The Boy Who Dared Hardcover – February 1, 2008

Good book. And best price on Amazon with fast shipping.

What an incredible book! I can’t believe I had never heard of this true, powerful story. My 11 year old daughter read it first, then passed it along to my 13-year-old son, and then they both told me that I HAD to read it. It was a quick, inspiring read. We all absolutely loved it!!

We are homeschoolers with a Christian worldview. I bought this book for my son (14) while we are studying WWII and specifically because it is about a boy's experience in Nazi Germany. So many books about WWII are just about girls or Jews and I was looking for another perspective. FWIW, we are also reading the Boy in the Striped Pajamas and will reference the Diary of Anne Frank and The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom.The things I like about this book is the "fleshing out" of how the Nazi's spread their propaganda and lies. I appreciate the main character's continual questioning of the things he experiences. I have made copious notes on the factual information behind his experiences. I appreciate how he struggles with his faith and how it stands contrary to so much of what is going on.If you are a Christian Homeschooler, you need to know that Helmuth and his family is Mormon and he refers to articles of the Mormon faith throughout the book. While I know some will argue that Mormonism and Christianity are the same, one merely needs to read the 13 articles of the Mormon faith to differentiate this. That said, the articles of faith referenced contradict Nazi propaganda and further the plot of the book as the basis for why this boy turns "traitor" as defined by the Gestapo. A conversation with your student regarding the articles of faith discussed would be advantageous and this is not detrimental to the book...although some references were confusing and are worth fact checking and discussing. The author herself is not Mormon, and because this is a true story and his faith was foundational to his life, it is an important part of the book and rightly included in the telling of the story.Would I recommend this book to other homeschoolers studying WWII? Yes. I feel it is a great way to understand the propaganda machine of the Nazi's and the fear it incited in those who might have disagreed, forcing too many into silence as millions of Jews were slaughtered.

I really enjoy reading stories based on true life experiences. Though the end is evident from the beginning, you are taken through the life and challenges of a young German youth who wants to know and share the truth about how the Nazi's are misleading and beguiling the German people as to what is actually happening in WWII. This teenager refuses to succumb to the lies about the Jewish people and to the required behavior of the "Nazi Youth" of which he is required to become a member. He values his immediate family and his true friends. Knowing his own inevitable fate he does everything he can to save his two dear friends...who later help to tell his story. It is an excellent story to teach todays youth to think for themselves and cherish in their heart and their life what they know to be good and true and right. Not to be beguiled by the gang mentality and see that no matter what, to stand for righteousness.

This was a little slow for me. I have studied the Holocaust at length, which means I have read some pretty intense books. The subject matter pulled me in immediately. How could one child be born with such an inate sense of right and wrong. It has to be rarer than being born with the ability of a Mickey Mantle (once in ten years). But the author forgot the spice in this book. She used words to tell us how Helmuth feels,when she should have used the words to show us Helmuths emotions. You can write from a child eye (ie. To Kill A Mockingbird)and still tell the story in a way that adults enjoy. I can only hope kids will enjoy it the way it is. It's such an important story for them to know. We teach children to obey, be respectful of authority, honor and love their country and its leaders. How do we give them the decerning power to spot an evil idea from an adult?

Helmuth Hubener is an ordinary young man caught up at first in the National emotional fervor for the Fuhrer. But when his eyes are opened to the horrors he sees going on around him, will he have the courage to take a stand?Compelling and powerful, this is "a novel based on the true story of a Hitler Youth." In reading it, don't be surprised to find yourself pulled into Helmuth's life. I couldn't put it down, even though I knew (having read another account of Hubener) what ultimately happens.And don't forget to read the author's notes in the book.(Read this book in conjunction with Bartoletti's  Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow . Combined they make a powerful history lesson regarding life for Germany's youth during Hitler's reign.)

My daughter needed this book for her summer reading list. Only could find it here. Received it next day (yes I am a prime member). It is a really good book and a true story. It really made my daughter remember how good she really has it. We have been to the Holocaust Museum in our hometown and DC, but she said this made it actually sink into her.

I started reading this book out loud to my 8th grader as a joke...he left for soccer practice and I finished the book. It was for his English class. I could not put it down. I finished it in two hours. The characters draw you into the struggle of being in Nazi Germany and watching your neighborhood be torn apart. The bravery that takes place in this book is incredible.

My 14yo, who speaks English as a second language and loves to learn and read about WWII had been wondering about what German civils and soldiers thought about the war, and if they ever noticed about all the abuse, and how they got to believe that what Hitler was doing was the right thing. I heard about this book and I got it for my teenager, I also read it my self. Us being Mormons and finding out the main character was a Mormon too was a plus. My son felt identified, and made him think more about the morals on wars. I like a book that makes my son think more deeply on what's right and wrong.I will have my 11yo read it too. Although it speaks about torture, war, suicide, it does it in a way that doesn't sound too violent or too graphic. I would recommend it for 10 year olds and older.

I enjoyed this book!

not for young kids, 13+

Ok

I liked it.