Tuesday, October 16, 2018

PROJEKT 1065: A Novel of World War II by Alan Gratz / Book Review #Projekt1065


By: Alan Gratz
Published by: Scholastic Press
Released on: October 11th, 2016
Ages: 12 & up
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Rating: 4 owlets 
Source: borrowed library book

Infiltrate. Befriend. Sabotage.

World War II is raging. Michael O'Shaunessey, originally from Ireland, now lives in Nazi Germany with his parents. Like the other boys in his school, Michael is a member of the Hitler Youth.

But Michael has a secret. He and his parents are spies.

Michael despises everything the Nazis stand for. But he joins in the Hitler Youth's horrific games and book burnings, playing the part so he can gain insider knowledge.

When Michael learns about Projekt 1065, a secret Nazi war mission, things get even more complicated. He must prove his loyalty to the Hitler Youth at all costs -- even if it means risking everything he cares about.

Including... his own life.

From acclaimed author Alan Gratz (Prisoner B-3087) comes a pulse-pounding novel about facing fears and fighting for what matters most.


WOW, what a read! I feel like I stepped back in time, during WWII, when this book was set. Even though you know the outcome of WWII, this pulse pounding novel will have you questioning what you'd do if you were in Michael's position. Would you face your fears, like he learns to do, and fight for what you believe to be right, even if those around are against don't? 

Gratz definitely knows how to make his readers feel as though they're apart of this story vs just reading about. He makes his readers feel as though they've jumped back into time, and are watching history unravel. I’m so impressed with the research that went into this story. I appreciated the way Gratz interwove history and historical contexts into this fictional story. It felt like a real story. 

I'm not sure why it's taking me this long to read one of Gratz's books. After hearing Alan speak at a middle grade library I was working in, I had to pick up this book. The kids love his books, and really enjoyed hearing him talk about writing this book, as well as a few of his others, and the research and inspiration that went into writing them. I highly recommend checking out this book, along with this others. 

I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~ Anna Quindlen

Good children's literature appeals not only to
the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child.
~ Anonymous ~