The Boy Who Dared

by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

When 16-year-old Helmuth Hübener listens to the BBC news on an illegal short-wave radio, he quickly discovers Germany is lying to the people. But when he tries to expose the truth with leaflets, he's tried for treason. Sentenced to death and waiting in a jail cell, Helmuth's story emerges in a series of flashbacks that show his growth from a naive child caught up in the patriotism of the times, to a sensitive and mature young man who thinks for himself.

A youth in Nazi Germany tells the truth about Hitler.

Bartoletti has taken one episode from her Newbery Honor Book, Hitler Youth, and fleshed it out into a full novel.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Holocaust, Historical, Fiction, World War II, War

202 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2008

About the author

Susan Campbell Bartoletti is an American writer of children's literature. She was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, but eventually the family ended up in a small town in northeastern Pennsylvania. Susan started as an English teacher and inspired many students before deciding to pursue writing in earnest. She sold her first short story in 1989. Three years later in 1992 she published her first picture book, Silver at Night. She held a rigid routine, awaking early in the morning in order to write before she left to teach. In 1997 she turned to writing full time. Susan has since returned to inspiring future writers. She teaches writing classes at a number of MA and MFA programs, among them Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky, and Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia. Additionally she leads workshops offered through the Highlights Foundation.

Reviews

[jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

a simple, yet powerful story about the courage it takes to stand up for what is right.

helmuth hübener is one of the unsung heroes of the nazi resistance during WWII, so what a triumph that his friends and brothers survived him to tell his story. as the youngest person to be tried and executed by the german courts, he is an example of bravery and dignity.

definitely a great book to give to younger ones who are interested in learning about WWII!

↠ 4 stars

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story resonates so much because it's based on a true account of a young man named Helmuth during World War II. He is a patriotic German and can see why Hitler could be good for the country. Just like many others he gets sweeped up with the hysteria of a new hope for the broken down Germany. Slowly but surely though he comes to see what the whole regime is really about.

The book flips perspectives from the present to memories Helmuth has leading up to why he is in jail. The voice of the narrator is consistent and gives you a good insight of how Helmuth changes from a little boy to a young adult who can think for himself. This storyline had a different take on this time period. There are numerous books written about this time, but I have never encountered one that had the protagonist belong to the Hitler Youth. The group intrigues him at first and you can easily see why. Hitler puts them on pedalstool, saying they are the new generation needed for the country with shiny boots and sharp uniforms to seal the deal. Through all the dazzle he comes to learn that he really can't go by with doing nothing about the wrongness of what is happening around him.

The newest piece of information that I got from this book was that there was actually LDS members in Germany in the 1930s, which I wasn't aware of till now. His faith plays a big part in the story and ultimately will be the major reason why he wants to fight the injustice he sees.

I appreciated that the author stuck close to the actual events but elaborated what she thought he would have thought or felt. Big kudo points for not inserting a love interest just for the sake of making the story interesting. Towards the back of the book the author provides pictures of Helmuth himself and of his brother and two good friends. It made the words that much more believable when I could see the real faces of these people.

After I finished reading it I was reminded about why I loved historical fiction (my first favorite genre) so much. It brings you stories like this. Filled with truth. Though some thought he was foolish to try to do something about it he kept to his beliefs. I personally think he was brave because it takes much more strength to do what you believe is right than to sit by and just watch it happen.

[Stacey Lucky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am very thankful to this author for bringing this hero out in the open. I know some people say they are tired of books about WWII but I think there could never be enough..millions of innocent people and heros lost their lives and I want to read all of their storys ..they need to be heard. Helmuth is my new hero at only 17 he stood up and did something to help the innocent. The only thing I dont like is when shes talking about him being scared to die while he was waiting in his cell I think she got that wrong,I think he was very brave and accepted his death because he knew he didnt live like a coward like the rest of Germany.

[Kaytlin Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good grief... that was sad. But also...wow...Helmuth was so brave to take a stand like he did.

Characters:
This story follows the life of Helmuth Hubner. It's told in flashback form and is definitely a different reading experience, but the story is so powerful.
Helmuth was brave and smart. He saw through what the Nazis were doing, and he wanted to do something about it.

Themes:
Standing up for what you believe even when no one else does. Even when death could be the consequence. Yes, be careful... but we have to be brave enough to make a stand when the times call for it.
Many might call Helmuth foolish... but he was brave enough to take a stand against the Nazis. Brave enough to do something when everyone else remained silent.

Language:
N/A

Romance:
N/A

Overall:
This is a story everyone should know. It does a good job portraying how proganda starts. How Hilter got so much power...why people believed him. Then, how many of them realized what a monster he was after it was too late to do anything.
This story is heartbreaking but also inspiring. Helmuth did the impossible for his time. He paid the ultimate price for it, but I like to think that his actions helped some people see the truth. That maybe he gave people hope.

Recommend ages 12+ just because the story is heady, and so sad...but also inspiring.

Loved the quote, "They tell us to hate and call it love."
Such an insightful quote. So short but to the point. Never let your government tell you what to think. We have to stand up for our rights and be willing to fight for them.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My recommendation with this book, is read the author's note first. Then read Helmut`s story. I believe it would have been better placed as an introduction, making events and Helmut all the more tangible, as you read and witness this young man's story.

And witness, as we all should.

[Jennifer J Knorr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never read a book like this . That being said its wasnt bad a quick read . I dont know much about that time period, so it was good but different.

[Art · Rating 5 out of 5]

What does “Fahrenheit 451”, “The Gulag Archipelago”, “1984”, and
“The Hiding Place” or perhaps you have heard of these people: Anne Frank,
Corrie Ten Boom, Dietrich Bonnehoffer, and Martin Niemoeller have in common w/”The Boy Who Dared”. These books and people, all deal with the
Theme of good people in controlling societies or government taking a
stand against evil. Ms. Bartoletti brings to life the true story of a young Hitler youth who dared to take a stand against the NAZI Government of Germany.
The Movie “Valkerie” has awakened to us that there was a resistance movement against Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Government. Helmuth Guddat Hubener starts out believing in everything that Herr Hitler offered the German people and that was work, food and the sense of pride in everything German. However Helmuth begins to question why Jews were a enemy of Germany, that authors and books he had read were now “verboten” and that he is being bullied by the older boys in the Hitler Youth group in which he first enjoy the outings and camping trips.
Truly Susan Campbell Bartoletti has done her research, going and talking to Helmuth’s older brother, his friends and those who actually knew the young man, both in and out of the Hitler Youth league.
“The Boy Who Dared” will cause one to pause about just accepting the “status quo” and that one’s beliefs are important to what makes each one of us unique.

[Isaac · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a pretty good book. I feel like it the beginning was a little slow but after that it was really engaging.

[Beth Given · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, German teenager Helmuth Hubner had been taught to "let [others] worship how, when, and what they may." When the Nazi government begins labeling Jews as the enemy, Helmuth feels uneasy; aren't the Jews loved by God, as well? His Church also teaches that it's members should "obey, honor, and sustain the law," but what if Helmuth doesn't agree with the Nazi propaganda? Then he discovers the truth via an illegal BBC broadcast: the Nazis were lying to the German people. In an act of defiance and bravery, he types and distributes leaflets for the citizens of Hamburg, so they might wake up to the truth, also.

This book was published quite awhile ago, but I found some of the issues so timely; it seems it's always a good time to learn lessons from history. This book is short (it's written for middle grade) and excellent on audio.

[Juan Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Spoiler Alert***
A young boy is getting executed, the punishment he doesn't know when. This book is one of the those books that you can't keep your eyes off because you never know what is going to happen. I personally don't like reading books, this book made me rethink that. The genre of this book is history, so if you don't like history you should still read this book. This is one of my favorite books and hopefully you choose to read it too.

This book is a true story about a young boy during the the holocaust times. Hitler has become the chancellor in Germany and has caused conflict with other countries. Chancellor is a senior state or a legal official. Helmuth is very brave and stands up for everything he knows is wrong but is constantly hold back for showing his true feelings about Hitler and the Nazis.

The book takes place in Germany where Helmuth lives with his family. Helmuth has been taken by the Nazis for standing against them and Hitler. The climax is when he hears his cell door open and thinking if he is going to be freed because of his family letters. He is trialed on August 11. He is released from death row prison but sadly won’t see his family because he is going to be executed by a guillotine. Helmuth is the youngest person ever to be sentenced to death by the Nazis at the age of 17. I think the author wrote this book to inform and to admire Helmuth Hubener.

The story begins when Helmuth is in his cell. In the text it said, “In a cell on the ground floor, the light shifts dark shapes into a small stool, a scrawny table, and a bed made of wooden boards with no mattress or blanket” In the book the text font changes. This changes to show whether he is in his cell or when he is having a flashback. In the book it talks about how he is in the cell and then when the text changes it starts talking about his flashbacks.

This book is one of my favorites because I am interested in the holocaust along with wars and other stuff like that. What I liked about the book is mostly the character. He is brave and stands up for what he thinks is wrong. He is a very inspirational person to look up to. I also like that it is placed around world war 2 one of my favorite wars to learn from besides the American Revolution.I also liked that the author told the story in flashbacks unlike most books. Most books are written when it actually happens but this book was written using memories.

I gave this book a four out of five because it was very amusing while reading and anxious for what was going to happen. I recommend this book to those who are interested in history. Overall this book was amazing to read. It brought me in at the very beginning. This book was awesome!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story telling style was unusual and took awhile for me to get into the book--that must not have been too much of a hinderance because I read it in one sitting. Sad but beautiful.

[Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning is kind of slow, but the end is pretty good, because it gives you closure. It was confusing in the beginning, but once you got use to her style of writing it becomes easier to read and follow.

[Loren Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Let that be the first word of this review. Wow. This was absolutely beautiful - every moment of it was gripping and gut-wrenching. It's the type of story that has you on the edge of your seat at all times, constantly wondering what the outcome will be. I didn't want the story to end because I dreaded what the ending may bring, it was so well written and researched. The author's note was fantastic to listen to, giving a lot of detail about the research process and the true history behind the story. I found myself subconsciously shaking my head in many parts - not because the novel was bad but because I got to thinking about the realness of this story, the brutality faced by so many, the senseless loss of millions of lives, the barbarous ideology posed by a man so cunning that an entire nation was willing to follow him. Stories like these deserve to be told - where someone stands up for what is right, despite what the consequences may be - and authors like Susan Campbell Bartoletti should be commended for bringing them to life for people like me to experience. I now know that Helmut was a real person and he put everything on the line to bring the truth to the German people about the propaganda that was being shoved in their faces by the Nazis. He was a true war hero - along with the many thousands of people who aposed Hitler's regime and paid for their beliefs with their lives. This book was worth every moment of my time and more. I would give it more than 5 stars, if I could.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Been planning to read this for a while and finally did. It is set in Hamburg, Germany during WWII. This book shows that not every German citizen was for the war even though it allowed more jobs and a better economy and some did not know what was going on because of all the laws restricting outside information. We see all of this through a boy, called Helumth.

Helmuth was a real boy growing up in WWII. And it not that the author made Helmuth such a believable character, he actually seemed real. He is real. The author based her story off of his life, though she can't know exactly how everything went down, she did her research. Bartoletti kept all his family members, his religion (Mormon), and his time in jail as accurate as possible.

The writing was good (no chapters though). The tone of this book was somber. Even though Helmuth was a boy he was very observant. The more he learns, the more anger he feels, the more his frustration builds. His anger just keeps escalating. Though this book is somber it is not as depressing as some other WWII books (i.e. The Book Thief or All Quiet on the Western Front). I can take anger and frustration over depression and sympathy. I accredit it for doing such a great job at being realist, since it is a real story.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good YA book based on a true story of a German boy who spoke out against Nazi propaganda, was branded a traitor and was executed. The author did a nice job of showing what it was like living in Germany in the 1930s while Hitler was coming to power. The book is a good introduction to World War II, and I think it would be useful reading for history students.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this to two of my classes during our historical fiction unit. What a whirlwind of emotions felt for Helmuth. Crazy that this was based on a true story. I enjoyed how the historical information was woven throughout the story, as well as the author switching back and forth between past and present for Helmuth. It was nice to get his thoughts as he sat in his prison cell. Great read!

[Marcia Wingerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is based on the true story of Helmuth Guddat Hübener, a teenager in Germany during WWII. I’d recommend it for 5th grade up.

[Jonathan Oldland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very inspiring and sad book about WW2,but I really enjoyed it and I hope you do to.

[Landyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really showed me what it was like in the holocaust time. I really think this book is very great for all ages.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Quite often most books I read in relation to WWII deal with the perspective of those that suffered from the atrocities of the concentration camps; however, it completely blew my mind to have to opportunity to read something from the perspective of the Hitler Youth. I've studied this group in various collegiate courses and from watching different documentaries, but this truly provided me with a insightful experience.

It was not only rewarding to gain a different perspective from those living in Germany at this time, but it was also rewarding to see and understand the power of the human spirit. Our main protagonist taught me that despite the situation or the people involved everyone deserves insight to the truth and only the truly courageous are willing to step up and do what's right to privy everyone with the factual information. I never realized until finishing this book that in situations like those faced by Germany the truth came with a price, a price so grave that so very few were willing to pay. He possessed the courage, faith, and determination that so very few of us encounter.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a strong and powerful message! I only decided to read this book because my middle school age son was assigned to read it for class. He truly is not a reader. Well, as much as I might wish he was. But I have to say I was very impressed with his depth of understanding and his perceptions of right and wrong upon discussing this book. The story was excellent in keeping a young man who as I said before isn't necessarily a reader but one who loves history engaged. I believe it helped his grade and his comprehension that both his father and I took the time to read the story too. I, for one, am so happy I did!

*Note for adult readers- The book is very definitely aimed at middle school or early high school readers. However, I did not find that fact distracting. The themes and language used though appropriate for younger readers was not so dialed down that it hurt the story. I think anyone who loves Historical Fiction especially WWII fiction would enjoy this book.

[Fluxbrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helmuth, a member of Hitler Youth who disagreed with Nazi politics and policies, wrote and distributed pamphlets calling for resistance. For this he is imprisoned and executed, and the story is told in flashback from his prison cell. Helmuth is an incredible character – believable as an ordinary boy who grows and learns, takes responsibility, and draws upon his conscience to act in the face of evil. Helmuth’s remarkable act of courage will hopefully inspire readers to stand up for their beliefs in the face of opposition. My main problem with this fictionalized account was that this book was not the compelling page turner it really should be. But at least Helmuth’s life story is amazing enough that even mediocre storytelling can’t ruin it. The author’s essay at the end distinguishing fact and fiction and the photographs of Helmuth and his family and friends provide satisfying closure.

[Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book because it was about WW2. I liked it because there was a great perspective of a viewpoint by a German. Instead of always seeing lots of books from a Jewish perspective. I enjoy reading about world war 2 but once you get into this book it is very hard to put it down in my opinion. In the end I thought it was a great book because it is a story for what it would be like to be a German during the war. It also goes to show that not all the Germans wanted a war it was mainly the NAZIS.

[Marquise · Rating 2 out of 5]

I appreciate what Susan Campbell Bartoletti is trying to do for the memory of Helmuth Hübener in writing this book, but whilst I do think it's done a lot to make his heroism more known as it should be, I also think that the book could've been done a better job of presenting his story.

The first thing I noticed that I took issue with was the use of German. Like many others that do the same, the author thought to give the novel a ring of authenticity by unnecessarily inserting words in German that are then immediately followed by their English translation, often within inner thoughts and dialogue. And it's not even unique or untranslatable words, in which case it'd be justified, but common and ordinary words, like prisoner or attention. Because of this, you see actual Germans saying "Achtung! Attention!" in German and English with the same breath. You couldn't make it any more inauthentic and cartoonish if you tried. There's lots and lots of instances of this throughout the novel.

Next, I noticed that the characterisation of Helmuth is of someone weirdly isolated, which is not how people who knew him remember him and describe him as. Having read Three Against Hitler, the memoirs of his friend and co-conspirator Rudi Wobbe, before this book, I was rather put off by this book's depiction of Helmuth as an initially Nazi-sympathising kid who's living entirely in his own head, so isolated and navel-gazing that there's nothing to life but school and his own home/inner world, to the point his church is merely something that exists but isn't shown, and his co-conspirators Rudi and Karl-Heinz appear late in the novel and only when it's time to tick off the Resisting the Nazis box in a list of events in Helmuth's life. You don't see him interacting with people, making friends, being the take-charge and commanding kid those who met him say he was.

I don't think it fair to make his friends serve the plot in this way, instead of giving them their due. It'd have been better to make it about the three boys, with Helmuth as the leader, instead

[Isaac_E1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I was reading, the author told the story of Helmuth's life by talking about his life as a young adult and the rewinds too when he was little. The story started off when Helmuth was all grown up and in prison, and then shortly afterwards the story rewinds to when he was younger, then after couple pages it rewinds back to when he's in prison. I really like this style of writing because it interests me how the time of the story constantly shifts from past to present and from present to past.

She also wrote about how certain governments are afraid of their people knowing the truth of their nation and are so good at hiding the truth, that a majority of the people of that nation think the lies are the truth. Even if someone learns of the truth, that person may be afraid even spreading the truth, as for Helmuth's friend, they were scared to help Helmuth in spreading the truth.

I also learnt that everyone who lived in Nazi occupied Europe had to have an identity card, not just the Jews. Even the Aryan German people had to have identity cards, and the Hitler Youth Gestapo training could just ask anyones id even grown ups. For me, this shows how the government give more power to those who supported the Nazi even Kids, then the average person.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio version. Very interesting story of a Hitler youth turning against the Reich and joining with the resistance. One can see many parallels to this story with today's political society. Trump and his "fake news," his lies, and him instilling fear about immigrants are very similar to Hitler's German propaganda and his views of Jews. The similarities are actually extremely scary and I fear for our future.

I give this a four star book and not a five star because I wished it was longer. It was only 4 hours long and I wasn't ready for this book to be over.

[Jenna Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting take on what it was like to be an unsupportive German in WWII, and to learn that it’s based on a true story! Remarkable.

[Dylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about Helmuth who lives with his family in Germany. He hates the Fuhrer (aka Hitler) and does things illegally.

[Samson · Rating 2 out of 5]

It just. tells you information?

it's not good by any stretch of the imagination, and by the end of the book, I felt really no sadness at the (spoilers ahead) main characters death.

[Kara Linaburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay this beautiful book rippled my heart and tore it into shreds... Excuse me while I cry for the loss of humanity...