Sydney taylor award-winning novel is loosely inspired by the true story of boxer Max Schmeling's experiences following kristallnacht. Karl stern has never thought of himself as a jew. But the bullies at his school in naz...Sydney taylor award-winning novel is loosely inspired by the true story of boxer Max Schmeling's experiences following kristallnacht. Karl stern has never thought of himself as a jew. But the bullies at his school in nazi-era berlin, don't care that karl has never been in a synagogue or that his family doesn't practice religion.