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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Well written compelling story told from an unusual perspective….
Good depiction of WWII Germany
I almost skipped this book because I do not generally like stories about WWII. So glad I took the time to read it because it is one of the best, most interesting books I have read in ages. The characters are extremely realistic and the look into life in Germany during the war years was actually very interesting. This is an author I look …
This was an Historical read set in WW2 Germany. Three teanagers at first think that joining Hitler Youth is a great thing. After being in it for awhile they realize that it isn’t as good as fit thought. Neighbors are being taken away and nobody knows why. Things escalate and pretty soon their mothers are put to working 16 hours a day in a …
Well-written , from the viewpoint of a young boy, growing up in Nazi Germany.
Strauss’ Playing With Matches series should be a must read for high school juniors and seniors. The books accurately detail what it was like as a Gentile German child in the days leading up to, during, & after WWII. I cannot fathom having to make decisions like the ones Emil, Johann, & Katharine did while in their early teens. Likewise I cannot …
I really like WW2 historical fiction and the story part of this was good. However, there was so much factual info just dropped in, not really worked into the story, that it wasn’t as story-like. I wish everything had flowed together better.
Informative, haunting & believable.
At a tragic time in world history, Emil and his family were living a simple life in the small Bavarian town of Passau and were thrust into the nightmare of Hitler’s Germany. Faith, hope, God’s protection and provision are strong themes that are woven into a very worthwhile read.
I like to read about history. It was interesting and entertaining. I especially appreciated that the author kept the language clean and the characters had morals. I could enjoy reading the story without being subjected to offensive words and details of sexual exploits. I enjoyed reading it.
Great book, engrossing true to life story from WW2.
This book really brought home how people in war-torn areas suffer daily – much more than the news is able to depict. Definitely a page turner with very realistic descriptive writing.
Much enjoyed this book, easy read and entertaining
Interesting perspective of WWII Germany.
It was tragic, but very true in pre WWII Germany
This was a glimpse into the life of a German family and how they endured the hardships of a war they didn’t want. It took you with the eldest son to training camp and when the war started to go wrong for Hitler, into the army while still a young teenager. It also told how Hitler took all the food produced by the towns to feed the troops, …
This was an interesting perspective from a child’s point of view
Basic plot with little drive To finish reading. Will not ready author again most likely.
Ok, but it is yet another story of the hideous effects of the Nazis in their own citizens.
It was an easy read. A little over the top but not too bad.