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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
A great story that allows readers to see how some choose to stand up and fight against the Nazis.
I read Lois Lowry's NUMBER THE STARS a long time ago, so I had forgotten her story takes place in Denmark. So does THE BOYS WHO CHALLENGED HITLER: KNUD PEDERSEN and the CHURCHILL CLUB. The only difference is that this is a true story about a group of teenage boys who began the Danish Resistance Movement when German troops stage a peaceful overthrow of the Danish Crown in 1940 as part of their offensive in Europe. While some Danes, didn't mind, the boys thought their country was cowardly, especially when they considered how the Norwegians were fighting. They heard of massacres and deportations in Norway and wondered how this could be right. The boys began meeting on a regular basis to plan ways they could simply sabotage the German troops stationed in Denmark. Using bicycles and operating in broad daylight, the group pestered the troops to the point that the Danish police were looking for the perpetrators. This is the story of some crazy and courageous effect the Churchill Club had on their countrymen. The story was quite readable, and quite appropriate for a YA audience. The boys in the book transform from innocent children to teenagers older than their age because of the events that take place. Still, there is humor and intrigue running through the story. The research is quite solid, and the book is based mainly on interviews with Knud Petersen, who founded the club with his brother, Jens. It is a perfect non-fiction piece to accompany NUMBER THE STARS or HITLER YOUTH by Susan Campbell Bartoletti. I could definitely see this book as a supplementary text in Global Studies, World History, Journalism. The author includes a selected bibliography for readers who want to learn more. It's an unbelievable story. Reading it has made me more aware of the world.
easily one of my favorite things my family has ever read for our little summer book club; it's fascinating.
I had never heard about this. It was especially nice to have the perspective of one of the “boys.”
I'm just not a non-fiction fan, as a rule.
But I can appreciate the story here, as well as how the author laid out the information. It was short enough that I didn't feel so overwhelmed, but not so short that I felt I was missing information.
But I can appreciate the story here, as well as how the author laid out the information. It was short enough that I didn't feel so overwhelmed, but not so short that I felt I was missing information.
This isn't the type of book I normally read, or would ever think to reach for. I had to read a YA non-fiction for grad school- and since my son had truly enjoyed this title last year in middle school, I decided to borrow his copy and jump in. The author was truly informed and the narrative flowed smoothly from event to event, covering the German occupation of Denmark, the formation of the club, to Knud and friends' eventual incarceration, to the end of the war and five years after. Hoose spent hundreds of hours interviewing Knud Pederson, the leader and the one who formed the club via in person interview and over a thousand emails. There were many pictures, maps and diagrams to convey the time period and geographical locations, and it helped with placement. I learned many things by reading this novel that I wasn't aware of before; like the occupation of Denmark by Germans during the war and what it was like, and the creation and activities of the Churchill Club. What those teens did for their country was incredibly brave, and I'm so glad that they were finally recognized for their efforts. I really enjoyed the inclusion of the epilogue and what happened to all the major players in their later lives.
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
This book should be taught in classrooms around the world. Kids need to know they can make a difference even if they aren't old enough to vote, drink, go to war, buy porn. This story is inspiring. And for those teachers who would argue they don't want to teach about violence in their classrooms, read the book, the Churchill Club made a vow that they would not use violence unless it absolutely was necessary. It never because necessary. These boys challenged one of the strongest regimes ever in history and they still went to school every day and took the time to have silent crushes on the girl they would never talk to. Teach kids to stand up for what is right, even if you are scared it might backfire on you. If you teach the story the right way than students will learn what it means to fight for freedom with the tools they've got...their minds.
Having just taught an awesome group of teenagers about WWII, I loved this story of Danish teenagers fighting for freedom against their German occupiers. The storytelling itself was a little slow for such an exciting and inspiring story, but it was a great read anyway.
What a fun book - especially for 5th - 8th graders wanting to get a taste of what it was like to be in WW2 Nazi-occupied Denmark AND wanting to
DO something. Fight back. True story, BTW.
DO something. Fight back. True story, BTW.