Friday, January 06, 2017

Projekt 1065

Projekt 1065. Alan Gratz. 2016. Scholastic. 320 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It's hard to smile when you're having dinner with Nazis.

Premise/plot: Michael O'Shaunessey may be a boy, but he's also a spy from a family of spies. His father is the Irish ambassador to Germany, and the family has lived in Berlin for over seven years. He belongs to the Hitler Youth for one reason only, to help his cover and his parents' cover. Michael is essential to his family's work because he has a photographic memory.

My thoughts: Thank you, Alan Gratz for your short chapters! Each chapter left me wanting more, and because the next chapter was so short I could keep going and going and going. This historical novel was compelling and packed with action. The characters were developed well. It was interesting to see Michael take an interest in the banned books and take up reading mystery novels! Loved the Rex Stout Golden Spiders reference. Simon was a memorable character as well. I'll refrain from elaborating because I don't want to include spoilers. Fritz was an interesting character as well. I am glad their was some complexity to some of the boys in the Hitler Youth. 

© 2017 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

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