My Brother's Secret

Gr 4–8—Karl is a proud, patriotic 12-year-old boy living in Nazi Germany during World War II. He desires only to excel in the Deutsches Jungvolk and one day join the Hitler Youth. Karl is a dynamic character, whose mind gradually opens and opinions change through the course of the novel. A major catalyst for this change is the death of his father. Lisa, a new friend, and his own brother, Stefan, introduce him to a different way of thinking. This historical novel provides a vivid picture of what life was like for ordinary German citizens during this time period. Terrified that their own children who had been brainwashed by organizations like Deutsches Jungvolk, many adults lived in fear that the Hitler Youth would report them to the Gestapo if they did not demonstrate unwavering support to their Fuhrer. Additional themes include family, loyalty, friendship, and loss.