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Looking for novels set in Nazi Germany for a teen DD

112 replies

loveyouradvice · 04/06/2017 15:09

She's doing history GCSE and one aspect is understanding life in Nazi Germany - any recommendations for novels? Ideally lighter weight ones, gripping narrative... even detective novels set in this era... or YA!!!

OP posts:
Papergirl1968 · 05/06/2017 20:17

I've just read The Sunflower Forest by Torey Hayden. The main character - the narrator - is an American girl of about 17, discovering and trying to come to terms with her mother's past of being raped and used for breeding by the Nazis.

Creatureofthenight · 05/06/2017 16:20

I'd also recommend Once, it's suitable for younger than GCSE, is very good and a quick read.
As mentioned earlier, Salt to the Sea by Ruth Sepetys is great - she has another book set in WW2, Between Shades of Grey, but more about Stalin than Hitler.
Chocolate Cake with Hitler by Emma Craigie is an interesting read, it's a fictional account of the last few days of the Goebbels family, told by one of the daughters.

SecretSpi · 05/06/2017 16:12

I'd like to second the following recommendations:

Friedrich by Hans Richter (this book is read in German schools)
My Brother's Secret by Dan Smith (aimed at younger teens)
Ausländer by Paul Dowswell (teen/YA)
All the Light we cannot see by Anthony Doerr (a 'grown-up' book but about two teenagers - one in France, one in Germany - excellent)

I would steer clear of Ben Elton's 'Two Brothers' - although it's a good story, I found it appallingly badly written and the 21st century slang and constant swearing might not be what you'd want your daughter to read.

If your DD is a good reader, she might be interested in the novels of Irmgard Keun, which were written in the 1930s.

Terri26 · 05/06/2017 01:04

Once by Morris Gleitzman. A series of four books but I've only read one.

phoolani · 05/06/2017 01:03

I'd also say Alone in Berlin just because it's excellent. And Anne frank because everyone should read it.

MEgirl · 05/06/2017 00:54

I couldn't finish The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. The story seemed so implausible.

FurForPour · 04/06/2017 23:21

Not Germany, but occupied Latvia in The Earth is Singing. Harrowing indeed, was recommended to me by my 13 year old when we were going to Riga.

PotPlantAddict · 04/06/2017 23:06

Another All the Light We Cannot see fan, lovely book.

MipMipMip · 04/06/2017 22:56

No Hero For The Kaiser by Rudolf Frank. It's first world war - someone accidentally joins the German army. Hitler publicly burnt it which is a good recommendation for anyone.

user1487941567 · 04/06/2017 22:51

Maus is amazing and perfect for a younger person learning about Germany. The Germans are portrayed as cats, Jews as mice, Americans as dogs etc. It is very moving.

Littledrummergirl · 04/06/2017 22:49

Not Germany but Alexander Ramati "and the violins stopped playing" and Reginald Hill "the collaborators".
"No price for freedom" by Phillip Gibbs is also brilliant if you can track it down.

Mooey89 · 04/06/2017 21:47

Two brothers and the storyteller were excellent too.

MariafromMalmo · 04/06/2017 21:18

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MSLehrerin · 04/06/2017 21:17

The Runaway Family by Diney Costello is a good one and not too hard going.
Would second the "Maus" graphic novels too.
Two Brothers by Ben Elton is excellent too but the language used may be a bit strong for her.
The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

One of the periods in history I find fascinating as well as the post war period in Germany.

Iamastonished · 04/06/2017 20:48

I remember reading Piepel by Ka-tzetnik 135633, the branded survivor from Auschwitz. It makes for grim reading, and at 15 it left a lasting impression on me.

loveyouradvice · 04/06/2017 20:43

Thank you Elinor Rigby...... thank you... and I so agree...

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ElinorRigby · 04/06/2017 20:38

Oh that's fine loveyouradvice.

It's just such a difficult subject, so inevitably comments like 'really enjoyed this book about Auschwitz' can seem a bit weird....

loveyouradvice · 04/06/2017 20:36

I am so sorry to any I have caused distress to ... this was not my intent at all... I have always felt that reading fiction is such a powerful way of understanding how people lived and thought in different situations and different times, helping us gain insight into how and why things happen, increasing compassion and understanding ... the comment about being lighter-weight was purely because at just 14, so many of the more powerful books (like Alone in Berlin) feel a stretch too far... And I am deeply grateful to have learnt of so many new books that I had not heard of before (like Mischlind, second degree and Stones from the River and Reunion) ... as well as being reminded of Heimat which I think is brilliant and wholly appropriate to watch with her .... A huge thank you to everyone for sharing so many ideas which I'm gently working through, for both DD and myself

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Mumchance · 04/06/2017 20:24

I'm with ElinorRigby.

DrDreReturns · 04/06/2017 20:19

Bomber is one of the best books of the last century imo. It might not be easy for a fourteen year old though. I tried several times to read it in my early / mid teens and couldn't get into it. It was only when I was older that I appreciated it.

TickleMcTickleFace · 04/06/2017 20:18

Two Brothers by Ben Elton is brilliant as is When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit. Elinor I know what you mean but when I read both of these I was struck by how even now the propaganda machine is alive and well and stirring up distrust yet again so I think they're both good at getting us to look at that and to even now read past what some of the press is reporting.

Doraemon · 04/06/2017 20:18

DS1 and I have recently read the Henderson's Boys series by Robert Muchamore - spy fiction series based around a group of kids and teenagers trained to work undercover in WW2 France. One of the series 'The Prisoner' is set mainly in Germany after one of the boys is arrested, lots of detail about conditions for prisoners but also a fair amount of information along the way about conditions in Germany. It's not exactly high-end literature but as far as I can tell the historical detail in the series is pretty reliable and they're definitely a good read.

WorknameJimEllis · 04/06/2017 20:14

Winter by Len Deighton - fascinating story following 2 fictional brothers born in Vienna as the 20th century begins and follows their lives through WW1 and how then WW2, very interesting take on how Hitler's rise to power was able to happen, and the context, background and the effects on the lives of ordinary people.

Also by The same author is 'bomber' a full novel that is a effectively just a description of an RAF bombing attack during one night. told in detail form several points of view on both sides. The whole book describes less than 24 hours worth of real time. Again as above, really good for understanding effects on the lives ordinary people.

user1471449040 · 04/06/2017 20:07

Lena Kuchler My 100 Children is amazing!

Helenluvsrob · 04/06/2017 20:06

How teen ?
The book thief
When hitler stole pink rabbit
Hitler's canary ( Denmark I know )
Suite Francais is brilliant but probably only for older teams.

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