(1) YA Barone (Race to the Bottom of the Earth, rev. 5/21) delivers another impressive feat of narrative nonfiction storytelling. In the years following World War I, Germany developed a virtually unbreakable code, called Enigma, with the help of a complicated machine. One such machine fortuitously fell into the hands of Poland, enabling their ­codebreakers to duplicate the machine and crack the code--until the Germans added layers of complexity. As Hitler rose to power, the threat of military aggression became obvious, increasing the stakes substantially; the code was central to military operations, particularly the German naval strategy. France, England, and Poland now had extra motivation to cooperate with one another to break the code; and break it they did, but not before an extensive game of ­cat-and-mouse with Germany. Accompanied by occasional ­black-and-white ­photos, Barone's suspenseful text introduces a sprawling cast of characters, with the epilogue updating readers on what happened afterward to the central ­players. A timeline, bibliography, and source notes are appended.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2023

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Daniela Stamatiadi. Kurt wants to join his brother and older friends in fighting against Hitler Youth: he proves he's brave enough through his trumpet playing. This story of resistance in Nazi Germany keeps the focus on blues music, letting anti-Semitism be a backdrop rather than the focus. Thoughtful, intricate illustrations include swastikas and depictions of Hitler. An author's note provides more information about the real Edelweiss Pirates.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(2) 4-6 Readers meet the German theologian and pastor who was executed for participating in a failed assassination attempt on Hitler. Hendrix deftly contrasts Bonhoeffer's and Hitler's biographical details against the larger World War II backdrop. The book effectively employs hand-lettered typeface, comic-panel layouts, spot art, vivid two-color illustrations, occasional maps, and striking political-cartoon-style editorial illustrations. The result is that this heavily textual book is also a highly visual one. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2018

(4) 4-6 History's Worst series. The life and actions of infamous historical figures are recounted in these engaging but uneven middle-grade biographies. In Hitler, Buckley's use of colloquialisms can be off-putting, and readers will learn little new information. In Ripper, Burgan shares grisly details, but the narrative gets bogged down overviewing the many theories regarding the killer's identity. Ripper lists suggested resources; both books include a timeline and notes. Review covers the following History's Worst titles: Adolf Hitler and Jack the Ripper.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 In 1940, a young boy and his mother meet a WWI veteran who tells the haunting story of a meeting between a British and a German soldier, the latter of whom was probably the young Adolf Hitler. Morpurgo returns with another moral dilemma reflected through a compelling story based on some truth, as explained in an afterword.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) 4-6 Nine-year-old Ukrainian girl Lida survives a Nazi labor camp by claiming she is older and proving herself "useful" to her captors. Forced to make bombs, Lida plans to sabotage them. The narrative illuminates Ukrainian history based on true stories of survivors persecuted by both Hitler and Stalin. Lida and her fellow child prisoners are sympathetic characters demonstrating solidarity in a wartime internment setting.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(2) YA This young readers' edition of The Winter Fortress focuses on a single, crucial Allied operation of WWII: the disruption of the Nazis' atomic program by eliminating their supply of heavy water. There is much information to process, but Bascomb admirably balances dramatic tension and context throughout. Appended with archival photographs and a wealth of back matter. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2016

(3) 4-6 Seven-year-old orphan Pierrot is sent to live with his aunt, who works as a housekeeper in Hitler's home in the Austrian Alps. As he grows up, Pierrot (renamed Pieter to sound a little more German and a little less French) develops a relationship with Hitler and grows into a cruel, immensely unlikable young man. Pierrot's evolution will encourage much discussion in this thought-provoking story.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(2) 4-6 Freedman's latest photohistory is an excellent overview of the White Rose resistance movement, a group of university students who, beginning in June 1942 in Munich, Germany, risked their lives to write and distribute leaflets denouncing the Nazi regime. Freedman not only writes with clarity and pace but augments his text with primary-source quotes and photographs that add power and immediacy. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2016

(3) 4-6 Thirteen-year-old Irish boy Michael and his family are Allied spies in 1943 Nazi Germany, where Michael is posing as a member of the Hitler Youth. He becomes involved in a plot to uncover Projekt 1065, Germany's development of a new, faster plane without propellers. Based on true events and documented facts, this historical thriller and coming-of-age novel will keep readers highly engaged.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) YA This fast-paced alt-history thriller is just as exciting as its predecessor (Wolf by Wolf). Skin-shifter Yael is on the run after a botched original mission to kill Hitler. This time, she's accompanied by fellow motorcycle racer (and budding love interest) Luka Löwe and by Felix Wolfe, brother to Adele Wolfe, whom Yael previously impersonated. Graudin's breathless, agile prose complements the addictive story arc.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(2) 4-6 In April 1943, the Gestapo arrested pacifist Lutheran minister Dietrich Bonhoeffer for attempting to assassinate Hitler. Alongside Bonhoeffer's religious calling and theological contributions, McCormick chillingly details Hitler's rise to power. When Bonhoeffer could not gather support from the religious community to fight Hitler, he decided to "sin boldly." Questions of moral authority drive the story; archival photographs supplement the text. Timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2016

(3) YA In Nazi-occupied Amsterdam, fifteen-year-old Tygo (under duress) loots abandoned Dutch homes for the Germans. On the job, he discovers a girl in hiding who provides another perspective on his desperate plight. Osborne's somewhat loose approach to historical events embraces "what if" scenarios; in this case, a last-ditch attempt by Hitler to attack New York. A cinematic read with plenty of action and adventure. Historical note appended.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) YA After her brother is killed by Nazis, sixteen-year-old Lucie, seeking a secretarial job with the Women's Army Corps, is recruited for Covert Ops, a secret offshoot working to take down Hitler. In France, assassin Lucie is eventually reassigned to investigate top-secret Nazi project Operation Zerfall. Underdeveloped characterizations and rushed storytelling tip the thrilling premise toward a tedious execution. An author's note discusses real female spies in WWII.

Reviewer: Sian Gaetano

(4) YA World War II: The Full Story series. This series provides middle schoolers with a general overview of WWII, discussing conflicts between Allied and Axis forces in both the western and eastern theaters; Home and Life focus on hardships civilians from both sides faced. Numerous photographs, sidebars, and blocks of text on every spread add up to a lot of information but a cluttered format. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these World War II: The Full Story titles: Behind the Lines, Causes and Outbreaks, Home Fronts, Life in the War, North African and Europe, and War in the Pacific.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) YA Gretchen and Daniel (Prisoner of Night and Fog) return to Germany to clear Daniel's name after he's framed for murder by the Nazis. The teens find unlikely allies in the Ringverein men (organized crime) and, as Gretchen fears, come face-to-face with "Uncle Dolph." Blankman belabors some points (we get it: Daniel is restless in Oxford), but danger and suspense keep things crackling. Bib.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) YA During WWII, Hitler unleashed a virus that turned most of the world into vampires. Decades later, human teen Sophie lives in Haven with the other "Immunes." After her best friend is murdered she decides to investigate (despite warnings from her vampire secret-love-interest), and she discovers an unsavory plot involving Immune babies. A unique and creepy sci-fi/horror alt-history.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) YA In this alternative-history/sci-fi thriller, the Axis powers won World War II. It is 1956, and seventeen-year-old skin-shifting resistance fighter Yael is assigned to kill Hitler. To do so, she must win a cross-continental motorcycle race to gain a rare one-on-one encounter. A complicated plot threatens to overtake this exciting novel, but strong writing and an appealingly multi-layered heroine keep it on track.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(2) YA In April 1940, the Danish government pretty much rolled out the red carpet for Hitler's army. What no one foresaw was the way many Danes, angered by their leaders' capitulation, would fight back. Some spied on the Germans; others aided Danish Jews. Hopkinson pulls together these narratives with truly propulsive storytelling and great attention to the humanity involved. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Sam Bloom | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2015

(4) 4-6 What Were They Fighting For? series. A useful text provides a broad overview of World War II and adequate examination of what motivated Allied and Axis forces to join the war. Captioned black-and-white photos and occasional sidebars complement the serviceable narrative. Upper-elementary and middle school students will find the book useful for reports. Reading list, timelime. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander