The Boy Who Dared

The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Length: 162 pages (not including afterward)

Format: Paperback
Price: Got for free at a garage sale
Author Website: www.scbartoletti.com (photo credit)

Basic Premise: This is the true story of Helmuth Hubener, a young boy who grew up with Hitler and his rise to power in Germany.  Despite the intensely loyal roots of his German family, his slanted education, and the propoganda-filled news, Helmuth begins to recognize the truth about what's really going on in Germany and determines to do something about it.

My Take: 8 out of 10 (scale here)
I have a small obsession with YAL Holocaust literature.  Though I have only reviewed one on this blog, over the last ten years I have read just about every one I have been able to get my hands on.  This one, while not directly dealing with the Holocaust, was a nice, alternate perspective on German society and culture during the war.  Helmuth was a noble protagonist with deep conviction stemming from his Mormon faith (which was interesting - I had no idea, but it turns out the Mormon church has been active in Germany since the mid-1800s) and his strong sense of integrity and courage.  As with many Holocaust novels, there is an afterward by the author explaining more about the true story and the events which followed, which are fascinating.  I don't wonder why my kids like this book.