Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (2015), 208 pages
Description
"The true story of a group of boy resistance fighters in Denmark after the Nazi invasion"-- "At the outset of World War II, Denmark did not resist German occupation. Deeply ashamed of his nation's leaders, fifteen-year-old Knud Pedersen resolved with his brother and a handful of schoolmates to take action against the Nazis if the adults would not. Naming their secret club after the fiery British leader, the young patriots in the Churchill Club committed countless acts of sabotage, infuriating the Germans, who eventually had the boys tracked down and arrested. But their efforts were not in vain: the boys' exploits and eventual imprisonment helped spark a full-blown Danish resistance. Interweaving his own narrative with the recollections of Knud himself, here is Phil Hoose's inspiring story of these young war heroes"--… (more)
Media reviews
MILLER LANG
Can I just say that historical fiction is so underrated? The writer, Philip Hoose, highlights a group of boys that is unfamiliar in history classes and other archival novels. Hoose portrays the Churchill Club as determined and undaunting in the mission to take down the Nazis in their area. As
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Hitler's forces become stronger, the young men just become braver and more heroic Overall, this novel brings to life the hardships and situations of the people faced during World War 2. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member swingdancefan
When Germany invaded Denmark in WWII, Denmark didn't resist. Their government thought to protect their people by allowing Germany to take over. It did prevent loss of life, and the Danish people were able to live their lives more-or-less normally. In neighboring Norway, it was a different story.
Not every Dane was happy with their government's decision, and that's where this relatively unknown story comes in. Knud and Jens Pedersen, mere schoolboys, got some friends together and began actively sabotaging their German occupiers. When they were finally found, arrested, and imprisoned, the movement grew and spread. This book is the story of "The Churchill Club," those schoolboys who set off a movement in their nation.
The story is told in both the third-person, with supporting historical research, and in first-person by Knud himself, as well as a few others. There are also photographs and illustrations.
Possible objectionable material: Many, if not all, of the boys smoke. They are imprisoned and poorly treated. They set things on fire. General hooliganism, but for a purpose.
Who might like it: Anyone interested in WWII history, especially those parts that are not as well-known. Girls are minor characters in the book, but do have a presence. The book is aimed at ages 12-18.
Thanks to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy.
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The Norwegians resisted, tooth and nail.Not every Dane was happy with their government's decision, and that's where this relatively unknown story comes in. Knud and Jens Pedersen, mere schoolboys, got some friends together and began actively sabotaging their German occupiers. When they were finally found, arrested, and imprisoned, the movement grew and spread. This book is the story of "The Churchill Club," those schoolboys who set off a movement in their nation.
The story is told in both the third-person, with supporting historical research, and in first-person by Knud himself, as well as a few others. There are also photographs and illustrations.
Possible objectionable material: Many, if not all, of the boys smoke. They are imprisoned and poorly treated. They set things on fire. General hooliganism, but for a purpose.
Who might like it: Anyone interested in WWII history, especially those parts that are not as well-known. Girls are minor characters in the book, but do have a presence. The book is aimed at ages 12-18.
Thanks to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy.
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LibraryThing member jackiewark
The Boys Who Challenged Hitler: Knud Pedersen and the Churchill Club is an amazing factual story about determined and loyal young men who risked their lives to thwart Hitler's efforts in Denmark. Knud, his brother Jens, and a handful of other Danish teenagers took it upon themselves to defy Hitler
Eventually they were caught and imprisoned, but that did not deter their efforts. Their bravery and determination empowered other citizens to take up where they left off and when they were released from prison, they found Denmark and Danish citizens changed...for the better.
This non-fiction narrative is exceptionally researched and written. All of these real-life characters are important to us. Their story is amazing and beyond courageous...it is a little-known fact about WWII that every student of history should know about.
Includes a bibliography, notes, acknowledgements, illustrative credits, and index. I both read and listened to the audio of the book and while the audio is excellent...the book offers numerous photographs and other illustrations important to the story.
Thank you to LibraryThing Early Reviewers, Phillip Hoose, Recorded Books and Farrar Straus Giroux for the excellent work.
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and upon doing so, bring back some honor to the country. Humiliated and ashamed of the Danish government by not resisting Hitler's occupation of their country, the young men, led by Knud, used what means they had available, to sabotage Germany's takeover. Stealing German munitions, destroying German occupied buildings, recruiting more resisters, and taking risks at every turn, were only some of the tactics they used to circumvent German efforts. Eventually they were caught and imprisoned, but that did not deter their efforts. Their bravery and determination empowered other citizens to take up where they left off and when they were released from prison, they found Denmark and Danish citizens changed...for the better.
This non-fiction narrative is exceptionally researched and written. All of these real-life characters are important to us. Their story is amazing and beyond courageous...it is a little-known fact about WWII that every student of history should know about.
Includes a bibliography, notes, acknowledgements, illustrative credits, and index. I both read and listened to the audio of the book and while the audio is excellent...the book offers numerous photographs and other illustrations important to the story.
Thank you to LibraryThing Early Reviewers, Phillip Hoose, Recorded Books and Farrar Straus Giroux for the excellent work.
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LibraryThing member bogreader
Denmark accepted German occupation at the start of WWII in part because the citizens did not want to fight in the war. Teens in Denmark heard about Nazi atrocities on BBC broadcasts and saw the changes the German occupiers brought to Denmark. Using Norway and Britain as models, Danish young adults
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sabotaged German vehicles, stole guns and ammunition, and burned factories. The Churchill Club, a group of schoolboys set against the Nazis, committed risky acts that led to the arrest of several members. This interesting story could use more background material. For instance, what characteristics made the Nazis worth resisting? What risks were the club members taking outside of punitive actions by the authorities? Despite the lack of context, the book as a whole is interesting and informative. This book would be good as part of a high school course about WWII. Show Less
LibraryThing member KamGeb
This is a true story about teenage boys who became saboteurs against the German occupiers. I was hoping that the story would read like a novel, but it reads like non-fiction. Even so the story is fascinating. I really had a hard time putting it down. While the main character isn't necessarily
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likable, he is admirable and awe-inspiring. I kept thinking this would be a great book for middle schoolers to read as they study WWII because the boys were only in middle school when the war started and they decided to become saboteurs. Show Less
LibraryThing member tlvasquez
The Boys who Challenged Hitler: Knud Pedersen and the Churchill Club is the true account of several Danish middle and high school boys who chose to fight their Nazi Occupiers in any way possible. Told in first person by Knud Pderesen, one of the last surviving Churchill Club members, to Phillip
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Hoose, American writer, the narrative of the boys' exploits will keep you in suspense as they move from simple graffiti to acts of serious sabotage. Fighting not only the Nazis but what the boys perceive as the shameful apathy of the Danes who submitted to occupation rather than risk destruction, the narrative doesn't slip from the attitudes and thought-processes of young boys: single-minded and reckless. Eventually, the exploits of a small determined group will inspire an entire nation to take up arms and resist. This book belongs in any collection of World War Two. Show Less
LibraryThing member anyanwubutler
6/17/15 2015 narrated by the author and Michael Braun pub 2015 What a total delight this non-fiction story is! I found myself looking forward to driving so I could listen to more of this audio book.
Though I read widely about World War II, both fiction and non-fiction, I had never heard of the
They were eventually arrested and imprisoned, but their bravery encouraged the Danish people to also do sabotage and resist. I received this from Recorded Books, Inc and Library Thing Early Reviewer 6/12/15. Thank you Library Thing and Recorded Books!
Though I read widely about World War II, both fiction and non-fiction, I had never heard of the
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Churchill Club. Humiliated by their government and king, for putting up no fight when the Nazis came, these teenage boys of the Churchill Club, and before it the RAF club, engaged in acts of sabotage, theft and mischief on Nazis. They repainted direction signs, they broke into offices and defaced Hitler’s portrait, they stole guns, and rifles the Nazis left laying about, even though they didn’t know how to shoot them. They did all this on their bicycles during broad daylight, because their parents gave them curfews. They were eventually arrested and imprisoned, but their bravery encouraged the Danish people to also do sabotage and resist. I received this from Recorded Books, Inc and Library Thing Early Reviewer 6/12/15. Thank you Library Thing and Recorded Books!
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LibraryThing member AyaF
I am reviewing the audiobook version of this book, provided through the Early Review program.
This book tells the story of a group of teenage saboteurs who challenged Nazi soldiers in Denmark . Inspired by Winston Churchill and a desire to spark an uprising among his fellow countrymen, Knud
The audiobook consistences of two narrators Phillip Hoose (the author) and Michael Braun (representing Knud Petersen). While both narrators have good voices Michael Braun (the narrator speaking for Knud Petersen) has a better speaking style, projecting a lot of emotion in his voice during critical points in the story and speaking clear throughout the narration. At times the narrative changes can be confusing (both narrators provide different aspects of the same story) but the voices are so distinctly different that you won't confuse one speaker for the other.
This book tells the story of a group of teenage saboteurs who challenged Nazi soldiers in Denmark . Inspired by Winston Churchill and a desire to spark an uprising among his fellow countrymen, Knud
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Petersen started a small resistance effort that grew and influenced later resistance movements in Denmark.The audiobook consistences of two narrators Phillip Hoose (the author) and Michael Braun (representing Knud Petersen). While both narrators have good voices Michael Braun (the narrator speaking for Knud Petersen) has a better speaking style, projecting a lot of emotion in his voice during critical points in the story and speaking clear throughout the narration. At times the narrative changes can be confusing (both narrators provide different aspects of the same story) but the voices are so distinctly different that you won't confuse one speaker for the other.
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LibraryThing member robenc
I loved this story about a group of teenaged boys who chose to stand up to Hitler's occupation of Denmark by sabotaging anything they could and stealing as many weapons as possible. Their actions helped to prod the rest of the country into action against the Nazis. This would make a great
I received a copy of the audiobook from Recorded Books. It is not my favorite recording - but once I got into the story, I did not want to stop listening.
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read-aloud in 5th - 8th grade classrooms because it offers tremendous opportunities for discussion. And while it gets off to a bit of a slow start, it will rapidly have you sitting on the edge of your seat to see what happens to the boys in the Churchill Club. It could also be paired with Lowry's "Number the Stars" and/or "The War that Saved My Life" by Bradley. I received a copy of the audiobook from Recorded Books. It is not my favorite recording - but once I got into the story, I did not want to stop listening.
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LibraryThing member jackiewark
The Boys Who Challenged Hitler: Knud Pedersen and the Churchill Club is an amazing factual story about determined and loyal young men who risked their lives to thwart Hitler's efforts in Denmark. Knud, his brother Jens, and a handful of other Danish teenagers took it upon themselves to defy Hitler
Eventually they were caught and imprisoned, but that did not deter their efforts. Their bravery and determination empowered other citizens to take up where they left off and when they were released from prison, they found Denmark and Danish citizens changed...for the better.
This non-fiction narrative is exceptionally researched and written. All of these real-life characters are important to us. Their story is amazing and beyond courageous...it is a little-known fact about WWII that every student of history should know about.
Includes a bibliography, notes, acknowledgements, illustrative credits, and index. I both read and listened to the audio of the book and while the audio is excellent...the book offers numerous photographs and other illustrations important to the story.
Thank you to LibraryThing Early Reviewers, Phillip Hoose, Recorded Books and Farrar Straus Giroux for the excellent work.
Show More
and upon doing so, bring back some honor to the country. Humiliated and ashamed of the Danish government by not resisting Hitler's occupation of their country, the young men, led by Knud, used what means they had available, to sabotage Germany's takeover. Stealing German munitions, destroying German occupied buildings, recruiting more resisters, and taking risks at every turn, were only some of the tactics they used to circumvent German efforts. Eventually they were caught and imprisoned, but that did not deter their efforts. Their bravery and determination empowered other citizens to take up where they left off and when they were released from prison, they found Denmark and Danish citizens changed...for the better.
This non-fiction narrative is exceptionally researched and written. All of these real-life characters are important to us. Their story is amazing and beyond courageous...it is a little-known fact about WWII that every student of history should know about.
Includes a bibliography, notes, acknowledgements, illustrative credits, and index. I both read and listened to the audio of the book and while the audio is excellent...the book offers numerous photographs and other illustrations important to the story.
Thank you to LibraryThing Early Reviewers, Phillip Hoose, Recorded Books and Farrar Straus Giroux for the excellent work.
Show Less
LibraryThing member EuronerdLibrarian
It’s quite the story—these teenage boys fighting back when their country won’t. Highlighted parts of World War II and the resistance I didn’t know much about. A pretty easy read.
LibraryThing member jreinhart
Very interesting to listen to this. Nice performance. Excited to learn more about this topic.
LibraryThing member rgruberexcel
RGG: Award winning biography of the Darwins. Integrating science, theology, and cultural and domestic history, this is in-depth, but readable nonfiction. The complexity of the science and historical cultural references makes this more appropriate for older adolescents. Reading Interest: YA.
LibraryThing member acargile
A true story, this literary non-fiction is fascinating!
On April 9, 1940, German planes dropped leaflets to the people of Denmark explaining that they were now a “protectorate” of Germany. Germany moved 16,000 soldiers onto Danish soil in one day. Knud Pedersen was appalled. He felt that the
Knud, his brother Jens, and several other boys from their school decide to form a resistance. They organize themselves into four departments. The propaganda department would use blue paint to write anti-German messages around the town as graffiti, particularly on German trucks. The technical department would produce bombs and explosives in order to blow up buildings where Germans worked and lived. Mogens Fjellerup, the “Professor,” is so good at science that the school gives him a key to the science lab. They have what they need at their disposal; if not, they will steal from the Germans. The sabotage department would commit the acts of sabotage. The last group was the passive department; they weren’t willing to commit sabotage, but they would raise money and get support from others.
The boys are eventually captured and spend time in prison. Because of their works, the people of Denmark find the courage to fight back and form a larger Resistance. Knud tells most of the story to the author over a year’s time, but he died in December of 2014, just when the book was completed. The book begins, “For young people everywhere who find the courage to make up their own minds.” You’ll find Knud Pedersen was a boy who knew his own mind and was beyond courageous. Even in prison, they were not cowered but sought escape. I found the book captivating and think you will as well. I highly recommend it.
On April 9, 1940, German planes dropped leaflets to the people of Denmark explaining that they were now a “protectorate” of Germany. Germany moved 16,000 soldiers onto Danish soil in one day. Knud Pedersen was appalled. He felt that the
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Danes should fight back against the Nazis, but King Christian X and the government had allowed Germany to take over so that there would be no bloodshed. The Norwegians were fighting back, and Knud felt that death was worth the consequence of fighting against the Nazis. Many Danes saw the relationship with the Germans as advantageous: they could make money and keep peace without loss of life.Knud, his brother Jens, and several other boys from their school decide to form a resistance. They organize themselves into four departments. The propaganda department would use blue paint to write anti-German messages around the town as graffiti, particularly on German trucks. The technical department would produce bombs and explosives in order to blow up buildings where Germans worked and lived. Mogens Fjellerup, the “Professor,” is so good at science that the school gives him a key to the science lab. They have what they need at their disposal; if not, they will steal from the Germans. The sabotage department would commit the acts of sabotage. The last group was the passive department; they weren’t willing to commit sabotage, but they would raise money and get support from others.
The boys are eventually captured and spend time in prison. Because of their works, the people of Denmark find the courage to fight back and form a larger Resistance. Knud tells most of the story to the author over a year’s time, but he died in December of 2014, just when the book was completed. The book begins, “For young people everywhere who find the courage to make up their own minds.” You’ll find Knud Pedersen was a boy who knew his own mind and was beyond courageous. Even in prison, they were not cowered but sought escape. I found the book captivating and think you will as well. I highly recommend it.
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LibraryThing member samseabornesq
Simple, well illustrated (period photography) introduction to WWII era Denmark and resistance against the NAZI occupation.
LibraryThing member Susan.Macura
This is the story of how a group of teenage boys in Denmark grew intolerant of their country’s acceptance of Hitler and the Nazis’ control in their country without a fight. Desperate to do something, they started a campaign of sabotage, with increasingly amazing results until their inevitable
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capture. However, their capture awakened the soul of their countrymen, many who continued their work, helping to lead to Hitler’s downfall. This book was completed shortly before Pedersen’s death and is a tribute to how even a group of kids can make a difference. Show Less
LibraryThing member asomers
This is a very interesting account of Danish Restance fighters during World War II. It would be intersting to read along with Number the Stars.
LibraryThing member 2wonderY
Hoose was able to gather the story firsthand from Knud Pedersen. He worked closely with him throughout the writing process, and came away with a very creditable account, neither downplaying or mythicizing the group's activities and accomplishments. Well done!
LibraryThing member jothebookgirl
The Boys Who Chalkenger zhitler: Knud Pederson and the Churchill Club by Phillip Hoose
It’s 1940, the dawn of World War II. Demark is under German attack. Very few are fighting back, taking a stand or doing anything other than watching on the sidelines and seeing disaster unfold. Knud Pedersen is
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15 years old and wonders why the homeland is allowing the Germans to take over. Well, this influx of Germans is actually helping the economy as the Germans have money and need and want nice things. But Knud will not fall without a fight.Pedersen got a group together, and anyone who was willing to prove that they stood for Denmark’s freedom was gladly accepted. Their mission? Sabotage. They destroyed Nazi vehicles with homemade explosives, stole German weapons and tagged their city with messages of resistance. They did this in broad daylight, using bicycles for transportation. They were after all just young boys and had curfews.
The group of young men --- most no older than 15 --- started a movement to prove their worth to anyone who stood against them, and they became a symbol of Danish pride. At their peak, they were loved by proud locals and despised by Axis sympathizers. They were the superheroes fighting for freedom in their own way. They looked the enemy right in the eye and proved that they weren’t afraid. It’s because of people like them that history played out the way it did, and the world is forever grateful.
I smiled and enjoyed reading how the young boys were able to outsmart these highly trained Natzi's.
I held my breath when they had mortar shells but didn't know how to use them. No internet yet. So they took them apart to get the gunpowder. There was none. They did notice a small disk at the bottom of the mortar. So....... They lit it! No one was hurt, but it was by miracle alone.
This is a thrilling nonfiction book.
Publication Date: May 12, 2015
Genres: History, Nonfiction, Young Adult 12
Hardcover: 208
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LibraryThing member KatherineGregg
The story of the Churchill Club, a group of teenage resistance fighters from Denmark, is told through a first hand account of Knud Petersen, a surviving member of the Churchill Club, and supplemented by background history and information by author Phillip Hoose. The Germans occupy Denmark in a
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single day on April 9, 1944. While Norway fought and resisted the occupation, the Danes didn't put up a fight. The Churchill Club, proudly named after Prime Minister Churchill who was leading the fight against the Nazis, was a group of school aged boys who become the first resistance fighters in Denmark. Show Less
LibraryThing member reader1009
children's nonfiction (Danish teens sabotage Nazi operations in occupied Denmark, then go to jail). I'm glad this story was told, but that was it--basically an 89-year-old's recollections of what he and his colleagues did in the 1940s. I feel like there could've been a lot more (like if Steve
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Sheinkin started digging into it, he could've wrote more about what the Danes knew about Nazis as opposed to those who were in denial about what they were doing and more about the other rebel activity after the Churchill Club was jailed, etc.) but I am glad that this story did get told before all the teens in questions passed away. So maybe not the most outstanding kids' nonfic I've read this year, but a good addition to a library collection, particularly for those younger readers who are interested in Anne Frank, etc.. Show Less
Awards
Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (Honor — Fiction — 2015)
BCCB Blue Ribbon Book (Nonfiction — 2015)
Utah Beehive Book Award (Nominee — Informational Books — 2017)
Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award (Nominee — 2018)
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — Grades 6-8 — 2018)
Lupine Award (Honor — Juvenile/Young Adult — 2015)
Vermont Golden Dome Book Award (Nominee — 2017)
Oregon Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — 2018)
South Dakota Teen Choice Book Awards (Nominee — 2017)
Grand Canyon Reader Award (Nominee — 2018)
NCSLMA Battle of the Books (Middle School — 2020)
Virginia Readers' Choice (Nominee — Middle School — 2018)
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal (Honor Book — 2016)
Volunteer State Book Award (Nominee — High School — 2019)
Rhode Island Teen Book Award (Nominee — 2017)
YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction (Nominee — 2016)
CCBC Choices (2016)
Notable Children's Book (Older Readers — 2016)
Nerdy Book Award (2015)
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Teens (Nonfiction — 2015)
Teacher Favorites Award (2016)
New York Public Library Best Books: For Teens (Nonfiction — 2015)
OYAN Book Rave (2016)
Texas Lone Star Reading List (2016)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
208 p.; 6.44 inches
ISBN
0374300224 / 9780374300227