The Edelweiss pirates : teenage rebels in Nazi Germany

Working-class teenagers who secretly resisted fascism during World War II are the subject of this work of historical fiction translated from German. An introduction by prolific author for young people and former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen explains that this novel is rooted in fact: Although they are not well known today, the Edelweiss Pirates really existed. The book opens with Josef Gerlach’s diary entry from late November 1944, describing the killing of his brother, Horst, by the SS as witnessed by Josef and his friends. In 2011, a boy named Daniel, visiting the cemetery where his grandfather was recently buried, meets Josef, who is by Horst’s grave. Josef piques Daniel’s interest with the claim that Horst’s story might interest him especially. Daniel is hooked—and readers will be too. From this point, diary entries spanning the period from March 1941 to May 1945 are counterpointed with scenes of Daniel and Josef at the latter’s modest digs in a home for elderly bachelors. Reinhardt’s energetic novel is both a coming-of-age story and a historic thriller. (Kirkus Review) 'An unknown story we should all know, about the triumph of courage and of the human spirit over the most evil regime the world has ever known' Michael Morpurgo When sixteen-year-old Daniel befriends Josef Gerlach, he feels the old man is haunted by a secret from his past. Sure enough when Josef gives him his teenage diary to read, Daniel discovers a shocking story of rebellion and struggle. The diary tells how Josef left the Hitler Youth for a gang called the Edelweiss Pirates. Their uniform: long hair and cool clothes. Their motto: freedom! At first the Pirates are only interested in hanging out and having a good time, but as the situation in Nazi Germany gets worse, they start to plan dangerous missions against Hitler's regime - soon they are fighting for their lives. Dirk Reinhardt, born in 1963, studied German and history before becoming a freelance journalist and starting to write books for children and young adults. The Edelweiss Pirates is his third novel. "When sixteen-year-old Daniel befriends Josef Gerlach, he has a feeling the old man is keeping something from him, and sure enough when Josef gives him his teenage diary to read, Daniel discovers a shocking story of rebellion and struggle. It tells how Gerlach left the Hitler Youth at the age of 14 and instead joined a gang called the Edelweiss Pirates. Their uniform: long hair and cool clothes. Their motto: freedom! At first the Edelweiss Pirates are only interested in hanging out and having a good time, but as the situation in Nazi germany gets worse, they start to plan dangerous missions against Hitler's regime. The deeper Daniel dives into this past world, the more closely he feels connected to Gerlach, until he realises what the Edelweiss Pirates have to do with him and his own story"--Publisher's description A HEART-STOPPING ADVENTURE BASED ON THE TRUE STORY OF THE TEENAGE REBELS WHO STOOD UP TO THE NAZIS When sixteen-year-old Daniel befriends Josef Gerlach, he feels the old man is haunted by a secret from his past. Sure enough when Josef gives him his teenage diary to read, Daniel discovers a shocking story of rebellion and struggle. The diary tells how Josef left the Hitler Youth for a gang called The Edelweiss Pirates. Their uniform: long hair and cool clothes. Their motto: freedom! At first the Pirates are only interested in hanging out and having a good time, but as the situation in Nazi Germany gets worse, they start to plan dangerous missions against Hitler's regime-soon they are fighting for their lives.