Praise for PLAYING WITH MATCHES: “Illuminating.”“Gripping, entirely credible and a page-turner. Recommended.”Heinz Schultz’s word could send a man to prison. Though only a youth of fifteen, he was strong, tall, and blond. The boys in his Deutsches Jungvolk unit esteemed him and feared him.And they wanted to be just like him.Emil Radle wanted to be just like him.A dedicated member of Hitler Youth, … they wanted to be just like him.
Emil Radle wanted to be just like him.
A dedicated member of Hitler Youth, Emil was loyal to the Fuehrer before family, a champion for the cause and a fan of the famous Luftwaffe Airforce.
Emil’s friends Moritz and Johann discover a shortwave radio and everything changes. Now they listen to the forbidden BBC broadcast of news reports that tell both sides. Now they know the truth.
The boys along with Johann’s sister Katharina, band together to write out the reports and covertly distribute flyers through their city. It’s an act of high treason that could have them arrested—or worse.
As the war progresses, so does Emil’s affection for Katharina. He’d do anything to have a normal life and to stay in Passau by her side. But when Germany’s losses become immense, even their greatest resistance can’t prevent the boys from being sent to the Eastern Front.
****Available in German as Gefährliche Zettel****
What readers are saying:
“Using actual real-life stories from those who lived through it, Lee Strauss paints a bleak picture of fear and survival. Her characters seem real and jump right off the page.”
“A real page-turner. If you like a good story and great history, read this book.”
“An interesting perspective from the “other” side of the Holocaust.”
“This is novel is an outstanding novel depicting the viciousness if the Nazi regime….Lee Strauss presents an unbelievable report on child abuse of the children “drafted” to serve the crazy sicko from Bavaria. This is a great read and I highly recommend your reading it.”
“So moving, heartbreaking. A startling reminder of what happens when evil is allowed to bloom.”
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Enjoy reading this well-researched, dramatic story of what it was like to be a teenager in Hitler’s Germany. A slightly different perspective than many world war two novels.
Author Interview
Why did you feel compelled to write Playing with Matches?
It started a few years ago when a friend of ours sat on our couch and started telling us his story from when he was a young teenager in Hitler Youth and what happened to him directly after the war. It was very compelling and told from a different angle than any world war 2 novels that I had seen. Most books and movies tell stories of world war two heroes who were fighter pilots or soldiers in the field. Not many focus on the young people who bravely resisted from inside the ranks of Hitler’s Youth.
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This book was written for Young Adults but is a good read for all ages. As much as I liked this book at times it seemed a bit preachy. I gave consideration to that and realized it was for a YA audience but I don’t like media that tells one how to think or feel. It was not on the level that would have prevented me from reading it but just keep that …
Written from the perspective of those who resided in Germany before the war gained strength. War and Nazism was not always popular with all who lived there.
This is a real eye opener that leaves an impression on those who never realized all was not what it seemed.
a very interesting look into what happened to young boys in WW11 prior to Hitler taking over.
This was a new angle for me, looking at the rise of NAZI Germany through the eyes of a German Child, first with the Pride of Germany and the Party, then once the truth starts to be revealed and the decisions they made to fight against it and to survive.
Very good book about a tragic time in history. Well-written.
The characters were so real and the period of time the story took place, you could feel what they were going through.
The story is interesting, because it is from the perspective of these young Jews who lived with the evil, they knew as Hitler.
Enjoyable. Made me think what it would be like to grow up in pre and post war Germany.
Brilliantly written and very authentic
Great book. Loved it
This is one of the best books I have recently read.. Although a novel, it helped me to recall the World History I studied 50+ years ago.
It made me think about the travesty leading up to and during WW II. They need a new characteristic “Hard to put down” for this book.
4 of 5 stars
Just children affected by Nazis. Eventually drafted to fight while still kids.
I didn’t want it to end..
Not always a fan of historical fiction when it comes to WWII. However, this book is one of the best I’ve read
Remarkable account of children caught up in the Hitler youth and then finding that all was not as they were told. Very enlightening and a real page-turner.
This is an historical fiction novel set around WW II. I love this period of history. This books gives a human interest side of the war that we often don’t hear. The characters are well developed, and you can sometimes feel their emotions.
Crimes against the nation by their leadership. This shouldn’t be forgotten. We should keep being reminded.
See my review on BookBub.