The Boys Who Challenged Hitler

★ “Hoose employs a format similar to that of his award-winning Claudette Colvin (BCCB 2/09), serving here as Knud Pedersen’s interviewer and editor, and supplying segues and insets while allowing Pedersen’s voice to carry the narrative. What an edge-of-your-seat narrative it is—and even more compelling for teen readers, who are the same age as the real-life protagonists.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, starred review

★ “This account of a little-known resistance movement in which Danish adolescents stood up to their Nazi occupiers is an outstanding addition to the WWII canon…Hoose brilliantly weaves Pedersen’s own words into the larger narrative of Denmark’s stormy social and political wartime climate, showing how the astonishing bravery of otherwise ordinary Danish teens started something extraordinary.” —Horn Book, starred review

★ “The book is well organized, effectively integrating Pedersen’s vivid descriptions of his group’s motives, determination, and sometimes foolhardy bravery within the larger narrative, which includes information about Denmark, the war, and the boys’ families and lives. Sidebars, detailed maps, and period photos supplement the text. Often reading like a thriller, this title puts a human face on the often-overlooked Danish Resistance….VERDICT A captivating work that will appeal to many readers.” —School Library Journal, starred review

★ “Their story is one of bravery in the face of constant danger and of increasingly meaningful acts of sabotage, including stealing weapons and destroying important German assets. How long, the reader wonders, will they be able to elude capture? That question and others are answered in this tale of remarkable bravery and determination. Told in both the author’s voice and that of Knud Pedersen himself (the latter culled from 25 hours of interviews and nearly 1,000 e-mail exchanges), this has a compelling immediacy that is enhanced by a generous collection of black-and-white period photographs. An important and unforgettable book that adds a significant chapter to the history of WWII.” —Booklist, starred review

★ “As he did in Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice (2009), Hoose tells this largely unknown story with passion and clarity, providing exactly the right background information to contextualize events for readers. He makes excellent use of his extensive interviews with Pedersen, quoting him at length and expertly interweaving his words into the narrative to bring it alive. A superbly told, remarkable true story and an excellent addition to stories of civilian resistance in World War II. ” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ “Hoose vividly recounts the true story of the courageous and brazen teens who inspired the Danish resistance movement in WWII…this gripping story quickly gathers momentum, and the shifts between narrators flow smoothly…bibliography and source notes conclude this inspiring account.” —Publisher’s Weekly, starred review

“There is a striking immediacy to the telling. An adult can only admire the intoxicating, foolhardy brashness of the young as they slipped pistols out of Nazis’ coat pockets or taught themselves about mortar grenades by disassembling one on the floor of an old monastery.” —New York Times Book Review

“These teenagers risked all—and lost much… a vivid account of the true adventures of seven prep-school students and their co-conspirators whose valor and pluck helped embolden their countrymen…Eventful and accessible, this energetic work of nonfiction for 12- to 18-year-olds will cheer the hearts of readers whatever their age.” —Wall Street Journal

“This narrative is far more than a rousing real-life adventure tale. Ultimately, The Boys Who Challenged Hitler will stir readers to ask themselves whether they would have had the courage of Knud and Jens – two teenagers who risked everything to stand up to a real and extremely dangerous enemy.” —Christian Science Monitor

“Grainy archival photos personalize the past, but the power in this slice-of-history lies in its inspiring story and inspired storytelling. Bottom line: Kids can be heroes, too.” —San Francisco Chronicle

“Hoose’s enlightening book contains plenty of tense moments but also features some lighter anecdotes. (At one point, the teens discover that the box they stole from a German barracks building contains dirty underwear, not gunpowder.) The book is a powerful testament to the brave acts of young people who risked their lives for the sake of their country.” —Washington Post

“Once again we owe a debt of gratitude to author Phillip Hoose for bringing us another true story about young people’s role in history.” —The Uncommon Corps: Champions of Nonfiction Literature for Children and Young Adults