logo

43 pages 1 hour read

The Boy Who Dared

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2008

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Susan Campbell Bartoletti

The Boy Who Dared

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2008
Book Details
Pages

192

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Germany • 1940s

Publication Year

2008

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

9-12 years

Lexile Level

760L

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti is a historical fiction novel based on the life of Helmuth Hübener, a German teenager who defies the Nazis during WWII. The story alternates between Helmuth's last day on death row and his memories, depicting his growing realization of the dangers of Nazi propaganda and the importance of resisting misinformation. The novel addresses themes of individual courage and moral responsibility. Sensitive topics include execution, torture, and the persecution of Jewish individuals.

Challenging

Inspirational

Dark

Emotional

Mysterious

Reviews & Readership

4.3

16,243 ratings

75%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti receives praise for its compelling narrative and historical accuracy, making it a valuable read for young audiences interested in World War II. However, some readers find the pacing slow and the character development lacking. Overall, it’s a thought-provoking story that illuminates the courage required to stand against oppression.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Boy Who Dared?

A reader who appreciates The Boy Who Dared would likely be interested in historical fiction centered on World War II, with a focus on resistance and moral courage. Comparable to readers of The Book Thief by Markus Zusak or Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, they seek poignant stories about young protagonists confronting tyranny.

4.3

16,243 ratings

75%

Loved it

19%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

192

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Germany • 1940s

Publication Year

2008

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

9-12 years

Lexile Level

760L

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.