Black Radishes by Rachel W.

Black Radishes: Response 1#

panchalk — 2017-04-19 14:15:58 UTC

This book is very interesting, and takes place in Paris, France, during the World War ll (March of 1940). Gustave, one of the characters, and his Boy Scout team, the Eagles, are collecting objects for a scavenger hunt. There is a secret test--to help someone for directions--would you help the person or ignore and run past him/her?

When Gustave and other kids 'look up' as a joke, people also look up, to angrily bombard remarks at them for being a Jewish team/group, as if they were discriminating the German bombers (some woman even spat at him!). While it pours outside, Gustave, Marcel, and Jean-Paul sprint quickly to their apartments, but Gustave notices a unusual sighting on the sidewalk: JEWS.

Black Radishes Response 1

bakhdalm — 2017-04-19 14:16:14 UTC

Black Radishes is about a boy, Gustave, a Jewish boy. It takes place during World War ll in 1940 in France. Gustave is part of Boy Scouts, The Eagles, his team was gathering objects on a list to earn points for their team. Gustave and his friends, Marcel and Jean-Paul look up at the sky as a game, everyone was acting normal till their heads looked up, people thought of bombing and were terrified, the people were yelling at them as if they did something so wrong. They were even discriminated even more because they were Jewish. It starts to rain, the boys run to their homes, while on the there Gustave finds something interesting, " LA FRANCE AUX FRANCAIS, JUIFS HORS DE FRANCE" which means "France for the French! Jews out of France!"

Black Radishes: Weekly Response 1#

sadasivs1 — 2017-04-19 14:16:41 UTC

Black Radishes is a very emotional type of book, because it shows us about separation in France, during World War ll (1940). In one part of the book (Chpt. 2), just because Gustave was a Jew a woman spit near his shoe, making it splatter onto his leg, YUCK! Many people were angry at him and his friends, because when they were playing the "Looking-Up Game", many people fell for it thinking they were looking at the German bombers. Plus, when he (Gustave) was walking home (in the heavy storm), into the narrow street he lives on (now I know his family has a lack of money) , he saw some words on the wall, fading away but he could still read it. It read: "LA FRANCE AUX FRANCAIS, JUIFS HORS DE FRANCE" which meant, "FRANCE FOR THE FRENCH, JEWS OUT OF FRANCE!". (ALL INFO FROM CHAPTERS 1-2)

Week 1 Respone

hansenm6 — 2017-04-19 14:27:35 UTC

Black Radishes is an very close and emotional book, and I can really fell how Gustave is feeling going through WW2 and all the grief he is going into as he escapes Paris because his mom and dad want him to be safe from the Nazi's who are on a mission to kill all the Jews. He is wanting to stay with his friends in Paris but he knew the Nazi's were a strong army but still the French army's strong. Until he was playing the "look-up game" with a few friends and people around them thought that they were looking at Nazi planes or bombers and even after that they got more angry when they noticed they were Jewish and a woman spit on him, Disgusting! As if it wasn't bad enough, there was graffiti in front of his apartment that said " France for the French! Jews out of France!" Just so rude and mean!!

Black Radishes Response 1#

bakerj10 — 2017-04-19 14:33:45 UTC

This Jewish boy named Gustave is a sweet boy who is in boy scouts. One day in 1940 Gustave is in boy scouts and is finding objects for a hunt. Gustave and his two other friends, Jean-Paul and Marcel are having trouble finding a yellow feather. They split up to have better odds. For there boys scouts they lost and could not find a feather so the bears won. The thing is that the bears got disqualified because they were mean. The cougars won but Gustave got ten points for being nice. On his way home they played the looking up game which is where you look up and try to pretend like you see something and people though they saw bomber and were scared. The three boys were laughing and people got mad. Gustave was going to his apartment and saw on the street there were words that said " LA FRANCE AUX FRANCAIS!" "JUIFS HORS DE FRANCE!"

__________________________________

Black Radishes
Response 2#

(I am going to leave off where I left off )

When I left off on "Black Radishes" Gustave saw some kooky writing on the street. Now after he got back home from boy scouts his mother informed him that their family were trying to get visas to migrate as far away from the Nazis as possible. Gustave was not very delighted about this. He just got 10 whole points for the Eagles. Also, Gustave said that he is probably going to win the history prize this year at school. Gustave's aunt is not coming and his moms really sad about this because that is here younger sister. That is it for this weeks reader's response about Black Radishes.

Black Radishes Response #1

delucaz — 2017-04-19 14:35:28 UTC

"Black Radishes" is such an action-packed book! It all takes place March of 1940, during World War ll. The main character, (Gustave) is pouring his heart and soul into a scavenger hunt, when he is stopped by an elderly man. The man asks him for directions several times and even though Gustave is in a hurry, he helps out the elderly man in a very polite manner. In the end, Pierre's team won for getting all of the items first, but were quickly disqualified for being so rude to somebody asking for directions on where to go. Because of this, Gustave's "Eagles" are tied with the Bears! In chapter 3, Gustave is very upset after getting news that he is fleeing to the United States for a more "safe" life. He has to leave his friends behind, and his Boy Scouts. I wish Gustave the best of luck for trying to escape the Nazi's!

Reader’s Response 1:

brzozkat — 2017-04-19 14:39:03 UTC

Gustave is a Jewish boy living through Nazi occupation in France. He is trying to finish a Scavenger Hunt right now for his Boy Scouts team. A Yellow Feather is the last thing he needs. But he comes back to the Monsieur’s place to give him the treasures they found. They had everything except for the Yellow Feather that they needed to finish. The Bears finished first and they had everything that they needed. But the Scavenger Hunt was a secret test. They all had an adult to talk to. The Bears didn’t talk to their adult, so they were disqualified. The Cougars won. With the Eagles in second.

When the Eagles were going to go home, they stopped by the Boulangerie the play the “Looking Up”game. They stopped and looked at the sky. Then, a crowd appeared with all the people looking up. The crowd started to grow in size. Then, a person noticed an airplane through the sky. They started thinking it was a Nazi bomber plane. Then, somebody figured out that Gustave was Jewish. They then spat on his leg. Then, it started to rain. Gustave thought the rain felt good while the other scouts ran home. He then discovered a white painted sentence on the ground in a puddle. It read, “France for the French! Jews out of France!”.

Reader’s Response 2:

During the invasion of other countries, Gustave learns to cope with war. He also learns to cope with living in a village called "St. George's". Eventually, he hears the news about the Nazis crossing Frances border. They decide to escape. On the long road to freedom, there is a traffic jam. Gustave soon sees a buzzard flying in the sky followed by, you guessed it: A Nazi Plane. Everyone is running until the shooting stops. They run to a white van with bad news. The horse they saw before died. Everything is falling apart in Gustave's world.

Reader's Response 3:

Currently in the life of Gustave, he has a hard time trying to hide his Judaism from his friends. He avoids the questions they constantly throw at him. It gets even worse with the new laws that come up: Jews have to wear badges showing they are Jewish. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO(you get it). Now Jews can't have the same jobs they had before. Now, Gustave's father found out a way to get across the barrier to get food for the family. He has a Swedish identification paper with him so he can cross. After a long time of waiting, they finally got to taste meat on their tongues. But Papa went with Gustave this time and there was even more security. The guard was more suspicious of them now. He checked the whole car and eventually let them through. After a while in the story, a radio show host said to chalk a big "V" on walls to stand for "France is going to win against Germany." Of course, people started doing it because they had a strong feeling in their hearts. Soon after, Yoguslavia and Greece surrendered to the Jews and Gustave painted his map Red again. What will happen next?

Reader's Response 4:

One day, Papa comes home with food that the family couldn't get before. Papa explained to Gustave that he has a Swedish identification card. So he can pass through free of charge. Papa found a good place to buy food for the family, and now they can live more easier. When Papa went with Gustave in the car to get to the place, he had a plan to get over. But this time, the usual guard wasn't there. It was a different one. He thought there was something suspicious going on. So he searched their car. But after a while he let them through. It was a difficult situation to go through. La Toussaint was coming up, so Gustave couldn't tell his friends that he was Jewish. So he played along in the conversation. A thing that's new is that Jews have to wear badges to show they are Jewish. What the heck! Now they can get caught and identified as Jewish. And it's also illegal to listen to the BBC on the radio. Now, people in France are writing big V's on the walls in chalk to represent "Victory" for France. A lot of things happen in the war.

Reader's Response 5:

Gustave now has a new friend! Her name is Nicole. She is part of the Resistance. She rides on a bike in the occupied zone to show people if the coast is clear so they can go past. Since she's a little girl, no Nazi guard would suspect anything suspicious. Gustave joined as well to do something good. Gustave LOVES Black Radishes. They taste great to him and his family! But the dark side to them is that Nazis like them too. Once at the demarcation line, Gustave had been carrying Black Radishes. A Nazi immediately took them from his hand and kept them for himself. Lots of other things happen too. In the end, Gustave's family eventually get the right papers and can move to live a life of freedom in America.

THE END

Response #2

hansenm6 — 2017-04-20 14:22:21 UTC

Gustave must be the most unlucky boy in the world. He has to leave behind almost everything that comforts him, and while his friends stay back and enjoy scouts, he has to go to some village out on the country-side. He also has to pick one of his toys and it is really hard because every toy has a background to him so he has some memories but then finally decided on monkey, his long lost buddy from his young days in childhood. Not only that, but he gives away his toy sail boat to "marcel", his friend, which he holds dearly to his heart. I feel so bad for Gustave and what he is about to go through!! :<(

(I'm going to add on through the book.)

Black Radishes Response 2

bakhdalm — 2017-04-25 14:46:20 UTC

In Black Radishes so far Gustave had to leave France in order to be safe from the Nazi's. Gustave had heard on the radio that being attacked, his Maman and Papa had also heard, they got into their truck and tried to drive to Spain for safety. Roadblocks come in the way for Gustave and his parents. Nazi planes had went over with bombs leaving children and adults hurt. People were all crammed trying to get to safety in order to leave France and get to Saint-Georges. Earlier Gustave had met a girl who had this beautiful horse but after the shooting it had died, leaving both the girl and Gustave crying

Black Radishes: Response 2#

panchalk — 2017-04-25 14:47:07 UTC

Uh, oh! Norway, Denmark, and other surrounding states are being invaded by the Germans, or better known as the Nazis. BOOM! Piercing across the highway, bullets shoot at innocence. Gustave, Maman, and Papa risk their lives to escort people to nearby shelter, as an act of heroism.

News of the surrendering country, France, angries Papa, which is ‘a national disgrace.’ *Gustave + Papa celebrate the recent discovery* “What incredible luck! We’re in the unoccupied zone!” The Nazis have organized a system, which involves an occupied and unoccupied zones, separating the population. A SIGH OF RELIEF I FEEL FOR GUSTAVE!

Chapter's 7-9

delucaz — 2017-04-25 14:48:13 UTC

I am in complete disbelief after finding out that not only Paris is getting attacked, but so is Gustave! Gustave's family is struggling to find food and Gustave is almost starved to death! And who knows, Gustave's friends Marcel and Jean-Paul might already be dead! (The Nazi's bombed Paris) After readign chapter 9, I'm in complete SHOCK! Nazi planes are flying right above Gustave's family and shooting the innocent citizens on the sidewalks! After fleeing from the car, Papa lays on top of Gustave on the ground so if any bullets hit them, they hit Papa, not Gustave. Such a heroic act! Luckily, Gustave's family all make it out alive. When they all get back in the car, they keep going. Although, things change after the traffic completely stops. The Nazi planes took down the bridge all cars and people had to past in order to go to France So, Gustave's family heads back home. Hopefully their house is still intact...

Black Radishes Weekly Response 2#

sadasivs1 — 2017-04-26 15:52:47 UTC

When Gustave and his family are hiding from the Germans, Papa showed an act of CARING and KINDNESS, by throwing himself onto Gustave so that he would not get shot. Also, Maman showed another act of kindness by helping the lost boy get to his mother. I, personally, felt very sad when the horse, Jacqueś, got shot by the Nazi Soldiers. When they described that the horse was laying in a puddle of blood, I was so(ooooo) sad. <_>
Plus, I felt bad for Gustave's family when they said that the bridge was broken and they couldn't get away. Now, that had to go back to St.Georges, not knowing what the condition is over there. The Nazis might've already killed/taken everybody there; they might still be there; or - BEST OF ALL - they might have not even gotten there, and just avoided it cause' it was a tiny village. I am VERY scared about what will happen in the next chapter. (ALL INFO FROM CHAPTER 9)

Black Radishes: Response 3#

panchalk — 2017-05-01 13:19:11 UTC

Gustave and Papa take a HUGE risk, and cross into the occupied zone. They drive deeper and further towards the Germans, only to get yelled at. After the soldier hands back the papers, he subtly understands that Gustave and Papa aren’t Jewish. (This is an illusion/trick, so they don’t get caught! ; ))

After collecting the materials necessary, Gustave notices a grandmother, middle-aged mother, and a small child. Kind enough, the mother offers a stay + dinner/lunch, while Gustave gives Monkey, his stuffed animal, he feels like he let go of a loved one. He knows Papa is judging him, for being too old to play with something that is useless.

Black Radishes Chapters 8-9 (3#)

bakerj10 — 2017-05-01 13:33:38 UTC

Gustave and his parents are heading to Spain in the truck. After a while his mom was getting even more depressed the farther she got from her sister. Eventually when Gustave was looking in the sky he saw a Nazi plane and he yelled "Nazi Plane," Nazi Plane." At that very moment everyone in the street looked up and started screaming and ran for there lives as the Nazi started bombing the people. Gustave layed on the ground pertending he died. After Gustave barely made it out alive he and his family risked his life for a younger boy just to get him to his mom. They then headed to Spain, but the Nazis bomb the bridge. "Aggggggg" said Papa as he found out that France has surrendered to the Germany Army. Luckily Gustave was is the "Unoccupied Zone"

Mike Hansen Black Radishes #3

2017-05-03 20:14:56 UTC

Gustave's father finally finds a way to get a steady flow of food, but in order to get to it, he has to go across the river into the occupied zone. Gustave also finds friends but a young Nazi soldier hears him gustave's friend call him a "boche," and the young soldier than makes him go up and down a bridge yelling; "These are Germans, not Boches." Over, and over, and over! At the same time Julian is also being held on by the neck by the soldier. All times he is holding his breath going around every corner because he knows, one time he isn't going to be so lucky...

Black Radishes: Weekly Response 3#

sadasivs1 — 2017-05-07 16:26:38 UTC

"Would You Be Friends With The Main Character? Why or Why Not?"
ANSWER: ----------------------------Yes! I would be friends with Gustave, because he is loyal and a well-mannered boy.
He is loyal when at the beginning he is late for the boy scouts meeting, but stays to help the old man get to somewhere he needs to go (the post-office?).
He is well-mannered because:
1) It doesn't matter if he was running late, he helped the older man get somewhere
2)He listens to his parents when...
a. his parents say it is better if they go stay @ St.Georges than Paris because of the Nazi vs. Jews war.
b. when his parents say that they should not reveal that they were Jews to anyone in St.Georges (including school kids; mainly school kids)or they could be in REAL DANGER.
DUN....... DUN....... DUUUUUUUUN!

Chapters 16 + 17

delucaz — 2017-05-07 23:59:28 UTC

At this point, I'm seriously concerned about Gustave's safety. Gustave and Papa keep entering the "occupied zone" so the German's can basically attack them whenever they want. The German's pretty much pressured Gustave into giving them the two black radishes that he was going to surprise Maman with. HUGE countries are basically dropping like flies, so I wouldn't be surprised if Marcel + Jean-Paul are captured or even worse, DEAD. It was also very generous for Gustave to let the little girl borrow "Monkey." To be honest, I don't even think I would've let a little girl borrow the only memory of me and my friends. I'm pretty happy that Gustave and his family live in the occupied zone because that means they are pretty much safe. Although, if Papa decides to keep making risks and talking to the Nazi's, I think they'll be in HUGE trouble.....

Weekly Response #4

hansenm6 — 2017-05-08 14:29:58 UTC

Ever sense papa started to leave the unoccupied zone and enter the occupied zone because there is food on the other side, maman has been very suspicious and nervous. Gustave goes with his dad to meet a farmer on the other side of the river because papa thinks a man and a kid is a little less suspicious then just a man, but when the reach the river, security is a whole lot tighter and they are searched a little more carefully! After they make it through and reach the farmer, ustave makes a deal that the farmer will give him some black radishes if he lets the little girl borrow his monkey for a little while (a week). Even though the food at the moment is okay, they don't have enough gas supply to do this trade for a long term, Gustave has a kid on his back of being a Jew, they have a few large hurdles on the way...

Black Radishes: Response 4#

panchalk — 2017-05-09 13:50:45 UTC

“Food had been in short supply during the winter, and Gustave was getting used to being a little hungry almost all the time.” This sentence makes me feel worried about their stamina + health, and since the wintertime is at freezing temperatures, ‘heating fuel was expensive/scarce.’ Gustave and his family struggle to remain warm, full (stomach full of food), and comfortable. Thinking about Marcel is all Gustave does, wondering if they got caught, or they are still alive.

While walking outside, Gustave spots a large, blue ‘V’, on the sidewalk, and discovers even more. What could this mean? Papa says, “The French Resistance wants people to chalk Vs all over the their cities and towns to show how many people want France to overthrow the Nazis.” ‘V for victory! V for victory!’

RING! RING! RING! Back to school for Gustave, but he was glad that most of his friends attended his classes. Time went by slowly… “OK, kids, put away your books. Recess!”, Monsieur Brunel announces. Claude offers a game of marbles to Gustave, then they played, shuffled and won several times.

Black Radishes Response 4

bakhdalm — 2017-05-09 14:30:40 UTC

So far Gustave has left France and went to Saint-Georges to get to safety from the German soldiers. Gustave and his father go to occupied zone to get food from other farmers and trade there own things. Papa and Gustave meet a family which has a little girl who has no toys because of all the war and violence. Gustave had monkey for a long time and it meant something to him but him seeing this little girl with no toys, absolutely nothing, Gustave gives the little girl his monkey for some a week until he and his papa come back. In the winter it can get real cold and especially when you don't have the heaters we have today. Food for Gustave and his family was shrinking day by day, to cold to grow crops or even go out to buy them. Food is much harder for Papa to get ever since the demarcation line security is even more tighter. Gustave can't stop thinking about friends or family, like how are they doing, are they living hard, how bad is it. Now Jews are going to have badges saying they are Jews. Unbelievable! Even worse they are being put into Jewish camps and it's even happening in the unoccupied zone. To show that they want Nazis out, people are putting V's all over buildings in cities and towns for victory. V for victory. As many people now wanna leave France and get to safety in the United States, but they don't want a lot of Jews. Gustave and his parents hope to be one of the lucky ones.

Black Radishes: Weekly Response 4#

sadasivs1 — 2017-05-09 14:52:26 UTC

In the chapters I've read so far, I feel very happy! I feel happy because Nicole offers Gustave to help his relatives escape the occupied zone! YAY!
So, when they cross through the palace, I want to know where Marcel/Jean-Paul's families are!!
----------------------------------------

YES!!! FINALLY FINISHED

After reading the whole book I feel really happy and sad! Happy- when Gustave and his family are on the ship to America!
Sad- Marcel still isn't back! :(:(:(
He could've got killed or could've gone o prison camp

Chapters 21-22

delucaz — 2017-05-10 15:33:59 UTC

I don't know if I am correct, but I believe Gustave and his family are in HUGE trouble. Somehow, Philippe found out that Gustave is Jewish... That can't be good! I understand if Nicole knows, but Philippe? Not good. It's awesome that Gustave found a friend in St. Georges though, Hopefully it will take his mind off Marcel and Jean-Paul! It was also nice of Maman to let Gustave go hangout with Nicole, and let him borrow her bike. (Even with the risks of the bike getting stolen: Maman's friend got hers stolen and now she walks to work) Pretty spectacular how Aunt Geraldine actually wrote a letter to Gustave's family saying she might come over to St. Georges if she can! But it doesn't sound so hot. Aunt Geraldine and Marcel might even be working in one of those Nazi prisoner camps as slaves back in Paris. I wonder what's happening to Monkey. Did Gustave ever get Monkey back? Well, I'm closing in on the end of the book and I'm expecting an action-packed, thrilling ending!

What I'm expecting to happen is Papa, Maman, or Gustave get killed by the Nazi's! I sure hope not!

Chapters 21-22 4#

bakerj10 — 2017-05-10 21:50:30 UTC

Things took a turn a for the WORST! Gustave and his family have to go to the police station to tell them they are JEW! Also, Philippe found out that they were Jew and is spreading it around! Gustave still has Nicole EVEN though he told her that he is Jew. At recess Nicole gave Gustave some bread and chocolate! Nicole is definitely Gustave's friend now, she even stood up for Gustave in front of Philippe! Also, Nicole told Gustave that he can ride his back with her to see the castle that makes chocolate! One night at dinner Gustave spilled out everything with Philippe and Nicole and school, but his parents understood. The more I read this book the more I want to meet Nicole and help Gustave. Aunt Geraldine FINALLY wrote back to Gustave saying that they were OK! That is going to wrap up this Black Radishes Response.

-Jack

FINISHED!!

delucaz — 2017-05-17 14:39:52 UTC

END OF BOOK

bakerj10 — 2017-05-18 20:10:44 UTC

Boom!!! Is what happened in my mind after I read the end of the book. I would really recommend this book and give it a 8/10. I would only give it an 8 because they did not tell how Gustave lived in America, and what happened to Marcel? I am still happy that Gustave an
Jean-Paul are ok! Also, I am amazed on how the soldier was seriously going to shoot the truck!!!! If he did shoot the truck it would be a tragic ending for Gustave and Jean-Paul. One day Gustave caught Jean-Paul stuffing bread into his pocket and Jean-Paul that some days he would get no food and his baby sister would cry all night because she was so hungry. That is it for my last Black Radish's response.
-Jack

Black Radishes: Response 5#(LAST!)

panchalk — 2017-05-18 22:54:40 UTC

Gustave's Aunt Geraldine returns, with Jean - Paul, and Giselle (very ill), and everyone is delighted! To cross the demarcation line, they concluded a plan: to distract Karl with Gustave and... black radishes.

Luckily, they escape with fortunate luck! Yes! Further later in the story, Aunt Geraldine, Jean - Paul, Giselle, and Gustave + his parents climb onto a ship, and shift across the seas. The End.

Thoughts/Recommendation
Finishing Black Radishes was like ending a really expressive movie, you want more! Gustave was just a young, innocent Jew, who had to stress/worry about anything he did or went. Being born during World War ll was not an auspicious time, but seriously! Fighting is wrong, and violence is not the right solution. Genocide is something that should have been stopped in that period of time, even now! I definitely recommend this book, to any reading lexile level, because it really grasps to a real, actual international event/historical plot. I rate this EXTRAORDINARY book a 10 out of 10!

Done!!!!! YES!!

hansenm6 — 2017-05-19 13:53:35 UTC

Gustave feels hope and darkness every corner of his life and when Gustave found out that Nicole is in the French resistance and that is a good thing but how his family almost is arrested because they were accused of signalling british planes but then they were let loose when they realized that you can't get to the attic from their side of the house. And when they get the news that lacels family is missing. Gustave has the choice to tell