My Brother's Secret

Narrator Leon Williams vividly conveys action, fear, and uncertainty in this audiobook about a subject not often written about, Hitler's youth groups. Twelve-year-old Karl Friedman is more enthusiastic than the rest of his family about the FŸhrer, so much so that he turns in his older brother for not being "German enough." Williams impeccably captures everyone in Karl's circle: mother, brother, grandparents, and first girlfriend, Lisa. He particularly excels at demonstrating Karl's changing opinion as he witnesses the needless--and endless--cruelty of the Gestapo and Germany's other fanatical citizens. Outstanding sound effects replicating an air-raid shelter under attack will keep young listeners glued to this outstanding coming-of-age story, which graphically demonstrates the horrors of war while humanizing the people who are swept along in it. S.G.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine

November 1, 2015

Gr 5-8-Twelve-year-old Karl, a member of the Deutsches Jungvolk, looks forward to joining the Hitler Youth soon. After his father is killed in Russia, his world changes when he, along with his heartbroken mother and rebellious brother, Stefan, move in with his grandparents. When Karl realizes how brutally the Nazis operate and that Stefan is a member of local resistance group the Edelweiss Pirates, he and newfound friend Lisa yearn to join the rebels. His innocent confrontations with the unfeeling Gestapo Inspector Wolff make Karl the first logical suspect whenever there is trouble in town. This gripping historical fiction tale is a fresh presentation of what life might have been like for a German child during World War II. Leon Williams creates memorable characters who are distinct and individual and brilliantly changes tempo while reading, slowing down or speeding up to build tension and suspense at key times. VERDICT A tightly written story read by a master narrator. ["An exciting novel with compelling characters for those interested in historical fiction and Nazi Germany": SLJ 6/15 review of the Scholastic book.]-Stephanie Bange, Wright State University, Dayton, OH

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