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A review by jenbsbooks
The Boys Who Challenged Hitler: Knud Pedersen and the Churchill Club by Phillip Hoose
4.25
This was a random grab at a library sale (for my Little Free Library). I checked Goodreads and saw the ratings were good. I figured I'd give it a quick read before letting it go. As I'm a digi-girl, I grabbed the audio and kindle copies, easily available from the library.
Phillip Hoose is the author, and he has 3rd person(past tense) portions giving background to the situation, then shifts to Knud Pedersen, not listed as an author, but written (and narrated) as straight from his mouth (1st person/past tense). In the audio, they had two narrators to differentiate (which I appreciated).
The physical/Kindle copies also have quite a few illustrations. Maps, photos, notes, etc. Also sections where the text is set apart. While the audio was good/fine, I wonder if a text copy is the way to go (or both, as I often do). There was a little song/lyrics ... just spoken in audio. Also, as often happens in Audible books (I didn't double check Libby/Hoopla) but this had an intro (part of the story, I fear people skip "intros") which is listed as Chapter1, which then throws everything off, (chapter 1 is then listed as chapter 2 in the audio TOC).
There was a "Notes" section which further clarified Knud's first person account (taken from interviews and emails and Knud's earlier published writings). I always find it interesting to have any and all information on the background/creation of the book, what is fact, etc. There was a full bibliography as well. Taking into consideration how an individual's memory may not be exact, I thought the documentation and presentation here was top notch.
There are SO MANY WW2 books, from different perspectives, countries, peoples. I feel like there's always a little more to learn. Here I think the main take-away for me was how Denmark and Norway handled the invasions (Denmark accepting it, much to the dismay of many, and Norway fighting), and how some people (kids) stepped up anyway. A lot of it was narrative/informative, but it was enough of a story to keep my attention. My boys are older now, but this is one I definitely would have recommended if they'd had to read a book for school (and could choose).
I don't know if I will put this in the little library after all ... I think I might add it to my personal collection.
Phillip Hoose is the author, and he has 3rd person(past tense) portions giving background to the situation, then shifts to Knud Pedersen, not listed as an author, but written (and narrated) as straight from his mouth (1st person/past tense). In the audio, they had two narrators to differentiate (which I appreciated).
The physical/Kindle copies also have quite a few illustrations. Maps, photos, notes, etc. Also sections where the text is set apart. While the audio was good/fine, I wonder if a text copy is the way to go (or both, as I often do). There was a little song/lyrics ... just spoken in audio. Also, as often happens in Audible books (I didn't double check Libby/Hoopla) but this had an intro (part of the story, I fear people skip "intros") which is listed as Chapter1, which then throws everything off, (chapter 1 is then listed as chapter 2 in the audio TOC).
There was a "Notes" section which further clarified Knud's first person account (taken from interviews and emails and Knud's earlier published writings). I always find it interesting to have any and all information on the background/creation of the book, what is fact, etc. There was a full bibliography as well. Taking into consideration how an individual's memory may not be exact, I thought the documentation and presentation here was top notch.
There are SO MANY WW2 books, from different perspectives, countries, peoples. I feel like there's always a little more to learn. Here I think the main take-away for me was how Denmark and Norway handled the invasions (Denmark accepting it, much to the dismay of many, and Norway fighting), and how some people (kids) stepped up anyway. A lot of it was narrative/informative, but it was enough of a story to keep my attention. My boys are older now, but this is one I definitely would have recommended if they'd had to read a book for school (and could choose).
I don't know if I will put this in the little library after all ... I think I might add it to my personal collection.