Berlin boxing Club

Berlin Boxing Club by Robert Sharenow is about a boy named Karl who gets the chance to have  boxing lessons from a famous fighter.  The book takes place in the 1930's-40's in Germany.  Karl gets bullied a lot so he has the chance to be able to fight back.  The lessons really fulfill him as a person.  

In Berlin Boxing Club, there are many complex ideas that are happening.  One example is that Karl and Greta are forced to have a secret relationship because they are different religions.  This could be considered complex because Karl has to find a way to stay the person he is even with all the changes in his life, Greta being a big one.  Karl has to learn to balance boxing, his family, school, hiding his religion, and his girlfriend.  I noticed that at certain points in the book, you could tell that he is struggling but uses people to overcome his sturggles.

First he uses his little sister who is nicknamed Winzig.  Even though Winzig is younger Karl and her really have a strong connection and they are always there to stand up for each other.

Second, he relies on the boxing club and Max.  He feels that if he learns to fight he will never get beat up again and he can prove to his dad that he is not a disgrace and it wasn't a mistake to take the boxing lessons over the money.

Finally Karl relies on his family.  He always thinks to himself "no matter how hard my day is, I can always come back to my house with my sister and my parents and sometimes my uncle."  But what Karl doesn't realize is that even though his parents try to cover it up as much as possible, they are still poor.  Karl knows this but he chooses not to think about it.  But he's always relying on the fact that  that when he comes home he is going to have a house and everything will be good.  But what would happen if the governemtns takes his house away because of there religion or they cannot afford to pay rent?

Another complex idea is how Karl always contradicts himself while he is fighting or before a fight.  He always compares his lanky body to the other guys' muscular bodies. But Karl underestimates himself even though he wins most of his fights.  When I was reading this book I was thinking, If Karl doesn't believe in himself, who does?  Then I realize that many people believe in Karl and rely on him.  His sister, Greta, Herr Koplek, and Neblig.