Kastner's story is heartwarming and upbeat, and Walter Trier's graceful line drawings give life to the book.

The decision to change the character's German names into awkward American English in the ebook version I read is questionable, but the translation by Martin gives me a real feel for the story, its places, and the people in it.

This is one of those "children's" books that all us "adults" can happily read. It was written in 1929, in another country, but feels fresh and new and clear to me today. ( )

I read a memoir (When I Was a Little Boy..review here ..https://www.librarything.com/work/1279531/book/244526454 ) by the same author earlier in the year and whilst it was not my favourite of the year, the writing and the references in the blurbs to this YA novel made me want to read it also.

I placed a hold in the local library, and it was some months later before it came available (even though there were multiple copies in circulation), which reinforces the idea that this is an in demand book.

In short it is delightful, but not in that cloying way. Of course being written in the time between the 2 WW, and largely in Berlin of all places, it would not be regarded by anyone today as 'realistic'. But I enjoyed the short read.

A young boy goes on holiday from his one parent family from rustic Germany to family living in Berlin, loses $7 (pounds in the translation) on the rail journey and chases the culprit along with a number of new friends and gains satisfaction

A wholesome and fun read, and probably even more so for those a little younger than me!

Family, resourcefulness, appreciation of others, working together, etc

I will leave it to my primary school colleagues to tell me where this is best pitched

Big Ship

20 October 2023 ( )

Als Deutschschülerin, ich fand dieses Buch ein bisschen oben mein Niveau (B2.1/B.2). Die Vokabeln war überraschend vielfältig, und das bedeutet, dass ich viele Zeit mit meinem Wörterbuch verbringen musste. Deshalb läuft die Geschichte für mich nicht. Andererseits war die Geschichte wirklich toll, sehr spannend. Ich wünsche mir, dass ich darauf gewartet hätte, um dieses Buch zu lesen. Dann würde es mehr Spaß machen. ( )

Great little fun story in Berlin about 1929. Group of kids follow adult thief to help Emil who is visiting his grandmother. I had it in German for a long time but never took the time to read it. Now that I've read it in English, I can try German again! This translation by J.D. Stahl is "toll" ! ( )

Oh, how I wish I had read this in 1975, back when I was about 10 years old! Had I read it then, I probably would have read it over and over.
Emil is a German boy in 4th grade who is sent by train to visit his Grandmother in Berlin. His mother has given him 140 marks, 120 for his Grandmother, and 20 for his own use and to buy his train ticket home. Worried about losing the money, he pins it inside his suit jacket. Alas, he falls asleep on the train, and the money is stolen from him. As soon as he realizes he has been robbed, he knows it had to be "the man with the stiff hat" who was sharing the train compartment with him. So he gets off at the wrong station in order to follow the suspect.
In no time, Emil has gathered a gang of new friends, eager to play detective and catch the thief, and the bulk of the book describes their adventures as they figure out how to nab the crook and get back Emil's money.
Just delightful! ( )