The Boy who Dared – The true story of a Hitler Youth, Susan Campbell Bartoletti

 

Helmuth is a 16 year old German boy, who does what every German should do to serve the fatherland. Hitler Youth, essays on nationalism and patriotism and a will to fight for his country. But when his big brother brings back an illegal shortwave radio, where Helmuth can listen to other radio stations than the German stations, his world starts to fall apart.

            Already, Helmuth has doubts about how the Nazis are treating the Jews. Already Helmuth begins to doubt Hitler’s greatness when rights are abolished, one by one. But it won’t matter. The Germans are advancing deep into Russia. 1941 will be a grand year for Germany! But when Helmuth sneaks out the shortwave radio, he realizes that maybe; just maybe, it’s not just the Jews who are in trouble.

            A very sad story about a boy who stood up for what he believed was right, and who was killed for telling the truth. A boy who stood up when it was a crime to do what was right. And even more shocking? This is based on a true story.