Genre: Historical Fiction
Honors: NCTE Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts
Review: This powerful and educational account of a Hitler Youth will inspire teen readers. The novel is based on a real boy named Helmuth that lived in Hamburg during the Nazi regime and become recruited into the Hitler Youth Organization. In a time when speaking or even learning about the truth could lead to loss of civil rights or even death, Helmuth risks his life to try to empower the people. Through Helmuth’s courageous actions readers will understand the true meaning of sacrifice and valor. The facts and pictures in this novel add to the realism and provide images to connect and enhance this dramatic story.
Opinion: I highly recommend this book to young adults and adult readers. The writer is able to bring Helmuth's story to life and explain who he was and why his contribution was so important. The story shows how young boys were pressured to be part of the Hitler Youth and that not all of them believed in the regime, but few dared to speak out.
Ideas: Combine this novel with the nonfiction, young adult book, "Hitler Youth: Growing up in Hitler's Shadow" for a more complete understanding of the Hitler Youth. The real-life Helmuth is featured in this book and so are some of the other characters in the fiction novel.
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