About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is beginning to question the difference between fitting in and doing what is right, or when they are struggling with the concept of moral compromise in difficult social situations. Alan Gratz delivers a high stakes historical thriller centered on Michael, an Irish boy living in Nazi Germany who must join the Hitler Youth to act as a spy for the Allies. It is a gripping exploration of the psychological toll of living a lie and the courage required to stand alone against a tide of hate. While the setting is historical, the emotional core of the book speaks directly to middle schoolers navigating peer pressure, bullying, and the heavy weight of personal integrity. It is best suited for mature readers aged 10 to 14 who are ready to engage with the darker realities of history and the complex grey areas of human behavior.
