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War Games
A new Alan Gratz novel is always a major event! From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Refugee and Heroes comes this heart-pounding, high-stakes take on the 1936 Berlin Olympics, also known as the "Nazi Olympics."
All that glitters is not gold...
Evie can't believe she's made it to the 1936 Berlin Olympics. After fleeing the Oklahoma Dust Bowl, Evie's family is still poor and reeling from devastating losses. She could have never guessed that the sport she took up to escape her reality would lead to this.
Now, she's competing in gymnastics on Team USA, with some of the greatest athletes in the world like track and field star Jesse Owens.
But all is not as it seems in Berlin, a city now ruled by the Nazis and their tyrannical leader, Adolf Hitler.
And Evie has secrets of her own. With two other Olympic athletes, who each have their own reasons for despising the Nazis, Evie has been recruited for the biggest heist of the century by a mysterious criminal mastermind, who intends on robbing the Nazis right under their noses.
But Evie didn't count on being stuck with an inquisitive Youth Services Host, Heinz, who is determined to follow her every step while concealing his own deadly secret. And she didn't count on discovering the truth behind all of the glittering fanfare of the the Nazis are harshly persecuting Jewish people and preparing for a devastating war.
When the time comes, Evie is forced to face the reality around her, and the horrors that the Nazis can't quite hide. She must learn how to see the truth beneath the mirage and choose between what's right -- and what might cost her everything.
All that glitters is not gold...
Evie can't believe she's made it to the 1936 Berlin Olympics. After fleeing the Oklahoma Dust Bowl, Evie's family is still poor and reeling from devastating losses. She could have never guessed that the sport she took up to escape her reality would lead to this.
Now, she's competing in gymnastics on Team USA, with some of the greatest athletes in the world like track and field star Jesse Owens.
But all is not as it seems in Berlin, a city now ruled by the Nazis and their tyrannical leader, Adolf Hitler.
And Evie has secrets of her own. With two other Olympic athletes, who each have their own reasons for despising the Nazis, Evie has been recruited for the biggest heist of the century by a mysterious criminal mastermind, who intends on robbing the Nazis right under their noses.
But Evie didn't count on being stuck with an inquisitive Youth Services Host, Heinz, who is determined to follow her every step while concealing his own deadly secret. And she didn't count on discovering the truth behind all of the glittering fanfare of the the Nazis are harshly persecuting Jewish people and preparing for a devastating war.
When the time comes, Evie is forced to face the reality around her, and the horrors that the Nazis can't quite hide. She must learn how to see the truth beneath the mirage and choose between what's right -- and what might cost her everything.
368 pages, Hardcover
Published October 7, 2025
289 people are currently reading
3981 people want to read
About the author
Alan Gratz
48 books4,778 followersAlan Gratz is the bestselling author of a number of novels for young readers. His 2017 novel Refugee has spent more than two years on the New York Times bestseller list, and is the winner of 14 state awards. Its other accolades include the Sydney Taylor Book Award, the National Jewish Book Award, the Cybils Middle Grade Fiction Award, a Charlotte Huck Award Honor, and a Malka Penn Award for Human Rights Honor. Refugee was also a Global Read Aloud Book for 2018.
Alan’s novel Grenade debuted at number three on the New York Times bestseller list, and his most recent book, Allies, debuted at number two on the list and received four starred reviews. His other books include Prisoner B-3087, which was a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Readers pick and winner of eight state awards; Projekt 1065, a Kirkus Best Middle Grade Book of 2016 and winner of five state awards; Code of Honor, a YALSA Quick Pick for Young Readers; and Ban This Book, which was featured by Whoopi Goldberg on The View.
Alan has traveled extensively to talk about his books, appearing at schools and book festivals in 39 states and a half-dozen countries, including Brazil, Canada, China, Indonesia, Japan, and Switzerland, and has been a Writer in Residence at Tokyo’s American School in Japan, the James Thurber House in Columbus, Ohio, and the Jakarta Intercultural School in Indonesia.
Alan was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, home of the 1982 World’s Fair. After a carefree but humid childhood, Alan attended the University of Tennessee, where he earned a College Scholars degree with a specialization in creative writing, and, later, a Master’s degree in English education. He now lives with his family in Asheville, North Carolina, where he enjoys playing games, eating pizza, and, perhaps not too surprisingly, reading books.
Alan’s novel Grenade debuted at number three on the New York Times bestseller list, and his most recent book, Allies, debuted at number two on the list and received four starred reviews. His other books include Prisoner B-3087, which was a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Readers pick and winner of eight state awards; Projekt 1065, a Kirkus Best Middle Grade Book of 2016 and winner of five state awards; Code of Honor, a YALSA Quick Pick for Young Readers; and Ban This Book, which was featured by Whoopi Goldberg on The View.
Alan has traveled extensively to talk about his books, appearing at schools and book festivals in 39 states and a half-dozen countries, including Brazil, Canada, China, Indonesia, Japan, and Switzerland, and has been a Writer in Residence at Tokyo’s American School in Japan, the James Thurber House in Columbus, Ohio, and the Jakarta Intercultural School in Indonesia.
Alan was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, home of the 1982 World’s Fair. After a carefree but humid childhood, Alan attended the University of Tennessee, where he earned a College Scholars degree with a specialization in creative writing, and, later, a Master’s degree in English education. He now lives with his family in Asheville, North Carolina, where he enjoys playing games, eating pizza, and, perhaps not too surprisingly, reading books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
December 3, 2025
A disappointing middle grade book that promotes an immoral sexual ideology to its young audience.
✏️ Review ✏️
I've always enjoyed pretty much every Alan Gratz historical fiction read. But, sadly, War Games proved to be a major disappointment due to the inclusion of obvious LGBTQ+ sexual content. Besides that, the combination of an inconsistent and somewhat annoying MC, an unrealistic plot structure, and a pervasive 21st century atmosphere in a 1930s setting further makes War Games a let down.
In this book marketed to middle graders, Gratz explicitly promotes and subsequently praises homosexual lifestyles (see Random Comments below for details). It's sad and disappointing to see one of the best contemporary MG historical fiction authors pushing an immoral sexual narrative on a middle grade audience — readers whose discernment capabilities are virtually nonexistent at such a young age. It's one thing to teach middle graders with decorum that homosexuals were wrongfully treated under the Nazi's regime, but it's quite an entirely different thing to write a story for young readers that seeks to normalize, endorse, and champion homosexuality by including an explicitly same-sex relationship under the guise of historical accuracy. Sexual content such as this has no business being in middle grade books.
Now to discuss the literary elements. Evie, the narrating MC, comes across as inconsistent and somewhat annoying within the first several chapters. Here she's competing in the 1936 Olympics. For the most part, she's having a great time. But then she accepts an offer to go rob like the biggest bank in Nazi Germany (really!?). Yeah, this decision seems far-fetched and completely inconsistent with Evie's character. While Evie does have some minor on-page thought-processing about her decision, it would have been nice to have more substantial character development highlighting how she went from not wanting to rob a foreign bank to all of a sudden wanting to risk her life doing this. This lack of thought made her character inconsistent and, unfortunately, somewhat unrealistic and annoying. Also, for a character who lives in the early 1930s — an era where homosexuality was practically unheard of and looked down upon by society in general — Evie accepts and praises homosexual relationships unnrealistically quickly. So after this point in the story, her character took on an unseemly 21st century persona which destroyed much of the historical setting in War Games. (And as an aside: Will middle graders [perhaps young as nine- or eight-year-olds] have the discernment to mentally draw the line between the sympathy and connection they feel for Evie's character and her biblically objectionable endorsement and praise of homosexuality? Unless they have a solid biblical foundation, I think most will not, which is why the sexual ideological tones of War Games is even more serious — either the reader has the critical thinking to separate the positive from the subtle negative traits in Evie's character or the reader will unwittingly view Evie's endorsement of homosexuality as acceptably good, thereby becoming more receptive of her unbiblical worldview.)
And then there's the plot. I'll admit it's slightly believable but not without stretching reality to its farthest limits. Like, robbing a heavily guarded bank in the very heart of Berlin? Not very realistic. The book's description claiming War Games to be about the 1936 Olympics doesn't fit this story very good either, considering that the bank robbing subplot takes up most of the storyline (so perhaps in this case classifying the 1936 Olympics as the subplot would be more appropriate). Although the plot disappointed for the most part, the bit of information and facts presented about the Berlin Olympic Games proved to be educational and informative.
Alan Gratz has been long overdue for injecting one of his books with woke content, and War Games happens to be the one. I no longer consider Alan Gratz to be one of my favorite contemporary authors, as he now seems more concerned with promoting woke ideologies and educating his audience about sexuality rather than with crafting exciting and enjoyable stories appropriate for his middle grade audience. Although I have provided a brief analysis of a few of the literary elements, I cannot endorse or recommend War Games.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📊 A Quick Overview 📊
👍🏼 What I Liked:
• The writing style — it conveys action and thoughts realistically.
👎🏼 What I Did Not Like:
• The promotion of homosexuality (especially considering that this book is marketed to middle graders).
• The MC — she was inconsistent, not very realistic, and could be seem annoyingly like someone from the 21st century.
• Most of the plot — it was too far-fetched and required a great suspension of belief.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
❓ To Read or Not To Read? ❓
— Would I recommend this book? No.
— Why not? Because of the inclusion of obvious LGBTQ+ sexual content and the story wasn't that great anyway.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📖 BOOK BREAKDOWN 📖 (Overall: 1/5)
~Fundamentals: (1=worst; 5=best)
— 📈 Plot: 2/5
— 📝 Writing: 3/5
— 👥 Characters: 2/5
~Content: (0=none; 1=least; 5=most)
— 🤬 Language: 1/5
• One vain use of God's name (and one use in German), one use of "d*mn," one use of "bastard" as an insult, and four uses of "heck."
— ⚔️ Violence: 1/5
• A few scenes of mild action-adventure violence including brief sequences of peril.
— ⚠️ Sexual: 2/5
• A prominent LGBTQ+ character and relationship (see Random Comments below for details).
• A brief and nondescript discussion about sterilization.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📣 Random Comments 📣
• LGBTQ+ content: War Games features an explicitly gay main character whose relationship with his "partner" (also called his "beloved" and his "boyfriend") is discussed and referenced on many occasions. The narrating MC expresses the sentiment that being homosexual is "brave" and desires to see these two men united together again in their homosexual lifestyle.
• Content note: The main characters believe stealing to be acceptable if one of the following two conditions apply: (1) the person/organization the MCs are stealing from stole the items from others in the first place or (2) the MCs are stealing from others so that they — the MCs — can use the items for a more righteous cause than what they perceive the people they stole from were using the items for.
• A note about my rating: Had War Games been free of the aforementioned sexual content, I may have given this book two and half or maybe three stars. I've chosen, however, to give this book one star as it promotes an immoral and unbiblical view of sexuality and marriage (Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10) to a targeted young audience whose level of discernment and critical thinking at such a young age is either very low or altogether nonexistent.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
💬 Favorite Quotes 💬
• "[L]ooking out for other people gets you much farther in life than looking out for yourself." (p. 3)
✏️ Review ✏️
I've always enjoyed pretty much every Alan Gratz historical fiction read. But, sadly, War Games proved to be a major disappointment due to the inclusion of obvious LGBTQ+ sexual content. Besides that, the combination of an inconsistent and somewhat annoying MC, an unrealistic plot structure, and a pervasive 21st century atmosphere in a 1930s setting further makes War Games a let down.
In this book marketed to middle graders, Gratz explicitly promotes and subsequently praises homosexual lifestyles (see Random Comments below for details). It's sad and disappointing to see one of the best contemporary MG historical fiction authors pushing an immoral sexual narrative on a middle grade audience — readers whose discernment capabilities are virtually nonexistent at such a young age. It's one thing to teach middle graders with decorum that homosexuals were wrongfully treated under the Nazi's regime, but it's quite an entirely different thing to write a story for young readers that seeks to normalize, endorse, and champion homosexuality by including an explicitly same-sex relationship under the guise of historical accuracy. Sexual content such as this has no business being in middle grade books.
Now to discuss the literary elements. Evie, the narrating MC, comes across as inconsistent and somewhat annoying within the first several chapters. Here she's competing in the 1936 Olympics. For the most part, she's having a great time. But then she accepts an offer to go rob like the biggest bank in Nazi Germany (really!?). Yeah, this decision seems far-fetched and completely inconsistent with Evie's character. While Evie does have some minor on-page thought-processing about her decision, it would have been nice to have more substantial character development highlighting how she went from not wanting to rob a foreign bank to all of a sudden wanting to risk her life doing this. This lack of thought made her character inconsistent and, unfortunately, somewhat unrealistic and annoying. Also, for a character who lives in the early 1930s — an era where homosexuality was practically unheard of and looked down upon by society in general — Evie accepts and praises homosexual relationships unnrealistically quickly. So after this point in the story, her character took on an unseemly 21st century persona which destroyed much of the historical setting in War Games. (And as an aside: Will middle graders [perhaps young as nine- or eight-year-olds] have the discernment to mentally draw the line between the sympathy and connection they feel for Evie's character and her biblically objectionable endorsement and praise of homosexuality? Unless they have a solid biblical foundation, I think most will not, which is why the sexual ideological tones of War Games is even more serious — either the reader has the critical thinking to separate the positive from the subtle negative traits in Evie's character or the reader will unwittingly view Evie's endorsement of homosexuality as acceptably good, thereby becoming more receptive of her unbiblical worldview.)
And then there's the plot. I'll admit it's slightly believable but not without stretching reality to its farthest limits. Like, robbing a heavily guarded bank in the very heart of Berlin? Not very realistic. The book's description claiming War Games to be about the 1936 Olympics doesn't fit this story very good either, considering that the bank robbing subplot takes up most of the storyline (so perhaps in this case classifying the 1936 Olympics as the subplot would be more appropriate). Although the plot disappointed for the most part, the bit of information and facts presented about the Berlin Olympic Games proved to be educational and informative.
Alan Gratz has been long overdue for injecting one of his books with woke content, and War Games happens to be the one. I no longer consider Alan Gratz to be one of my favorite contemporary authors, as he now seems more concerned with promoting woke ideologies and educating his audience about sexuality rather than with crafting exciting and enjoyable stories appropriate for his middle grade audience. Although I have provided a brief analysis of a few of the literary elements, I cannot endorse or recommend War Games.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📊 A Quick Overview 📊
👍🏼 What I Liked:
• The writing style — it conveys action and thoughts realistically.
👎🏼 What I Did Not Like:
• The promotion of homosexuality (especially considering that this book is marketed to middle graders).
• The MC — she was inconsistent, not very realistic, and could be seem annoyingly like someone from the 21st century.
• Most of the plot — it was too far-fetched and required a great suspension of belief.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
❓ To Read or Not To Read? ❓
— Would I recommend this book? No.
— Why not? Because of the inclusion of obvious LGBTQ+ sexual content and the story wasn't that great anyway.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📖 BOOK BREAKDOWN 📖 (Overall: 1/5)
~Fundamentals: (1=worst; 5=best)
— 📈 Plot: 2/5
— 📝 Writing: 3/5
— 👥 Characters: 2/5
~Content: (0=none; 1=least; 5=most)
— 🤬 Language: 1/5
• One vain use of God's name (and one use in German), one use of "d*mn," one use of "bastard" as an insult, and four uses of "heck."
— ⚔️ Violence: 1/5
• A few scenes of mild action-adventure violence including brief sequences of peril.
— ⚠️ Sexual: 2/5
• A prominent LGBTQ+ character and relationship (see Random Comments below for details).
• A brief and nondescript discussion about sterilization.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
📣 Random Comments 📣
• LGBTQ+ content: War Games features an explicitly gay main character whose relationship with his "partner" (also called his "beloved" and his "boyfriend") is discussed and referenced on many occasions. The narrating MC expresses the sentiment that being homosexual is "brave" and desires to see these two men united together again in their homosexual lifestyle.
• Content note: The main characters believe stealing to be acceptable if one of the following two conditions apply: (1) the person/organization the MCs are stealing from stole the items from others in the first place or (2) the MCs are stealing from others so that they — the MCs — can use the items for a more righteous cause than what they perceive the people they stole from were using the items for.
• A note about my rating: Had War Games been free of the aforementioned sexual content, I may have given this book two and half or maybe three stars. I've chosen, however, to give this book one star as it promotes an immoral and unbiblical view of sexuality and marriage (Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10) to a targeted young audience whose level of discernment and critical thinking at such a young age is either very low or altogether nonexistent.
📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚
💬 Favorite Quotes 💬
• "[L]ooking out for other people gets you much farther in life than looking out for yourself." (p. 3)
April 21, 2025
HE DOES IT AGAIN. I will likely love Gratz' books until I die.
May 12, 2025
“Where they will burn books, in the end also burn people.” -Heinrich Hein
🇩🇪
It’s 1936 and Berlin is hosting the Olympics during a tumultuous time in their nation as the Nazis are set to take over and start WWII. Evie’s family is dirt poor—literally as they escaped the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma for California and are currently homeless. She’s there only to win gold in gymnastics so she can make money in Hollywood for her family afterwards, but when she fails to make the team, she’s offered another way to earn gold: pull off the biggest heist of the century by stealing gold from the Nazi bank. As Evie spends time on her secret side project, she realizes her eyes had been closed to what has been happening in Germany, makes new friends and decides to stand up for what’s right.
🤸
This should be a movie. I’m not even kidding—one of the best MG historical fiction books I’ve ever read (are we surprised Alan wrote it? No lol) This had everything: tension, history, adventure, promoted empathy and eerily mirrors some of what is happening in the U.S. right now. “What I really didn’t understand was a country elected a man to be their leader after he led an insurrection to overthrow the government.” I see you, Alan. Be sure to read the Author’s Notes at the end. This masterpiece releases October 7 from @scholastic
CW: war (theme), persecution, concentration camps, antisemitism, racism, sterilization, homophobia, classism, theft, murder, death, death of a child, homelessness, poverty
.
🇩🇪
It’s 1936 and Berlin is hosting the Olympics during a tumultuous time in their nation as the Nazis are set to take over and start WWII. Evie’s family is dirt poor—literally as they escaped the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma for California and are currently homeless. She’s there only to win gold in gymnastics so she can make money in Hollywood for her family afterwards, but when she fails to make the team, she’s offered another way to earn gold: pull off the biggest heist of the century by stealing gold from the Nazi bank. As Evie spends time on her secret side project, she realizes her eyes had been closed to what has been happening in Germany, makes new friends and decides to stand up for what’s right.
🤸
This should be a movie. I’m not even kidding—one of the best MG historical fiction books I’ve ever read (are we surprised Alan wrote it? No lol) This had everything: tension, history, adventure, promoted empathy and eerily mirrors some of what is happening in the U.S. right now. “What I really didn’t understand was a country elected a man to be their leader after he led an insurrection to overthrow the government.” I see you, Alan. Be sure to read the Author’s Notes at the end. This masterpiece releases October 7 from @scholastic
CW: war (theme), persecution, concentration camps, antisemitism, racism, sterilization, homophobia, classism, theft, murder, death, death of a child, homelessness, poverty
.
July 4, 2025
Another masterpiece by Alan Gratz that is going to be an instant hit (like Gratz books always are!) with middle grade kids. The backdrop of the 1936 Berlin Games combined with the rise of the Nazi regime gives kids a glimpse of Germany they may not have read about before. The author's note at the end should not be missed as it contains so much good information about what Gratz created and what was the real history.
January 19, 2026
This book came highly recommended and it delivered! The portrayal of 1936 Germany was so good and the slow reveal of the problems and atrocities made by the German government during that time. The narrator was absolutely amazing in switching between characters and accents! Both them and the author really keep you immersed in where and when you are. And when you think you might have forgotten it suddenly hits you again. Wow just wow. The depiction of just how much Hitler is feared and that affect on even on his own members of government/security in the end of the story was a nice touch.
October 14, 2025
When I first found out this book was being written I ran around the house in celebration! I have read every single Alan Gratz book and so far none have disappointed. This book continues that streak and fully warrants running around the house in celebration!
This book is about a 13 year old girl, Evie, who has been through a lot and is trying to figure out her life as she goes to the 1936 Olympics. This year was tough for the world, especially for Evie and her family. Things are only just starting with the Nazis and it's set in a time where we don't understand the full way Hitler is using his power. You can really get a full view of the world's confusion. It's a great perspective of WW2! As someone who often questions how the Olympics happened and people didn't notice what was going on, this helped me to understand it! Sure this is Gratz's perspective of what the Olympians thought and did but based on the facts it seems accurate. This is a great book!
The plot:
It was great! Well thought out and well paced! I never felt bored or wanted to skip part of the book.
The characters:
I loved the characters so much!!! Sometimes I was like come on Evie be better but other than her none of the characters were abnormaly annoying or weird!
Accuracy:
If you read Alan gratz you know that all of his books have an authors note with everything you need to know about what was fiction and real in the book. This really helps your understanding of the topic so make sure to read that. The main plot line of this book didn't actually happen (or as far as we know...) which is a little sad but he (as always) makes it believable and not impossible to have actually happened. This book felt the most far fetched of all his books but maybe thats just me. Somehow in all the far fetchedness it was still believable and amazing!!
Age group:
Alan Gratz books are all below my reading level but I love them enough to reread them over and over again! I think this is suitable for grades 4-8. The theme stretches it out a couple grades.
Overall, this was an amazing book and I enjoyed it a lot! I hope you do too!!!
This book is about a 13 year old girl, Evie, who has been through a lot and is trying to figure out her life as she goes to the 1936 Olympics. This year was tough for the world, especially for Evie and her family. Things are only just starting with the Nazis and it's set in a time where we don't understand the full way Hitler is using his power. You can really get a full view of the world's confusion. It's a great perspective of WW2! As someone who often questions how the Olympics happened and people didn't notice what was going on, this helped me to understand it! Sure this is Gratz's perspective of what the Olympians thought and did but based on the facts it seems accurate. This is a great book!
The plot:
It was great! Well thought out and well paced! I never felt bored or wanted to skip part of the book.
The characters:
I loved the characters so much!!! Sometimes I was like come on Evie be better but other than her none of the characters were abnormaly annoying or weird!
Accuracy:
If you read Alan gratz you know that all of his books have an authors note with everything you need to know about what was fiction and real in the book. This really helps your understanding of the topic so make sure to read that. The main plot line of this book didn't actually happen (or as far as we know...) which is a little sad but he (as always) makes it believable and not impossible to have actually happened. This book felt the most far fetched of all his books but maybe thats just me. Somehow in all the far fetchedness it was still believable and amazing!!
Age group:
Alan Gratz books are all below my reading level but I love them enough to reread them over and over again! I think this is suitable for grades 4-8. The theme stretches it out a couple grades.
Overall, this was an amazing book and I enjoyed it a lot! I hope you do too!!!
October 18, 2025
Alan Gratz's novels take readers through all different experiences of World War II from concentration camps to Hitler Youth, from Europe to the Pacific. With War Games, he's leading up to the war. War Games takes the reader to the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The world only sees what Hitler and the Nazis want them to see concerning the state of Germany. Evie, one of the gymnasts representing the United States, is excited to have made the team, but even being on the team has complications when your teammates don't like you. Every athlete has a Youth Services Host that is with them throughout the games. Evie's host, Heinz, seems to be everywhere and Evie needs to escape him. You see, Evie has been approach about a scheme to steal from the Reichsbank and has to make a complicated decision.
War Games has all the excitement of the Olympics while having all the suspense and danger that's lurking around the corner. A must read!!
This e-ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. #WarGames #Netgalley
War Games has all the excitement of the Olympics while having all the suspense and danger that's lurking around the corner. A must read!!
This e-ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. #WarGames #Netgalley
Read
October 30, 2025
Trigger & Content Warnings
Period-typical antisemitism, racism, homophobia, ableism & Nazism
Gun & knife violence
World War II (theme), including discussions of genocide, concentration camps and forced sterilisation of disabled people
Homelessness & poverty (protagonist)
Period-typical antisemitism, racism, homophobia, ableism & Nazism
Gun & knife violence
World War II (theme), including discussions of genocide, concentration camps and forced sterilisation of disabled people
Homelessness & poverty (protagonist)
December 20, 2025
Before I read this, I read a few reviews which gave me some insights. I liked it more than I thought I would but, this was probably my least favorite of all of this author's books I have read. I liked the historical parts related to the Olympics and explorarion of Nazi Germany before WWII, but the bank heist was unbelievable (although the explanation of how the bank's vaults were built was interesting). I also appreciated the inclusion of the dust storms in Oklahoma which I knew little about.
It also did have a man explaining that he was homosexual to the main character (13) and another character explaining how she was sterilized. Although the persecutuon of these groups of people was horrific, how it was brought into the book didn't seem to fit with the intended audience age.
It also did have a man explaining that he was homosexual to the main character (13) and another character explaining how she was sterilized. Although the persecutuon of these groups of people was horrific, how it was brought into the book didn't seem to fit with the intended audience age.
January 25, 2026
I love Gratz’s YA historical novels and this is one of my favorites so far! High energy and suspense all the way through and as usual I love the author notes he includes to give information as to what was true or fiction or fictional based on true events. Everything revolving around the 1936 Olympics was fascinating.
January 14, 2026
It was a good plot, and it was a good book until about halfway, when there were too many characters. One of the main characters was gay, and his gender identity was a major subplot. At the end, the actual main character gave all her multiple millions of dollars to him to ‘find his partner’.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2025
Big thanks to @scholastic and @this_is_edelweiss for the advance Kindle copy of this book, and to @alan.gratz and his team for a physical ARC as well! It is out on 10/7/25. All opinions are my own.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. This is going to be a huge hit with my students. Gratz writes from from the female perspective in this one, as thirteen-year-old Evie, and Olympic gymnast at the 1936 Berlin games. Shortly after arriving in Berlin, she receives a cryptic note and gets involved in a plot to rob what’s basically the national bank of Germany. While there were many points at which I had to suspend my belief in reality, the background knowledge of the time period this book gives kids more than makes up for it, and the action will keep them engaged as well. Order plenty of copies if you’re in the library world, and if you are a family at my school, you’ll be able to get it at our book fair shortly after it releases! (Last week of October 🎃) #mglit #librarian #librariansofinstagram #middleschoollibrarian
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. This is going to be a huge hit with my students. Gratz writes from from the female perspective in this one, as thirteen-year-old Evie, and Olympic gymnast at the 1936 Berlin games. Shortly after arriving in Berlin, she receives a cryptic note and gets involved in a plot to rob what’s basically the national bank of Germany. While there were many points at which I had to suspend my belief in reality, the background knowledge of the time period this book gives kids more than makes up for it, and the action will keep them engaged as well. Order plenty of copies if you’re in the library world, and if you are a family at my school, you’ll be able to get it at our book fair shortly after it releases! (Last week of October 🎃) #mglit #librarian #librariansofinstagram #middleschoollibrarian
August 15, 2025
War Games by Alan Gratz is another gripping, fast-paced historical novel, and yes, Alan Gratz did it again. This time, he delivers a tense, suspenseful story set during WWII, made even more engaging with a strong female protagonist at the center. Packed with danger, clever twists, and emotional depth, it keeps readers turning the pages while offering a vivid glimpse into history. It also gives a fresh view of Hitler’s Germany in the years between WWI and WWII, seen through an outsider’s perspective. Gratz blends action, heart, and historical detail so well that by the end, you feel like you’ve lived the adventure yourself.
May 19, 2025
Sure to be another winner from Alan Gratz, War Games delivers a high-intensity adventure along with well-researched, interesting historical elements. Gratz weaves the plotting of a nail-biting heist of the Reichsbank with the Nazi-infused 1936 Olympic games. He develops a cast that felt so real I had to Google each one to see if they were actual historical figures or fictionary characters. This one hits all the targets with my middle school audience with World War II, sports, and non-stop action.
January 2, 2026
Another excellent YA novel from Alan Gratz! He is such a reliable YA author. In this book, he manages to tell an interesting story about young athletes at the Berlin Olympics while at the same time, teaching his young readers about Nazi Germany history. A winning combination ... the grade seven and eight readers at my school are going to love it.
August 15, 2025
Another winner by Alan Gratz! You can’t read this without seeing the parallels to the US today. Chilling. But the weaving of the Olympics, the Dust Bowl, and enough plot twists and mysteries to keep you on the edge of your chair helps it stays firmly in middle grade territory.
Thank you, Scholastic for the arc.
Thank you, Scholastic for the arc.
November 10, 2025
It’s Money Heist but remixed into historical fiction and written for middle grade readers.
I think my students sold out this book at our school book fair and more than one offered to let me borrow their copied after they finished. We STAN Alan Gratz in room 204.
I think my students sold out this book at our school book fair and more than one offered to let me borrow their copied after they finished. We STAN Alan Gratz in room 204.
October 28, 2025
No one writes historical fiction for kids better than Alan Gratz!! Truth is that this book is one of my faves. Set in 1936 with the back drop of the Olympics in Berlin and the world is on the cusp of war. It’s the best books for kids I’ve read on the topic and the parallels to 2025 are sadly profound. But it also manages to explain the Depression and Dust Bowl and struggles in the world brilliantly! I loved it and it’s a must for any school library!
December 2, 2025
Literally loved this author when I was little and still love him. (Little bit biased because the main character was a gymnast) great book!
December 12, 2025
Another favorite from Alan Gratz!
January 7, 2026
Another absolutely amazing book by Gratz.
October 26, 2025
I read this book at the suggestion of my 10-year-old grandson. I love that he wanted to share it with me! It’s clearly written for younger readers, but I found it engaging and well done for its age group. Gratz does a nice job bringing 1936 Berlin to life in a way that’s both understandable and thought-provoking. A solid four-star read, and a fun connection with my grandson.
December 31, 2025
This was a tough read and the kids both DNFed it.
January 4, 2026
This was a little far-fetched for me, but I think many middle grade readers would be able to suspend their disbelief and enjoy this.
January 18, 2026
Alan Gratz, nails it again. A book all ages, genders, races will want to read with tons of history behind it.
January 16, 2026
Really loved this. Alan Gratz is just a great author. I do wish this one was a little more based on historical fact but the part that is based closely on history felt a little close to home with what’s going on in our country right now.
January 3, 2026
DNF...the historical parts about the Olympics were of interest, however the bank heist plot line was unpleasing from many angles. Disappointing, as I have enjoyed many of the author's previous books. Other readers have commented in more detail.
August 3, 2025
This is another wonderful book by Alan Gratz. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. War Games is a good introduction to Nazi Germany, with some possible connections to what is happening today. Every middle grade student should read this book.
October 12, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up.
War Games by @alan.gratz is a brand-new middle grade historical fiction set during the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.
It has everything from gymnastics (it was diff from how they do it now), Jesse Owens, the relay runner switch to appease the host country, a heist, betrayal, friendship, and even a hilarious line about Hitler farting 💨 (many kid readers will love that).
This new HF also tackles censorship, book burning, and the importance of protecting our freedoms. It’s a perfect reminder during #BannedBooksWeek. I’m sure @scholastic planned its release to line up #freadom
I snuck this read on the plane (and train) to Germany, and I was especially thrilled to have my read line up w the setting. Book nerd wins!
Gratz new book is one to check out; tho I also agree that all his books are fantastic, action-packed reads.
🏷️
#WarGames #AlanGratz #middlegradebooks #historicalfiction #whattoread #readaloud
War Games by @alan.gratz is a brand-new middle grade historical fiction set during the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.
It has everything from gymnastics (it was diff from how they do it now), Jesse Owens, the relay runner switch to appease the host country, a heist, betrayal, friendship, and even a hilarious line about Hitler farting 💨 (many kid readers will love that).
This new HF also tackles censorship, book burning, and the importance of protecting our freedoms. It’s a perfect reminder during #BannedBooksWeek. I’m sure @scholastic planned its release to line up #freadom
I snuck this read on the plane (and train) to Germany, and I was especially thrilled to have my read line up w the setting. Book nerd wins!
Gratz new book is one to check out; tho I also agree that all his books are fantastic, action-packed reads.
🏷️
#WarGames #AlanGratz #middlegradebooks #historicalfiction #whattoread #readaloud
January 13, 2026
I have read and enjoyed many Alan Gratz books and felt disappointed by this latest book, War Games.
I personally felt it just missed the mark on his usual great mix of historical and fictional.
I personally felt it just missed the mark on his usual great mix of historical and fictional.
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