Scan barcode
kelleemoye's review
4.0
*Full review with teaching tools: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=11063
Sophie’s story is one that is not often told. World War II stories often focus on the impact of the Holocaust on the Jewish population of Europe; however, what happened to those in Germany who weren’t Jewish yet the Nazis felt were useless? This story looks at one girls’ version of a story, but Sophie still is “useful” to the Nazis because she is a photographer, but she has to make a choice between taking photographs of what she is told or photographs of the truth about what is going on in Germany.
Much of Sophie’s story is universal: bullying, friendship, family issues, etc., but readers will also learn about the Hitler Youth and the beginning of Hitler’s rise in Germany.
Looking forward to the sequel and seeing what happens with Sophie.
Sophie’s story is one that is not often told. World War II stories often focus on the impact of the Holocaust on the Jewish population of Europe; however, what happened to those in Germany who weren’t Jewish yet the Nazis felt were useless? This story looks at one girls’ version of a story, but Sophie still is “useful” to the Nazis because she is a photographer, but she has to make a choice between taking photographs of what she is told or photographs of the truth about what is going on in Germany.
Much of Sophie’s story is universal: bullying, friendship, family issues, etc., but readers will also learn about the Hitler Youth and the beginning of Hitler’s rise in Germany.
Looking forward to the sequel and seeing what happens with Sophie.
100pagesaday's review
4.0
Fourteen year old Sophie Adler lives in Germany in 1938; she is part of the Hitler Youth. The Hitler Youth train young people on Hitler’s ideals and prepare them to defend their country. Sophie contributes to the Hitler Youth as a photographer. Sophie doesn’t fully agree with all of Hitler’s ideals, and is confused when her Jewish friend and neighbor is sent away. Sophie’s father, who taught her how to take photographs, also does not agree with everything in Nazi Germany; he tells her to take pictures of the whole truth when she is photographing for the Hitler Youth. When Sophie contracts polio, she worries that her disability might cause her to be considered worthless by the regime, luckily her value as a photographer is still useful. She is ordered to take photographs of fellow patients with polio, which are then turned into propaganda. After that, she decides to take her father’s advice and take photos of the whole truth.
Risking Exposure shows a different side of Nazi Germany from a teenaged girl’s point of view. The fact that disabled people were also targeted is often forgotten, Sophie’s story helps to bring this aspect of the time period to light and is historically accurate. Sophie’s character is wonderful; she feels like a real person and has many difficult decisions to make. Sophie finds courage in the hardest of times in order to carry out what is right, even though it would be easier just to do what everybody else in doing and not have to worry about getting in trouble. Through her actions, Sophie is able to show people that everyone has worth and is able to make an impact. The ending is quite abrupt, but very exciting and I believe a sequel is in the works. Overall, Sophie’s story is a good lesson in doing what is right along with a unique look into this time in history from a German girl’s perspective.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Risking Exposure shows a different side of Nazi Germany from a teenaged girl’s point of view. The fact that disabled people were also targeted is often forgotten, Sophie’s story helps to bring this aspect of the time period to light and is historically accurate. Sophie’s character is wonderful; she feels like a real person and has many difficult decisions to make. Sophie finds courage in the hardest of times in order to carry out what is right, even though it would be easier just to do what everybody else in doing and not have to worry about getting in trouble. Through her actions, Sophie is able to show people that everyone has worth and is able to make an impact. The ending is quite abrupt, but very exciting and I believe a sequel is in the works. Overall, Sophie’s story is a good lesson in doing what is right along with a unique look into this time in history from a German girl’s perspective.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
elyse_rn's review
4.0
I've always had an innate fascination and interest with Holocaust novels, and movies. It started in Middle School with things like history class, a visit to the Holocaust exhibit at the museum, and Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. And it didn't stop there -it followed me into High School once again with World History, Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Green, and movies like Schindler's List. So when I find a novel based on that time period I don't hesitate to pick it up.
When I read the blurb for 'Risking Exposure' it instantly piqued my interest, I had never read anything set from the German perspective and reading through the eyes of a young girl in the Hitler Youth truly sold me on this book. I don't believe many people think about how WWII affected the German people, a few years ago I spent quite some time with a patient of mine who was from Germany. She told me a lot about her life and the struggles of her family during the Holocaust. So, to say the least this book really pulled on my heart strings to imagine a child on either side of this war battling things like this while not being able to feel like they can actually 'do' something about it.
In 'Risking Exposure' we meet Sophie Adler while she's attending a Hitlerjugend meeting with her Jungmädel troop in Munich, Germany. The Hitlerjugend also known as the HJ, were the Hitler Youth. You can tell from the very beginning that Sophie questions what is going on around her and doesn't accept the Nazi teachings because her troop leaders say so, while her older brother Klaus couldn't be any more gung-ho about it all. Sophie is always armed with her trusty camera preparing to be the official Youth photographer for their region. When she contracts polio she soon finds a very different side to what her troop is doing, and finds a way to make a difference.
This book felt like I was reading a biography, the characters and story were all very real. Risking Exposure was certainly geared towards young adults, but this story captivated me from the beginning til the end - so it most certainly can hold the attention of an adult audience. I don't want to spoil too much, but the anticipation at the end of this book was killing me. I was flipping pages almost faster than I could read them and then it just ended! IT JUST ENDED. No resolution, it was just over!
Thankfully I have been reassured by the author that a sequel is in the works.
When I read the blurb for 'Risking Exposure' it instantly piqued my interest, I had never read anything set from the German perspective and reading through the eyes of a young girl in the Hitler Youth truly sold me on this book. I don't believe many people think about how WWII affected the German people, a few years ago I spent quite some time with a patient of mine who was from Germany. She told me a lot about her life and the struggles of her family during the Holocaust. So, to say the least this book really pulled on my heart strings to imagine a child on either side of this war battling things like this while not being able to feel like they can actually 'do' something about it.
In 'Risking Exposure' we meet Sophie Adler while she's attending a Hitlerjugend meeting with her Jungmädel troop in Munich, Germany. The Hitlerjugend also known as the HJ, were the Hitler Youth. You can tell from the very beginning that Sophie questions what is going on around her and doesn't accept the Nazi teachings because her troop leaders say so, while her older brother Klaus couldn't be any more gung-ho about it all. Sophie is always armed with her trusty camera preparing to be the official Youth photographer for their region. When she contracts polio she soon finds a very different side to what her troop is doing, and finds a way to make a difference.
This book felt like I was reading a biography, the characters and story were all very real. Risking Exposure was certainly geared towards young adults, but this story captivated me from the beginning til the end - so it most certainly can hold the attention of an adult audience. I don't want to spoil too much, but the anticipation at the end of this book was killing me. I was flipping pages almost faster than I could read them and then it just ended! IT JUST ENDED. No resolution, it was just over!
Thankfully I have been reassured by the author that a sequel is in the works.
lydiakach75's review against another edition
4.0
Stan Rennie and Erich for being icons and honest. Best character is Erich's dog.
jillmwald's review against another edition
3.0
Last book of 2014! Interested to see where this one leads, goodreads says there is already a sequel in progress.
witchyreader13's review
4.0
A quick & meaningful read, but I felt as if it ended abruptly. I wanted to know how things would turn out for Sophie. Perhaps there will be a second book?
More...