.

This should be required reading for any teacher or parent who wants to understand how bullying works.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great!, January 6, 2009

By 

Barbara D. Modeste "Mom" (Miami, Fl) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chernowitz (Signet) (Mass Market Paperback)

This book was in great condition although it was a used product. I will buy again from Amazon.com Thanks so much for your great service.