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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
I read this because it was on a book list. I was not sure I was going to like it, since I have read a lot of WWII books. It was a great read. It meant a lot to me because a college friend's father was part of the resistance movement in Denmark at this time. It made the book even more meaningful knowing someone who was part of this. He was not one of the young men in the book, but knowing him made it that much more interesting! I am so glad the author was able to get the information from one of the young men involved!
A really cool way to see and understand history. The unique point of view of a child during the German occupation of Denmark is engaging and deep. I highly recommend this to anyone, as it kept me (a non-historical type) engaged throughout.
adventurous
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
Hoose is, as always, on top of the narrative nonfiction game with this title. Thrilling indeed, and inspiring for young readers surely, but I was also impressed with the way he integrated the backstory of his research and his interviews with the real Knud. Not just a fascinating slice of WWII history that most young readers haven't encountered, but a great teaching tool for budding historians.
2019 PopSugar Reading Challege: a book with "pop" "sugar" or "challenge" in the title.
I've never read a non-fiction YA book before and I think this was a good one to start with. Since it is YA, the writing is a little more simplistic, but it also makes it so much easier to get through than 99% of the other non-fiction I have read.
I read (& watch) a LOT about WWII, but surprisingly, this was not a story I was familiar with. I liked that the author actually sat down with the main "character" and then used his actual words to tell the story or explain what was happening at the time or how people were feeling. It was interesting that at times, the boys in the Churchill & RAF clubs just tried to act like they were 'boys being boys' (getting info mischief instead of being part of a resistance) and at other times, they were instrumental in getting the resistance going.
It's also stories like this that remind you that sometimes it's the youth of the world that has to make a stand and "do something" when it's obvious that the adults who should be doing something, have left the room.
I've never read a non-fiction YA book before and I think this was a good one to start with. Since it is YA, the writing is a little more simplistic, but it also makes it so much easier to get through than 99% of the other non-fiction I have read.
I read (& watch) a LOT about WWII, but surprisingly, this was not a story I was familiar with. I liked that the author actually sat down with the main "character" and then used his actual words to tell the story or explain what was happening at the time or how people were feeling. It was interesting that at times, the boys in the Churchill & RAF clubs just tried to act like they were 'boys being boys' (getting info mischief instead of being part of a resistance) and at other times, they were instrumental in getting the resistance going.
It's also stories like this that remind you that sometimes it's the youth of the world that has to make a stand and "do something" when it's obvious that the adults who should be doing something, have left the room.
In Spring 1940, German forces began occupying Denmark. While the government accepted the occupation, a group of teen boys did not. They formed the secret Churchill Club and began missions to sabotage and demolish German supplies. They were eventually captured and arrested but their actions inspired adults to resist.
This was really interesting. The author actually interviewed Knud Pederson. I do wish that I would have read the physical copy instead of listening to the audiobook. It would have been nice to see the sidebars, maps, and photos.
This was really interesting. The author actually interviewed Knud Pederson. I do wish that I would have read the physical copy instead of listening to the audiobook. It would have been nice to see the sidebars, maps, and photos.
Net Galley ARC
The Boys Who Challenged Hitler is the thrilling story of a group of boys who resisted the occupation of Denmark by the Germans during World War II. Phillip Hoose keeps raising the bar for non-fiction titles for young a adults.
The Boys Who Challenged Hitler is the thrilling story of a group of boys who resisted the occupation of Denmark by the Germans during World War II. Phillip Hoose keeps raising the bar for non-fiction titles for young a adults.
Germany invaded Denmark on April 9, 1940 in a bloodless occupation. The Denmark government gave in to the German invasion in order to save the population. However, not all citizens of Denmark were happy to be an occupied nation. Knud Pederson was just a young teen when the invasion occurred and he and his friends started the first organized resistance. They called themselves the RAF club and caused trouble for German forces in Odense. When the Pederson family moved to Aalborg Knud and his brother continued their activities with the Churchill Club. They stole weapons, destroyed German materials, and caused as much disruption as possible. Their activities lasted until the boys were arrested by the authorities in May 1942. They all spent years in jail, but were eventually released. The courage of the Churchill Club members inspired an organized Danish resistance that harried the Germans until the end of the war and resulted in the rescue of the entire Danish Jew population.
Hoose was able to interview Knud Pederson extensively for this book. He was able to meet with Pederson in Denmark for a period of a couple weeks and share emails for clarification after the visit. The personal accounts are enhanced by extensive research including memoirs written by some of the Churchill Club members. It is amazing what a group of teenage boys were able to accomplish while all the adults around them did nothing. The photographs of the boys illustrate just how young they all were. I have been fascinated by the stories of the Danish resistance ever since I read [b:Number the Stars|47281|Number the Stars|Lois Lowry|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1370917812s/47281.jpg|2677305] and [b:Darkness Over Denmark: The Danish Resistance and the Rescue of the Jews|1456330|Darkness Over Denmark The Danish Resistance and the Rescue of the Jews|Ellen Levine|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348200801s/1456330.jpg|1447109]. I might have enjoyed those books a bit more, but Knud Pederson's story adds a personal touch that the others did not have.
Hoose was able to interview Knud Pederson extensively for this book. He was able to meet with Pederson in Denmark for a period of a couple weeks and share emails for clarification after the visit. The personal accounts are enhanced by extensive research including memoirs written by some of the Churchill Club members. It is amazing what a group of teenage boys were able to accomplish while all the adults around them did nothing. The photographs of the boys illustrate just how young they all were. I have been fascinated by the stories of the Danish resistance ever since I read [b:Number the Stars|47281|Number the Stars|Lois Lowry|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1370917812s/47281.jpg|2677305] and [b:Darkness Over Denmark: The Danish Resistance and the Rescue of the Jews|1456330|Darkness Over Denmark The Danish Resistance and the Rescue of the Jews|Ellen Levine|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348200801s/1456330.jpg|1447109]. I might have enjoyed those books a bit more, but Knud Pederson's story adds a personal touch that the others did not have.
Interesting true story about a few brave teenagers in Denmark during WWII who carried out plans to resist the Germans.