Rating: 
Summary: Easy to read, hard to comprehend
Review: A quick read but boy was it gut-wrenching. I think this is good to help us understand what young people go through anywhere there is genocide going on. I suspect Vahan has a lot in common with those in Bosnia, Cambodia, Poland and Rwanda.It has been a long time since a book has brought me to tears. This one did it at the end.
Rating: 
Summary: it's fiction?... well partly... it seems totally real!
Review: An extra credit reading assignment for my freshman English H class brought me to this book that is currently up for some award and our teacher wants us to read all the books and vote for our favorite at the end of the year... 10 books in all...
look at my reviews to see more of these books and what I thought of them! This book was so horrific and terrible that at first I thought it was just really well written fiction, but no it was a real story... based on the aithor's great uncle or something.. it took him over 10 years to research and write this book and you can tell! It is probably the best historical book ive ever read! it taught me about the Armenian Holocaust and how it helped inspire Hitler to start the jewish holocaust we all know about. "Nobody remembered the Armenians" he once said. I had never heard of them, but now I know.. it is a great book and you really want him to get back with that one girl he met while he was "deaf!!!"
it is amazing that he survived all that he did and now i know that the Turks, that come from that country named after a bird we eat for thanksgiving, were mean and heartless during this time... the worst part was the soldiers and the boys new friend... I cried at that part and other parts!! I suggest reading it while you are alone so you can cry your eyes out without crying in the middle of school or something :0 great book! I would highly reccomend it for anyone over like 12 or 13... its a little gory and there is some stuff in there a kid just shouldnt read but anyone over 12 will love this book! i did!
Rating:
Summary: Exceptional
Review: As a docent at the Museum of Tolerance I cannot recommend this book highly enough, ESPECIALLY in the wake of 9-11. The book is beautifully written so that the reader does not want to put it down. It is the first-hand narratives that the deniers will never be able to get passed. I have a feeling the gentleperson with the one-star rating has not even purchased the book. If you have, I'd be more than happy to purchase it back from you.
Rating:
Summary: Heart-wrenching and beautifully written
Review: Bagdasarian's first novel, based on his great uncle's childhood, is one of the best books I've read this year. The story is not only compelling, but the language the author uses is exquisite, as he describes the three years an Armenian boy survived on his own during the holocaust carried out by the Turks. The book opens with the famous 1939 quote from Adolph Hitler: "Who today remembers the Armenians?" After reading Bagdasarians books, we will all remember.
Rating:
Summary: Read this book and be aware of the evil-doers of the world
Review: Christian Armenian Genocide was the first act of terrorism of the 20th Century by Muslim Ottoman Empire. Read it and you will just be amazed of the cruelty of the Muslim fundamentalist. A must read especially after the Sept 11th.
Rating: 
Summary: Incomplete
Review: Definitely not for younger readers, this memorable tale lacks the depth that would be expected. Bagdasarian tells of the horrors and tragedy of the Armenian Genocide, but fails to provide much historical background. It is of course important to know of the humiliation and despair, but readers would have been better served if we knew what was going on with the soldiers/armies/nations who were involved in the conflict. Instead we only learn of Vartan's personal hardships. Though important, without historical information the last 100 pages or so become tedious. I have read many memoirs written by survivors of the Shoah in order to learn about the horrors suffered by the peoples of each region. Bagdasarian's story is more generically horrific. It therefore lacks a completeness that is necessary to provide a reason to choose this novel over an historical account of the genocide or more poignant memoirs by holocaust survivors.
Rating:
Summary: The best novel I've ever read
Review: Every chapter of Forgotten Fire ended leaving me wanting to read more. Perhaps most intriguing and captivating aspect of book is that it is a true story. The author was inspired to write this book based on the real life experiences of his great uncle in Armenia. It is a story that I think all high schoolers should be required to read, because of its portrayal and personalization of the horrors of war and genocide and true human suffering.
By the end of World War I, 1.5 million Armenians--75% of the Armenian population of Turkey--had been massacred by their government. This is the true story of one of the survivors; it is a story you will never forget.
Rating:
Summary: Forgotten Fire
Review: Forgotten Fire, a tragic story of one orphans fight for survival during the Armenian holocaust, was a satisfactory book. It describes very vividly the hardships that the Armenians encountered through the eyes of Vahan, an Armenian son of a government official. Forgotten Fire is a historical novel, and my taste consists of more fantasy-based books. I usually dislike books that involve history and prefer modernized novels. For this reason, at first, I did not find Forgotten Fire an appealing book. However, my thoughts of previous dislike for history novels were denied as I was pulled into it despite myself. Forgotten Fire was filled with details that were helpful in creating a mental image to set the scene, and the scenarios that Vahan was placed into left me unable to put the book down. The author's writing style also played a role in attracting me to the book. Adam Bagdasarian has an up-beat method of writing, which keeps the story going. Bagdasarian, in a combination of detail and speed, allows Vahan to continue his journey even though he is repeatedly under stress. In general, Forgotten Fire is an informative, thorough, and well-written book that captures the attention of all, including the unwilling.
Rating:
Summary: Teachers, assign this book!
Review: I am not going to waste anyone's time here and re-summarize the book. What I will say is this. I am a 10th grade teacher and I assigned this book for the first time this year to my 10th grade World History students. The student reaction to this book was unbelievable. Repeat: I forced students to read a book for a class and they loved it. Actually it was quite unbelievable, both before, during, and after class the students were discussing, and arguing with each other over the book. I even caught kids reading the book in the lunchroom and cafeteria, and study hall! As a teacher my only criticism of the book is that it does not really explain why the Turks targeted the Armenians. To me that was the one thing this book needed but did not really have. But the best way to sum up how thought provoking and good this book is is a quote from a 70-80 student who told me "I normally do not like to read, but I loved this book." A forgotten piece of history that needs to be read, and students will actually like!
Rating:
Summary: A must read for young readers
Review: I could not put this book down. I read it within a day. I cried, I wondered, and I was just amazed at how much can a little boy handle? This book is unique, because it tells the story from a young boy's point of view which is just unbelievable. There are still genocides occuring in different part of the world and I can not bear to think how many kids are out there going through it.
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