The Boy Who Dared

Historical Fiction
Author: Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Copyright: Susan Campbell Bartoletti, 2008
Publisher: Scholastic Press

Reading Level: 
     Ages: 11 and up
     Grade Level Equivalent: 4.6
     Lexile Measure: 760L

Five keywords/phrases to describe the book:
"Curiosity killed the cat," bravery, morality, eye-opening, political

Suggested Delivery: Small group read

Summary: This is a novel that is based on a true story of a Hitler youth. Helmuth is a young boy who is struggling to find the balance between his beliefs and the rules that come with living in Nazi Germany. He listens to the BBC news on an illegal short-wave radio, and realizes that the government is lying to the people of Germany. Helmuth is faced with the moral dilemma of sharing his discovery or obeying the law. In a series of leaflets, Helmuth and two friends decide to anonymously inform the public. However, they get caught, and are arrested. Helmuth is tried for treason, and while sitting in a jail cell awaiting his fate, tells his story through a series of flashbacks that leave you wanting more than anything to know the real story.

Vocabulary:
1) Executioner (page 3)
2) Opalescent (page 6)
3) Artillery (page 8)
4) Jews (page 14)
5) Swastika (page 19)
6) Communists (page 21)
7) The New Reich (page 21)
8) Chancellor (page 22)
9) Decree (page 25)
10) Nazi (page 26)
11) Guillotine (page 36)
12) Truncheon (page 36)
13) Fürher (page 37)
14) Aryan Race (page 48)
15) Gestapo (page 52)
16) Zealous (page 53)
17) Infantry (page 73)
18) Propaganda (page 74)
19) Atrocities (page 76)
20) Concentration Camps (page 141)
21) Treason (page 151)

Electronic Resources:

Susan Campbell Bartoletti - This is Susan Campbell Bartoletti's personal website. It includes her biography, other books she's written, and new releases that reader's can expect from her. This is a great place for students to go if they liked reading this book, because they can find other books by the same author.

Video - This is a video by the author, Susan Campbell Bartoletti, which introduces the novel and gives a brief summary. This video could be used before reading to engage the students and grab their attention, making them interested in reading the story before they even start. It will also help students to understand the story as they read, as the flashback setup of this story may make it a little confusing.

Comprehension Strategies:
Before: Have students make a KWL chart as a class about Hitler, Hitler Youth, and Nazi Germany. Before reading, have students fill out the K and W section of the chart. This information may be something they have learned in class, or it may be something they know from an outside source, such as parents, TV, etc.

During: Have students create character maps within their small groups on large chart paper. Starting with the main character, Helmuth, have students write the character's name, age (if given), and any important information that will help students remember who they are. When a new character pops up in the story, the students will repeat this process. Additionally, if any characters are linked in some way (such as siblings, parents, etc.) then have students draw a line between the two characters, with the relationship written on the line.
**Because a KWL chart was made before reading, students should also be looking for answers to their questions that they posed in the W section of the chart.

After: Have a group discussion with the class as a whole. The ending of the book does not say, but rather implies, what happens to Helmuth with a metaphor. Talk about what the metaphor means with students. Students should be able to tell the class how they know this and support their assumption with evidence.
**Because a KWL chart was made before reading, students should also fill out the L section of the chart, discussing what they've learned about Nazi Germany and any answers to questions they may have posed in the W section of the chart.

Writing Activity: Have students write in their writing journals a short, one paragraph response to this question: "If you were Helmuth, would you have gone against the Nazi Party like he chose to do, or follow their rules even though you didn't agree with them? Why or why not?" Once completed, have students share their responses with the class. This will promote open discussion and listening to others' viewpoints and opinions.

Citation:
Bartoletti, S. C. (2008). The boy who dared. New York: Scholastic Press.