Looking for novels set in Nazi Germany for a teen DD

[loveyouradvice]

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!!!

This is a really interesting list, I've just downloaded a load to read.

Bit late to this thread, but would like to add Jane Thynne's Clara Vine novels - they start before the war. Clara is a half English-half German actress who is initially drawn into the world of the women of the Nazi high command and gradually becomes a spy. They are fabulous on the period detail of day to day life and terrific stories as well. They touch on various points of history that you might not know. I believe Jane Thynne is married to Philip Kerr, mentioned up thread. They must have a wonderful time on research trips together!

another one. related if not quite on topic: die welle (the wave) by dennis gansel

It's partly set in occupied Holland and might be of interest if no one has mentioned it - Postcards From No Man's Land. A fantastic book.

A pp said the only book they read on the subject was "Mein Kampf". Only book? WTF?
Read it without other books? Very odd. And rather disturbing idea.

Sophie Scholl- the movie about her is brilliant.

Another vote for the Past is Myself.
And for the Silver Sword, though that's set in Poland.

The Bernie Guenther novels are rather dark in places. I decided to stop reading them when someone came to a sticky end in a wine press. My DH likes them though.

Slightly less dark (except for the last one) are the Station books by David Downing. The last one has a rape scene where a teenage girl is murdered by a Russian soldier so not sure that's one to recommend but the rest of the series are ok.

Not a book but the Secret Army DVDs - set in Belgium but very good.

Enemy at the Door - based on the German occupation of the Channel Islands also available on DVD.

Off to google the Clara Vine books, sound right up my street! Never heard of them.

Is it Kate Atkinson's A Life After Life that has a strand about being a young person sucked into the Hitler Youth and eventually Hitler's inner circle? And contrasted with other strands set in England?

She is very readable.

Yes, that's the one. Read it with the Book Thief. Delectable.

I'd recommend the recently-published A Berlin Love Song by Sarah Matthias.

One of the most riveting books I ever read as a young teenager was called "Ulrike and the War" (in Swedish - not sure if it exists in translation). Written from the point of view of a Nazi Youth brainwashed girl. Absolutely harrowing. Followed by "Ulrike and the Peace". No idea if they were ever translated into English but if they have been then I'd highly recommend them!