The Boy Who Dared By: Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Source

• Title: The Boy Who Dared
• Author: Susan Campbell Bartoletti
• Publisher: Scholastic
• Publication Date:  February 1, 2008
• Pages: 202
• Genre: Historical Fiction
• Recommended Age(s): 13+
• First Read: 2015
• Source: Library 
• Rating: 4.0 / 5.0 stars

I was so excited when I found out this book existed because 1) I had read many books by Bartoletti before and have always enjoyed them and 2) the story seemed extremely intriguing because it was told from a viewpoint that not many books delve into. 

Helmut Hubner is a young German boy during the outbreak of World War II. At first he goes along with what everyone else is doing, including joining the compulsory Hitler Youth. However, after listening to multiple illegal BBC broadcasts via his illegal radio, Helmut starts to realize that the German government is lying to the citizens. And what Helmut does next could mean the end of his life. 

This book is based on the true story of Helmut Hubner and is told through a series of flashbacks, but I didn't mind the format at all. It was a little confusing at times to switch perspectives but that was more my fault than the author's; I was simply too caught up in the present story to wrench myself away from it. 

I liked this book because it shows a perspective that is not often portrayed in books, fiction or otherwise. The world often forgets the plight of the average German citizen, many of whom did not approve of Hitler's actions either, and this book gives them a voice. The best-and worst-part of this book was certainly reminding yourself that this was based on a true story and Helmut did do all of these things. One of the great marks of a writer is when you have to remind yourself what is real and what is not, and this book certainly did it for me.

Bartoletti includes additional historical information and this in itself is extremely interesting. And if you don't want to read that (which I wouldn't know why) you can still pick this book up for its story because it is quite engaging.