Candy Bombers

by Robert Elmer

Book Overview

Candy Bombers, book 1 in the Wall Trilogy series, follows cousins Erich and Katarina as they struggle to survive in a city still devastated by World War II.

Candy Bombers takes readers to Berlin, Germany in the spring of 1948. Teenage cousins Erich and Katarina are just trying to survive Soviet isolation and starvation when they see that Americans have food. Erich sneaks inside a U.S. cargo plane where he is caught by a sympathetic...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0310709431
• ISBN13: 9780310709435
• Release Date: August 2006
• Publisher: Zonderkidz
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.9" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

Another Elmer Treasure!

"Candy Bombers" is definitely a historically accurate and riveting novel with an ingenious plot and a good Christian emphasis. I am 15 years old, but Robert Elmer has been one of my favorite authors since I was 11. He is a master of young adults' historical fiction, bringing history to life through exciting stories overlaid with long-lasting lessons about God and the Christian life. I HIGHLY recommend this book, this series, and all of Robert Elmer's books to young adults everywhere!

It's the bomb!

I am a k-12 Christian school librarian and I enjoyed this book. I am always looking for upper elementary level books for boys. Candy Bomber is filled with action as Erich gets himself and his cousin Katarina into one situation after another. The religious aspect is not pushy. There are references to prayer,and his father was a pastor. Portrays the difficulty of life after the war and Erich's motivation to help his family.

great historical for young adults

Berlin, Spring, 1948, the war is over and Germany is divided with the Soviets blockading the citizens of East Germany behind an Iron Curtain. The Soviets are starving the citizens in their part of Berlin. Eric and Katarina are teenage cousins, struggling to help their families survive. The Americans have food, and Eric decides to sneak into their airbase to see what he can find. He is caught and warned not to come back. The temptation is too great, and Eric and Katarina slip back into the airbase where something happens that changes their lives forever. Robert Elmer does a good job of showing what it was like to be a teenager in Cold War Berlin. He brings in a lot of historical information, like the actual gum and candy drops started by an American flyer. An exciting story set in an important time that should be taught more often.

author

The Wall Series is an epic tale that extends across generations and unfolds against the backdrop of a dangerous Cold War Berlin. Book I occurs circa 1948, during the beginnings of the iron curtain. In post war Germany, the Russians begin to circumvent movement between East and West Berlin. Teenage cousins Katarina and Erich struggle to survive. In addition, Erich distrusts Americans whom he blames for the death of his father, killed during a bombing raid on Berlin. Erich also distrusts the Russian soldiers who patrol the street where his father's church once stood. While foraging for food in an American aircraft, Erich meets Fred Dewitt, a man who is destined to intertwine his life with Erich's family. Erich initially resents the American, a journalist trying to help as the Americans engage in what history would later refer to as the Berlin Airlift, the dropping of food and supplies to the ravished sections of Berlin. Part of this relief effort included candy and gum for the children. Although a fictional account, Robert Elmer takes great pains in assuring historical accuracy making this series both entertaining and enlightening, engaging readers of all ages.

Great historical fiction for kids...

Candy Bombers is a fantastic story for kids and young teens. It highlights some real events that happened in post WWII Germany. What a great way to teach kids history, especially the positive side. I've read a lot of WWII era stories and never once heard of the man who dropped candy over Berlin (and in particular the communist side) as a kind gesture to the people in a war-torn land to show that Americans really did want to help them. That's such a neat story. Candy Bombers is loaded with intrigue and in some places contains really great tension. The story has villains and some scary scenes, but nothing young teens couldn't handle. After all, most kids watch more violence on television. The values shown in this story make it worth reading, IMHO. Especially now that communism is not nearly as well-known as it had been during my youth. I enjoyed Candy Bombers immensely and highly recommend The Wall series by Robert Elmer, of which Candy Bombers is the first book.