This book opens with Karl (an 11 year old German boy) taking part in a War Games exercise with his friends in the Deutsches Jungvolk. His team wins and he is awarded a silver badge which makes him very proud. He cannot understand why a boy on the opposite team is so upset about his father dying; Karl thinks the boy should be proud of his dad dying for Germany and the Fuhrer.

On the day of Karl's 12th birthday his life is turned upside down when his mother receives a telegram informing her of his father's death. Karl moves in with his Oma and Opa (grandparents), makes a new friend and gradually starts to understand his elder brother's viewpoint of the Nazi Party.

I think this is a great book because it is told through the point of view of a young boy and it makes you realise that the Second World War was just as frightening and horrible for German children as it was for English children. Also, Dan Smith describes the family's bonds in a very realistic way and tells a good story of friendship, loyalty and courage.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the Second World War, especially if you are studying it in school.

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