Review of The Thing at the Edge of Blundertown

Kathy-Smith · Post by **Kathy-Smith** » 16 May 2024, 20:25

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Thing at the Edge of Blundertown" by Jane M. Bloom.]

5 out of 5 stars

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The Thing at the Edge of Blundertown: A Young Adult Novel by Jane M. Bloom is nothing short of amazing. This book perfectly encapsulates the atrocities of the Holocaust from start to finish in a way that young adults can relate to. The protagonist, Raelyn, lives through this parallel experience in Blundertown, which could be any town in America, where dogs become targeted as a public enemy. The book can serve as an excellent segue for middle schoolers or high schools to start a unit on the Holocaust and how such devastating injustices can begin with something seemingly small until it snowballs. Events are lifted straight from history with parallels drawn to Hitler’s rise to power, Hitler Youth, armbands visually supporting Hitler’s cause, exorbitant fines for business owners, rations, the Night of Broken Glass, secret hiding places for the persecuted, police raids to find the persecuted, and concentration camps.

The people of Blundertown experience the same interrelationship conflicts as the Germans. Neighbors spy on each other. Friends do not trust each other. Families are divided or ignorantly supporting each other. Everything feels real on an emotional level to the reader. The author expertly draws the reader in and keeps them emotionally invested through the story with her descriptions and character experiences. Tears blurred my vision at one ominous line, “[t]he puppy was last, his oversized paws (which he’d never grow into) prancing forward, his tail bopping with naïve excitement” (Location 1286). The doomed innocence in this statement is heartbreaking, even more so when you think about the innocent children who lived that reality.

There is beautiful imagery throughout the story, especially when describing “The Glitter,” which Raelyn experiences in her mind at night before she sleeps. “The Glitter” represents the hope, vivacity, and joy Raelyn finds in life, which gradually fades away as the story progresses, until she can no longer see “The Glitter.” The reader not only travels along with Raelyn through the chaos but also with Penelope, Raelyn’s dog. Experiencing the events through the eyes of an innocent dog who does not quite understand what is happening adds another emotional layer for the reader.

I have only two areas of improvement to recommend. One is that the tense switches between past and present. I prefer consistency throughout a book, but the author may have had a reason. The other is a direct reference to World War II. The book works much better if the reader can imagine the setting as an alternate reality where World War II did not happen. Otherwise, it is a little less believable that no one in the book sees the similarities. The reference is not essential to the story, so it could easily be omitted.

This book deserves its 5 out of 5 stars rating. If you love dogs, it might be hard to read at points. If you are not too keen on dogs, it will make you want to hug one by the end.

******
The Thing at the Edge of Blundertown
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Leona Rodrigues · Post by **Leona Rodrigues** » 04 Jun 2024, 15:04

Kathy Smith 16 wrote: ↑16 May 2024, 20:25 [Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Thing at the Edge of Blundertown" by Jane M. Bloom.]

5 out of 5 stars
Share This Review

The Thing at the Edge of Blundertown: A Young Adult Novel by Jane M. Bloom is nothing short of amazing. This book perfectly encapsulates the atrocities of the Holocaust from start to finish in a way that young adults can relate to. The protagonist, Raelyn, lives through this parallel experience in Blundertown, which could be any town in America, where dogs become targeted as a public enemy. The book can serve as an excellent segue for middle schoolers or high schools to start a unit on the Holocaust and how such devastating injustices can begin with something seemingly small until it snowballs. Events are lifted straight from history with parallels drawn to Hitler’s rise to power, Hitler Youth, armbands visually supporting Hitler’s cause, exorbitant fines for business owners, rations, the Night of Broken Glass, secret hiding places for the persecuted, police raids to find the persecuted, and concentration camps.

The people of Blundertown experience the same interrelationship conflicts as the Germans. Neighbors spy on each other. Friends do not trust each other. Families are divided or ignorantly supporting each other. Everything feels real on an emotional level to the reader. The author expertly draws the reader in and keeps them emotionally invested through the story with her descriptions and character experiences. Tears blurred my vision at one ominous line, “[t]he puppy was last, his oversized paws (which he’d never grow into) prancing forward, his tail bopping with naïve excitement” (Location 1286). The doomed innocence in this statement is heartbreaking, even more so when you think about the innocent children who lived that reality.

There is beautiful imagery throughout the story, especially when describing “The Glitter,” which Raelyn experiences in her mind at night before she sleeps. “The Glitter” represents the hope, vivacity, and joy Raelyn finds in life, which gradually fades away as the story progresses, until she can no longer see “The Glitter.” The reader not only travels along with Raelyn through the chaos but also with Penelope, Raelyn’s dog. Experiencing the events through the eyes of an innocent dog who does not quite understand what is happening adds another emotional layer for the reader.

I have only two areas of improvement to recommend. One is that the tense switches between past and present. I prefer consistency throughout a book, but the author may have had a reason. The other is a direct reference to World War II. The book works much better if the reader can imagine the setting as an alternate reality where World War II did not happen. Otherwise, it is a little less believable that no one in the book sees the similarities. The reference is not essential to the story, so it could easily be omitted.

This book deserves its 5 out of 5 stars rating. If you love dogs, it might be hard to read at points. If you are not too keen on dogs, it will make you want to hug one by the end.

******
The Thing at the Edge of Blundertown
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

What a great review! Indeed, the book sounds interesting!