Bartoletti has taken one episode from her Newbery Honor Book, HITLER YOUTH, and fleshed it out into thought-provoking novel. When 16-year-old Helmuth Hubner listens to the BBC news on an illegal short-wave radio, he quickly discovers Germany is lying to the people. But when he tries to expose the truth with leaflets, he's tried for treason. Sentenced to death and waiting in a jail cell, Helmuth's story emerges in a series of flashbacks that show his growth from a naive child caught up in the patriotism of the times, to a sensitive and mature young man who thinks for himself.

 

Suggested Book Club Questions for Boy Who Dared (Fiction)

The following book club questions provide a starting point for creating a reading group discussion on Boy Who Dared:

• Did Susan Campbell Bartoletti emphasize any specific themes throughout Boy Who Dared? What do you think Susan Campbell Bartoletti is trying to explain with this theme?
• What was unique about the setting of Boy Who Dared and how did it affect the storyline?
• Could you relate to any of the characters? If so, which ones and why?
• How do characters change or learn throughout Boy Who Dared? What events caused these changes? Have you or someone you know experienced the same thing?
• How does Boy Who Dared reveal Susan Campbell Bartoletti's own perspectives about people and the world? For a lively discussion, describe why you think Susan Campbell Bartoletti is liberal or conservative.
• Did certain parts of Boy Who Dared affect you emotionally? Why did it evoke those emotions?
• Did Susan Campbell Bartoletti's point of view on things lend new perspective to your own view of the world?

Suggested Book Club Questions for Boy Who Dared (Non-fiction)

The following book club questions provide a starting point for creating a reading group discussion on Boy Who Dared:

• Did Susan Campbell Bartoletti make persuasive arguments in Boy Who Dared? Did Boy Who Dared change or reinforce your opinion on the subject?
• What did you learn from Boy Who Dared?
• How does Susan Campbell Bartoletti present the information and did you enjoy it?
• How is Susan Campbell Bartoletti biased within Boy Who Dared? Is there a political slant to what is being discussed and how does it impact the book?
• What, if anything, does Boy Who Dared make you want to read next? Why?