The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

In Hitler's Germany during WWII, a boy who is member of Hitler's youth (as was required by law), and who is also a Mormon, illegally listens to the BBC radio, discovers that Hitler's regime is lying to Germans, distributes leaflets that tell the truth, and is imprisoned and executed as a traitor. This is his story, a piece of fiction based on a true story. It is written specifically for older children and young adults.

General rating:

1. Is it plausible? Yes. Although the author herself points out that this book is historical fiction, she wrote it after much research. The facts are true, but her portrayal of his thoughts are her conjection based on what she's learned about him.

2. Is thought provoking? Yes. Just like most of the WWII literature out there, this book inevitably invites the reader to compare his or her own convictions with that of this young man's. He was encouraged by friends and family members to think what he wanted certainly! But to speak only of what was acceptable. I think this is what most of us would choose to do--it seems logical and safe. But this boy took a great risk by showing, speaking and then acting upon his knowledge and his convictions. And he died because of it. Whenever I read books about persecution, racial cleansing, about genocides and holocausts, (another great one is "Left to Tell" by Immaculee Ilibagiza about the Rwandan holocaust) I find myself appalled and frightened at how quickly people are talked into spying on, reporting on, hating and even torturing and killing their neighbors and countrymen. Are we really followers to this degree? Are we really this bloodthirsty somewhere inside of ourselves? How can we so easily believe the lies of evil men and women? It's truly frightening and makes me determined to amplify that "voice" inside me, that voice that underscores truth and clarifies lies. How can so many people listen, swallow and then live such a horrendous lie like the one Hitler taught? Well, that question has been asked and answers have been given many times. Anyway, YES, this book is thought provoking.

3. Is it engaging? Yes.

4. Is it uplifting? Hm. Depends on your point of view. I found it disturbing--not uplifting. But it is uplifting to read about people who stood above the incorrect but popular dictates of their time. Helmuth Hubner was smart, peristent, brave and RIGHT. So that part's uplifting. I found the whole story horrifying, though, so it doesn't make the uplifting grade for me.

Language: none
Sex: none (although Helmuth is himself an illegitimate child and his mother's boyfriend does move in with the family)

My recommendation: If you like this kind of book, this one is a good one. I am so glad that Susan Campbell Bartoletii has told Helmuth's story. I don't like this kind of book at all... but I do think it's important to read these stories. I passionately dislike fiction that is about pain and suffering, but I honor the stories of REAL people who experienced extreme difficulties and chose to live honorably.