Great discussion book for teachers

Real Time by Kass is the separate journeys of a few characters that end up being connected through an act of terrorism. Each characters story is told in distinct and separate parts, which are separated, by the first person actions of the character and the time and date. The three main characters are teenagers in which one is trying to erase the memories of the holocaust, another is trying to escape from her parents and the memory of her one true love who committed suicide, and the last is trying to solve the mystery of who is Nazi Officer grandfather really was. This book is quit graphic in the aspect of violence. It is also explores many different religions and cultures that are very foreign to most Americans. In being such a graphic and culturally diverse book, it is a great window into modern day Israel and Palestine. Although the first person narrative and multiple character stories make this story quite confusing at times; and the content of the book is quit foreign and violent at times, this book is a great read for young adults. Kass has given readers an opportunity to see inside a turmoil stricken country and to place a face and personality with the people seen on the news everyday.

A Decent Read

"Real Time" by Pnina Moed Kass takes place in present day Israel. The storyline it presents confronts mature themes including war, violence, hatred, and coming to terms with one's troubled past. The story is told from several different points of view in first person in real time, literally, as the story is unfolding. All the different viewpoints could make for a rather challenging read to younger readers. They also make for a slow-moving first eighty pages or so because it takes a little while for the reader to orient themselves to all the different characters and their backgrounds. Once the reader gains their bearings and the book progresses further into the plot, it moves along much quicker and is much more satisfying.

The book has kind of a philosophical approach when it comes to discussing the themes of war, violence, etc. It also contains a few graphic depictions of violence.

I would not recommend this novel to reluctant young readers because of the difficulties experienced when beginning to read the novel and getting acquainted with all of the character. Also, it doesn't move too quickly in the beginning and doesn't provide the kind of stimulation that might be necessary to hold the attention of more reluctant readers.

I would, however, recommend it to eager young adult readers. But I would strongly suggest providing a history lesson along with the book (as it relates to the violent interaction between Palestinians and Israelites). Furthermore, relating it to other current events taking place in Israel or the Middle East would give the readers some experience in the kind of real-life atrocities that inspired this literature. Finally, it is of the utmost importance that with these lessons a section on morality/ethics/virtue be provided.

Real Story of Real Time

Pnina Moed Kass' "Real Time" follows several different people as they are unwittingly involved with a terrorist attack by one of the main characters of the book. Each of the characters in the book have their own reasons for being where they are at or doing what they are doing. Their reasons are justified through first person segments that take place over a period of five days. The plot is developed through these segments, and are separated by the time these events take place. However, this can be somewhat confusing as the segments are rarely longer than a page or two which seems to lead to the author forcing in certain information while leaving much out.

Another jarring aspect about the book is the (mostly) consistent first person narrative of the story. What is so disruptive about it it that each of the many different characters tell their stories through this first person narrative. While this might be more of a personal preference a third person point of view could very well make the novel more accessible to young readers. Unfortunately the first person narrative also leads to some fairly bland characters. Slowly, over the course of the novel, the characters develop into their own but even after reading the novel few of the characters have faces.

The real strength of "Real Time" is the message being sent through its pages. The violence, as seen through the eyes of people that many young adults can easily relate to, helps to explain the actions of some to those who might be unfamiliar with the personal choices made by others.

Review of Real Time

In this novel Kass explores Isreal through several teens. The reader gets the views through several teens trying to find themselves, all the while a terrorist attack is about them. One is trying to erase the holocaust memories he has. The other trying to find out the truth about his grandfather who was a Nazi officer, and the last trying to escape her memory of her parents and boyfriend who commits suicide. The book is aimed at a more mature audience because it does have a great deal of violence and a cruelty to it. It does a decent job trying to stay nuetral throughout the story as there are so many different backgrounds the characters come from. Keen does a good job portraying Isreal in it's current state and gives us insight into other similar crises throught diverse characters. The novel definetly has a place on the shelf given the current state of things in the east. It gives us good insight and thought to things people go through over seas, especially teens who are trying to sort through their issues. I would recommend it for the young adult reader as they can relate to many things that are going on.

Maybe I just don't know enough about history...

When I first picked up Real Time, I thought this book was going to be exclusively about Jewish communities and the Nazi's that invaded them (which was definitely not the gist of what the book was about at all). I honestly didn't even give the back of the novel a chance before I dived in, which was a bad idea because I was immediately confused about several things; When the heck is this all taking place? Who are all of these characters, and what do they have to do with the first one I was introduced to? I guess that's the downfall of writing in first-person though, because a character can simply leave important details out that would help while one is actually reading the book. It also wasn't about the kind of Nazi story I was expecting to read about, instead taking place in Jerusalem and the Middle East.

In all, I thought the writing was decent; easy for a younger student to read and understand. The situations that the characters were put through were intense and realistic, giving me insight to several different takes on what happened instead of one exclusive experience. This is nice, I think, because it's then hard to pick a single side and stick with it. It gives kids choices and options, so they can choose their own opinion and go with it instead of having it done for them.

For someone who is interested in Nazis and the Middle East, this may be a good book for you. However, it is certainly not the best thing I've ever read. The varying between POV gets confusing, there are parts where the author is suddenly switching to scripted writing (not often, but it still bothered me), and it could use a bit more explanation IN the book about these events, as well as other little details that would otherwise make it a great read. The story itself is intriguing, just not for my personal taste.

Real Time by Pnina Moed Kass

Real Time was decent, overall. It did not necessarily pull me in from page one. I did enjoy it however; it was not until about eighty pages in until it actually began to intrigue me. There were only a few characters I felt that were really developed, however, those characters were what compelled me to turn the page. The beginning of the novel was confusing. It was hard to keep all the names and locations straight, especially when a character's perspective is only given once or twice. I felt that the story might have been easier to read, had it only followed a few of those characters perspectives. That would have been much more efficient rather than trying to remember insignificant characters. The book did read a little slow, however, it began to pick up in the end. The historical content behind the novel was interesting, but I felt it could have been more in depth. I feel for Young Adult Literature, this novel would not be the best at grabbing their attention, unless one has a specific interest in Isreal or the historical issues Real Time covers. For an excessive reader, it is worth a read, a reluctant reader on the other hand, I would not bother.

Great book for everyone!

Set in contemporary Israel, "Real Time", is told from the perspectives of several characters. Readers get to know each character by thoughts, actions, and beliefs, and become apart of their identities. Kass' brilliant work helps readers not only put themselves in the shoes of the characters in the book, but also in the lives of people who are living in a world different from ours. The suspense and actions of the book make it impossible to put down, as well as wanting to know more about the relatable characters. Although designed for young adults, and obviously a perfect book to be taught in classrooms today, this book should be read by everyone. It is important for us, especially U.S. citizens, away from war to see what's going on in real life outside of the media, but instead inside the lives of others.

Real Stories in Real Time

Real Time was an excellent read after fifty pages in.

When I first picked up the book, it didn't draw me in. There were many different characters with different stories and I wasn't sure who was who at first. However, after about the first fifty pages, it becomes clearer and you can really enjoy the story.

I also found the beginning to be a bit slow, but after the main plot begins to pick up, it becomes extremely interesting. The ending seemed rushed and unfinished, but I rather enjoyed the openness of it.

I think this is a good Young Adult Literature book. It's not the best, but it's definitely worth a read.

A Little One-Sided

Real Time is broken into five days and each day is subtitled by time, place and person. Minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour, Real Time follows the lives of a German teen, a Jewish Russian woman, a concentration camp survivor, a Palestinian teen, and others until all their lives converge in a single moment: a bus bomb explosion on the streets of Jerusalem. Real Time illustrates the difficulties and dangers of living and working in and around modern Israel for Israelis and Palestinians. Kass does a great job of giving the Israeli point of view, and shows the frustrating red tape a Palestinian must go through to work in Israel, but the importance of the Palestinian plight and the substance of their claims is under valued with the representation of the miss guided Palestinian teen. He thinks he will secure money for his family and gain recognition for himself by being a suicide bomber. There is no mention of "why" Palestinians use terrorist tactics against Israel. As much as Kass tries to give both sides of the story, Real Time falls a little short on the Palestinian side.

Reviewed by Jocelyn Pearce for TeensReadToo.com

REAL TIME is set in contemporary Israel, telling a story in real time, in which the lives of so many people come together, minute by minute. The narration switches back and forth between several different characters, telling one story but also many stories.

These characters include Thomas, a German boy who has come to Israel looking for answers about his family. Baruch, a Holocaust survivor who now works on a kibbutz. Vera, another kibbutz worker who is finding her Jewish roots and escaping her tragic past in Odessa. Sameh, a Palestinian working illegally at a diner. Saheh's friend Omar, a reporter, and many, many others. All of these people are different, looking for different things, but there is a moment when all of their lives come together, and it is a tragedy.

So much sadness, so much despair, is evident. Can there be healing and hope for those who survive this tragedy? Only time will tell.

This novel is a breathtaking story, but it's more than that. For one thing, it's a behind-the-scenes look at what is usually seen only on television. And yet it's more than behind-the-scenes; it's the secrets, thoughts, hopes, and dreams of every person involved. The way this story is told, in (as the title suggests) real time, switching back and forth between several narrators, is a part of what makes it amazing. If just one character told the story, so many aspects of it would not be seen. Pnina Kass Moed is a brilliant writer, and the story she tells in REAL TIME is equally brilliant.

IDK

Well i thought this book would have been better if there wasnt so much going on. It would have been better if they would have less stuff going on, and didnt stop going from one side to other.

A quick read with a powerful impact

Told in first person by eight people, including a Holocaust survivor, a young Russian woman who immigrants to Israel to escape personal tradegy, a German schoolboy on a mission, Palestinian youths for whom martyrdom is 'real' and others, Ms Kass takes the reader on an unforgetable journey from World War II to the present. The actual story covers just five days, but the unfolding of past events in the characters' lives makes 'REAL TIME' real to the reader.

No text was provided for this review.