The Boy at the Top of the Mountain

By Author / Illustrator

John Boyne

Genre

Adventure

Age range(s)

11+

Publisher

Penguin Random House Children's UK

ISBN

9780857534521

Format

Hardback

Published

01-10-2015

Synopsis

When Pierrot becomes an orphan, he must leave his home in Paris for a new life with his Aunt Beatrix, a servant in a wealthy household at the top of the German mountains. But this is no ordinary time, for it is 1935 and the Second World War is fast approaching; and this is no ordinary house, for this is the Berghof, the home of Adolf Hitler. Quickly, Pierrot is taken under Hitler's wing, and is thrown into an increasingly dangerous new world: a world of terror, secrets and betrayal, from which he may never be able to escape.

Reviews

The Boy at the Top of the Mountain is another fascinating story from the pen of John Boyne. Set before and during the Second World War, it traces the path of orphaned Pierrot, from his home in Paris via the orphanage to the Berghof, the retreat of Hitler high in the Bavarian Alps. It is during these formative years that the innocent Pierrot learns about treachery, loyalty and the meaning of friendship. Although only short, this story contains many threads and plays havoc with the readers emotions; evoking sympathy, shock and abhorrence in equal measures. Whilst some situations seem contrived, the lasting impressions of horror and suffering will remain with the reader long after the last page has been read. The story assumes that the reader has some knowledge of the events portrayed and because of the strong themes, I would recommend this to a mature reader over 12. 224 pages / Ages 12+ / Reviewed by J. Hambleton, librarian.