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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
243 people are currently reading
3863 people want to read
About the author
Alan Gratz
47 books4,735 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 139 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.
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)
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.
•
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/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
•
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/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!
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.
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.
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 5, 2026
Well, well, well, where to start 😟
1. They literally broke the law and robbed a bank (the FMC is like 14) Just because the authority over you is corrupted doesn’t mean you have to sin to.
2. Her robbing buddy was gay… eww
Well, I guess that was it. Ok bye. Happy reading ✌🏽
1. They literally broke the law and robbed a bank (the FMC is like 14) Just because the authority over you is corrupted doesn’t mean you have to sin to.
2. Her robbing buddy was gay… eww
Well, I guess that was it. Ok bye. Happy reading ✌🏽
October 13, 2025
(INCLUDES SPOILERS. HOWEVER, THEY'RE CENSORED.)
...ok, this isn't gonna be professionally written or anything (explains the grammar) I just kinda want to dump my thoughts about the book (as someone who has read 9 of his novels so far)
what I thought was cool:
- supporting characters (actually likeable)
They're relatively fleshed out, and everyone has their own motives that connect them to the story pretty well. They don't feel out of place or a nuisance to the story.
- character interactions/relationships.
The dialogue was actually pretty cool and engaging. Everyone had their own personality incorporated into their conversations (woohoo, they don't sound like robots!!), and there was a lot more foreign languages written in this book since they were at the Olympics (which was a nice touch, I suppose)
- setting
Not going to say much here. I just thought the book's historical Olympic setting was nice.
what was alright:
- Evie/Evelyn Harris (aka female MC)
Don't get me wrong, I don't think she's a horrible character, it's just that she's the kind of MC that you have to re-read again to understand/fully grasp her. This happens with a lot of books, lol. (probably should keep an open mind on her character if you're reading this book for the first time, though.)
- the plot.
....Sooo this topic can be kinda subjective, since I have a 50/50 opinion on it. Without spoilers, I will say this right now. If you're looking for a book that actually centers its focus around the Olympics, this MIGHT not the the one. It's crazy, I know, but this book has a whole other sub-plot that overshadows the main one. I ain't saying that the story sucked entirely (it was fun to read), it's just that this book doesn't necessarily focus its attention on the Olympics solely (even though the cover might appear that way). The writing is fine, and there are no plot holes. It's just not 100% about the Olympics.
what i didn't like:
- the antagonist.
Alright, before I get jumped with people saying "you're SUPPOSED to dislike the antagonist, they're not supposed to be likeable." That ain't the point here. I dislike the antagonist because of how they were written, not because they were the big ol' bad guy. The antagonist's intentions aren't fully stated, and most of it is just chalked up to pure desire that the antagonist's backstory fails to explain properly. I can't say too much from a spoiler-free view, but even though I don't like the antagonist AT ALL in this book, it won't deter you too much. (So if you still read/want to read the book, go ahead. Again, this is just my opinion.)
Final Thoughts:
I was really hyped up about the book and stuff 'cause it had a female-only MC, and the book's plot was themed around the Olympics (which is something Alan hasn't done at all), so I bought it on the day it released. But I don't know, personally speaking here, this book is probably going to take me a few more re-reads in order to fully see the whole picture.
To the people who actually read through this yappatron essay, you're cool.
...ok, this isn't gonna be professionally written or anything (explains the grammar) I just kinda want to dump my thoughts about the book (as someone who has read 9 of his novels so far)
what I thought was cool:
- supporting characters (actually likeable)
They're relatively fleshed out, and everyone has their own motives that connect them to the story pretty well. They don't feel out of place or a nuisance to the story.
- character interactions/relationships.
The dialogue was actually pretty cool and engaging. Everyone had their own personality incorporated into their conversations (woohoo, they don't sound like robots!!), and there was a lot more foreign languages written in this book since they were at the Olympics (which was a nice touch, I suppose)
- setting
Not going to say much here. I just thought the book's historical Olympic setting was nice.
what was alright:
- Evie/Evelyn Harris (aka female MC)
Don't get me wrong, I don't think she's a horrible character, it's just that she's the kind of MC that you have to re-read again to understand/fully grasp her. This happens with a lot of books, lol. (probably should keep an open mind on her character if you're reading this book for the first time, though.)
- the plot.
....Sooo this topic can be kinda subjective, since I have a 50/50 opinion on it. Without spoilers, I will say this right now. If you're looking for a book that actually centers its focus around the Olympics, this MIGHT not the the one. It's crazy, I know, but this book has a whole other sub-plot that overshadows the main one. I ain't saying that the story sucked entirely (it was fun to read), it's just that this book doesn't necessarily focus its attention on the Olympics solely (even though the cover might appear that way). The writing is fine, and there are no plot holes. It's just not 100% about the Olympics.
what i didn't like:
- the antagonist.
Alright, before I get jumped with people saying "you're SUPPOSED to dislike the antagonist, they're not supposed to be likeable." That ain't the point here. I dislike the antagonist because of how they were written, not because they were the big ol' bad guy. The antagonist's intentions aren't fully stated, and most of it is just chalked up to pure desire that the antagonist's backstory fails to explain properly. I can't say too much from a spoiler-free view, but even though I don't like the antagonist AT ALL in this book, it won't deter you too much. (So if you still read/want to read the book, go ahead. Again, this is just my opinion.)
Final Thoughts:
I was really hyped up about the book and stuff 'cause it had a female-only MC, and the book's plot was themed around the Olympics (which is something Alan hasn't done at all), so I bought it on the day it released. But I don't know, personally speaking here, this book is probably going to take me a few more re-reads in order to fully see the whole picture.
To the people who actually read through this yappatron essay, you're cool.
December 8, 2025
Positives: fast-paced and interesting perspective for the MC to be an American learning about what’s happening in Berlin.
Negatives: not enough about the Olympics and too centered on the very unrealistic idea of the heist. Also the only Gratz book that I wouldn’t be comfortable adding to student book club choices due to a few topics that I don’t think are age-appropriate for class discussions.
Negatives: not enough about the Olympics and too centered on the very unrealistic idea of the heist. Also the only Gratz book that I wouldn’t be comfortable adding to student book club choices due to a few topics that I don’t think are age-appropriate for class discussions.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2025
Evie isn't like the other girls on the 1936 Team USA gymnastics team. Her family is poor and fled Oklahoma after the devastating the Dust Bowl. She didn't have the same privileged training as her teammates, and she isn't part of their in-crowd. But she made it to the Olympics among other top athletes like Jesse Owens, and this is her chance to make an impression and help her family rise out of poverty. With the goal of winning gold so she can become a star in Hollywood, Evie has high hopes. But her situation has caught the attention of others who want to help her strike gold too, only not in the way Evie plans. Amidst the backdrop of Nazi Germany during the Berlin Olympics, Evie is recruited to help rob the Nazis during one of the world's biggest events. Her slight build, dexterity, and family situation are exactly why the criminals tapped her for what could be the heist of the century. But Evie wants to earn her gold. When things don't quite go her way and Evie can't shake her Youth Services Host Heinz, her options are running out to get the gold and help her family.
THOUGHTS: Gratz's newest middle grade title will draw in fans of his other historical fiction as well as readers of sports fiction or compelling character driven titles. Though Gratz takes some creative liberties in developing the conflict, young readers will be engaged from the start and root for Evie to make it through every twist and turn. Knowing Gratz's popularity, this one won't stay on the shelf long.
THOUGHTS: Gratz's newest middle grade title will draw in fans of his other historical fiction as well as readers of sports fiction or compelling character driven titles. Though Gratz takes some creative liberties in developing the conflict, young readers will be engaged from the start and root for Evie to make it through every twist and turn. Knowing Gratz's popularity, this one won't stay on the shelf long.
October 26, 2025
Alan girl what are you doing. WW2 Olympics is a COOL idea!! You had a lot of potential to really get into some cool history. But instead your MC doesn’t even know about the holocaust and then the main point is a bank heist??? Boooooooo.
November 21, 2025
Exciting historical fiction adventure that analyzes the politics of a time and place in history as do all of Gratz's books. However, this one outrages Trump-supporting conservatives and is going to rouse the book banners if it's not already on their list. I know this because an Alan Gratz long-time fan, who has always promoted his books, finds this one completely unacceptable. I couldn't imagine what he'd done that is so inappropriate, so I prioritized reading this.
And then I saw it:
After the 13-year-old American gymnast learns that Adolf Hitler was once in prison writing Mein Kompf for leading an insurrection says, "And the Germans knew? What I don't understand is how a country can elect a man to be their leader when he had tried to overthrow their own government."
I confirmed that yes, this was the objectionable content because it "slams this country and its leaders to a young audience." So....this is about Nazi Germany. If you are seeing parallels, that's not Gratz's fault and good for him. If the young audience is seeing parallels, they are paying attention. I doubt that if they are noticing that this is happening again in our own county they didn't already have this question, and they now can see it's an age-old problem and how that usually turns out: "Where they burn books, they will ultimately burn people as well"(Heinrich Heine, 1821, as quoted in War Games). If they notice the parallels at all, they are already having these questions and having these thoughts and now they can see themselves in this book.
Our 13-year-old American protagonist, homeless and struggling in Great Depression America, is deeply moved by the truth of what the Nazis are doing in Berlin under the facade of prosperity and hospitality that the world sees at home. She struggles with her ideas about what to do to help; major person-vs.-self conflict amidst the exciting heist plot that includes secrecy, planning, narrow escapes and danger at every corner. Readers come away knowing, in an age-appropriate way (for middle school students), that the Nazis stole property and belongings from the Jews, sent them to concentration camps (from where they were not expected to return), banned them from participating in life in Germany, and that some Jews had to hide. Homosexuals were also sent away and treated the same as Jews, the Reichstag fire was a (possibly-staged) act that allowed the government to revoke personal freedoms and have total authority, and that hundreds of thousands of people were forcibly sterilized. The book presented these sad truths but not in a traumatizing way; it was a gentle deliverance of information.
Readers will learn all of the above alongside Evie, and they'll also learn about the 1936 Olympics and the plight of Oklahoma citizens during the Dust Bowl (and the inevitable migration to CA only to be treated like trash). Readers see how desperation leads to poor decisions, which may also help us have a bit of empathy.
My only complaint besides implausible plot events is that Evie didn't seem too ruffled by the fact that segregation in the US was happening; she had oodles of sympathy and internal struggle dealing with what she saw in Germany and pointed out the unfair treatment of Jessie Owens and crew there AND in the US but it didn't take up too much realty in her mind throughout. We don't even get a sense that she'll do anything about the civil rights abuses against Jews and people of color when she returns home, but she was an absolute social justice advocate in Germany. Even so, I'm giving this a resounding 5 stars. I recommend it to readers who are interested in learning, history, and an adventure story.
And then I saw it:
After the 13-year-old American gymnast learns that Adolf Hitler was once in prison writing Mein Kompf for leading an insurrection says, "And the Germans knew? What I don't understand is how a country can elect a man to be their leader when he had tried to overthrow their own government."
I confirmed that yes, this was the objectionable content because it "slams this country and its leaders to a young audience." So....this is about Nazi Germany. If you are seeing parallels, that's not Gratz's fault and good for him. If the young audience is seeing parallels, they are paying attention. I doubt that if they are noticing that this is happening again in our own county they didn't already have this question, and they now can see it's an age-old problem and how that usually turns out: "Where they burn books, they will ultimately burn people as well"(Heinrich Heine, 1821, as quoted in War Games). If they notice the parallels at all, they are already having these questions and having these thoughts and now they can see themselves in this book.
Our 13-year-old American protagonist, homeless and struggling in Great Depression America, is deeply moved by the truth of what the Nazis are doing in Berlin under the facade of prosperity and hospitality that the world sees at home. She struggles with her ideas about what to do to help; major person-vs.-self conflict amidst the exciting heist plot that includes secrecy, planning, narrow escapes and danger at every corner. Readers come away knowing, in an age-appropriate way (for middle school students), that the Nazis stole property and belongings from the Jews, sent them to concentration camps (from where they were not expected to return), banned them from participating in life in Germany, and that some Jews had to hide. Homosexuals were also sent away and treated the same as Jews, the Reichstag fire was a (possibly-staged) act that allowed the government to revoke personal freedoms and have total authority, and that hundreds of thousands of people were forcibly sterilized. The book presented these sad truths but not in a traumatizing way; it was a gentle deliverance of information.
Readers will learn all of the above alongside Evie, and they'll also learn about the 1936 Olympics and the plight of Oklahoma citizens during the Dust Bowl (and the inevitable migration to CA only to be treated like trash). Readers see how desperation leads to poor decisions, which may also help us have a bit of empathy.
My only complaint besides implausible plot events is that Evie didn't seem too ruffled by the fact that segregation in the US was happening; she had oodles of sympathy and internal struggle dealing with what she saw in Germany and pointed out the unfair treatment of Jessie Owens and crew there AND in the US but it didn't take up too much realty in her mind throughout. We don't even get a sense that she'll do anything about the civil rights abuses against Jews and people of color when she returns home, but she was an absolute social justice advocate in Germany. Even so, I'm giving this a resounding 5 stars. I recommend it to readers who are interested in learning, history, and an adventure story.
August 15, 2025
When 13 year old Evelyn “Evie” Harris moved to Bakersfield, California, after her family escaped the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma, she took refuge in her school gym. She began training as a gymnast, and her persistence and talent ultimately earned her a spot on the 1936 U.S. Olympic team, which was set to compete in Berlin under the watchful eye of Adolf Hitler and his burgeoning Nazi regime. The hardships Evie endured in childhood did not prepare her for the dangerous mission she embarks on while in Berlin.
Because of her impoverished upbringing, Evie is ostracized by her close-knit gymnastics teammates, but her roommate, a 20-year-old equestrienne and minor movie star named Mary Brooks, takes her under her wing; her only other real acquaintance in Berlin is Heinz, her Youth Services Host. She soon finds herself being recruited to participate in a daring robbery of the Reichsbank by a mysterious journalist named Solomon Monday. Monday has already procured the services of Karl, a German weightlifter, whose experience as a construction worker gives insight into the inner workings of the bank vault, and needs Evie’s agility to traverse an electrified passageway. Evie is a rule follower, and at first refuses to get involved, but after failing to qualify for the gymnastics finals (upon which her family’s financial future depends), she agrees. The trio is then joined by Ursula, a biracial teen who is on the French diving team. Their first task is to locate a secret tunnel, somewhere under the Olympic stadium, that leads to the vault. Once that is discovered, the team will need to use disguises, subterfuge, and athleticism to accomplish their goal; each member brings their own motivation for wanting to defy Hitler and steal from the Nazis. As Evie learns more about her new friends, and uncovers the ugly underbelly of Berlin behind the shiny facade the Nazis have created for the global stage, she becomes more determined to help the mission succeed.
War Games is Alan Gratz at his best – gripping action, intricate historical detail, and a protagonist who readers will care deeply about from the first page. In a seamless blend of fact and fiction, Evie’s story and the bank robbery scheme are set against the events of the Olympics (including the legendary performance of Black American track star Jesse Owens) as well as the political upheaval taking place in Germany at the time. Exceptional character development provides multiple avenues for empathy: the slow revelation of Evie’s background as an ‘Okie,’ her realization of the truth about Heinz, the backstories of Karl and Ursula, and the many details about lesser characters’ experiences with Hitler’s policies are all heartwrenching. Twenty-first century readers might be shocked to read about the rise of fascism in the aftermath of World War I, the ways in which various communities were impacted, and Germany’s attempts to hide the truth from the world during the Olympics. The daring attempt to rob the Reichsbank is as exciting and suspenseful an adventure as one would expect, and there are many red herrings and surprises along the way to keep readers turning pages until the very end. Multiple pages of historical context are included as back matter. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
Because of her impoverished upbringing, Evie is ostracized by her close-knit gymnastics teammates, but her roommate, a 20-year-old equestrienne and minor movie star named Mary Brooks, takes her under her wing; her only other real acquaintance in Berlin is Heinz, her Youth Services Host. She soon finds herself being recruited to participate in a daring robbery of the Reichsbank by a mysterious journalist named Solomon Monday. Monday has already procured the services of Karl, a German weightlifter, whose experience as a construction worker gives insight into the inner workings of the bank vault, and needs Evie’s agility to traverse an electrified passageway. Evie is a rule follower, and at first refuses to get involved, but after failing to qualify for the gymnastics finals (upon which her family’s financial future depends), she agrees. The trio is then joined by Ursula, a biracial teen who is on the French diving team. Their first task is to locate a secret tunnel, somewhere under the Olympic stadium, that leads to the vault. Once that is discovered, the team will need to use disguises, subterfuge, and athleticism to accomplish their goal; each member brings their own motivation for wanting to defy Hitler and steal from the Nazis. As Evie learns more about her new friends, and uncovers the ugly underbelly of Berlin behind the shiny facade the Nazis have created for the global stage, she becomes more determined to help the mission succeed.
War Games is Alan Gratz at his best – gripping action, intricate historical detail, and a protagonist who readers will care deeply about from the first page. In a seamless blend of fact and fiction, Evie’s story and the bank robbery scheme are set against the events of the Olympics (including the legendary performance of Black American track star Jesse Owens) as well as the political upheaval taking place in Germany at the time. Exceptional character development provides multiple avenues for empathy: the slow revelation of Evie’s background as an ‘Okie,’ her realization of the truth about Heinz, the backstories of Karl and Ursula, and the many details about lesser characters’ experiences with Hitler’s policies are all heartwrenching. Twenty-first century readers might be shocked to read about the rise of fascism in the aftermath of World War I, the ways in which various communities were impacted, and Germany’s attempts to hide the truth from the world during the Olympics. The daring attempt to rob the Reichsbank is as exciting and suspenseful an adventure as one would expect, and there are many red herrings and surprises along the way to keep readers turning pages until the very end. Multiple pages of historical context are included as back matter. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
June 12, 2025
Once again, one of the masters of middle grade historical fiction seamlessly blends a handful of fictional characters with the very real history of people, places and world-changing events. The focus of WAR GAMES is the 1936 Berlin Olympics as Hitler is doing his best to present Germany in the very best of lights while hiding the persecution that has already begun against Jews, Blacks, Roma, homosexuals and those deemed undesirable and unable to meet the so-called Aryan standard.
Striding excitedly into this arena is Evelyn/Evie Harris, a teenage survivor of the drought and dust of Oklahoma who discovered gymnastics after her family fled to what they hoped were going to be better times in California. Her dream is to take home the gold and translate it into a career in film that will provide for her still financially devastated family. Evie is joined by an also fictional roommate, Mary Brooks, who has already made that dream come true for herself, a German weightlifter expected to win gold, diver Ursula who is competing for France and a more senior journalist named Monday who has a plan to rob the German National Bank using the unique skills of this team of Olympians. Evie decides two kinds of gold are better than one but trying to balance gymnastics with preparing to rob the most heavily guarded and fortified bank in the country as well as dodge her assigned guide, a German boy about her age named Heinz, may be too much for one girl to handle.
Using Heinz as a Evie’s guide, who turns out not to be as loyal to Hitler as Evie initially suspected, Gratz is able to show readers the growing abuses against those Hitler has deemed unworthy, the crumbling infrastructure and the preparations for a new war that Germany is striving to hide from the world. The accomplishments of American Black athletes Jesse Owens and Mack Robinson are highlighted as are the politically-driven US discrimination against Jewish relay runners Marty Glickman and Sam Stoller. Another real life character that becomes key to the robbery attempt is Leni Riefenstahl, an actress turned director who was charged with filming the Olympic experience and insuring that Germany is presented in the best possible light. Many other notable truths about athletes and Nazi activities are included throughout WAR GAMES and some things that may have been true such as Hitler using a stand in or body double for some events.
Gratz’s book is fast-paced and does not always go the expected direction which will please most readers. His fictional story is exciting, but more importantly, highlights many aspects of the time before World War II important for middle grade readers to know and understand. WAR GAMES does not include details of beatings or shootings and keeps the violence very low. Text is free of profanity and sexual content as well.
Highly recommended for grades 4-8.
Thx, Scholastic and the 2025 Literary Feast event, for the print arc.
Striding excitedly into this arena is Evelyn/Evie Harris, a teenage survivor of the drought and dust of Oklahoma who discovered gymnastics after her family fled to what they hoped were going to be better times in California. Her dream is to take home the gold and translate it into a career in film that will provide for her still financially devastated family. Evie is joined by an also fictional roommate, Mary Brooks, who has already made that dream come true for herself, a German weightlifter expected to win gold, diver Ursula who is competing for France and a more senior journalist named Monday who has a plan to rob the German National Bank using the unique skills of this team of Olympians. Evie decides two kinds of gold are better than one but trying to balance gymnastics with preparing to rob the most heavily guarded and fortified bank in the country as well as dodge her assigned guide, a German boy about her age named Heinz, may be too much for one girl to handle.
Using Heinz as a Evie’s guide, who turns out not to be as loyal to Hitler as Evie initially suspected, Gratz is able to show readers the growing abuses against those Hitler has deemed unworthy, the crumbling infrastructure and the preparations for a new war that Germany is striving to hide from the world. The accomplishments of American Black athletes Jesse Owens and Mack Robinson are highlighted as are the politically-driven US discrimination against Jewish relay runners Marty Glickman and Sam Stoller. Another real life character that becomes key to the robbery attempt is Leni Riefenstahl, an actress turned director who was charged with filming the Olympic experience and insuring that Germany is presented in the best possible light. Many other notable truths about athletes and Nazi activities are included throughout WAR GAMES and some things that may have been true such as Hitler using a stand in or body double for some events.
Gratz’s book is fast-paced and does not always go the expected direction which will please most readers. His fictional story is exciting, but more importantly, highlights many aspects of the time before World War II important for middle grade readers to know and understand. WAR GAMES does not include details of beatings or shootings and keeps the violence very low. Text is free of profanity and sexual content as well.
Highly recommended for grades 4-8.
Thx, Scholastic and the 2025 Literary Feast event, for the print arc.
November 18, 2025
War Games
Written by Alan Gratz
Published by Scholastic
A new Alan Gratz novel is always a major treat in my house, you are guaranteed a fabulous read but also a hard hitting read.
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 that 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.
What an emotional journey this turns out to be.
Told through the eyes of 13 year old country girl Evie we get a look at Berlin 1936 - you see how scared people are, how rough life is for everyday people and how the Nazi party are trying to fool the world.
We see through Evie’s eye the confusion people have with what is going on, and how people have already started looking into going into hiding.
This is another part of WW2 that is never spoken about, the olympus that was held in Berlin and how good the Nazi wanted to be seen. Based on facts that are available the author has got it pretty accurate.
The plot was thought out well, never boring and unpredictable in places.
If I am being honest I found Evie annoying at times , thinking how native can someone be - but then the reader knows exactly what will happen
What I truly like about this author is when he writes a book he always includes an author note - telling the readers what is fact and what is fiction and again this is included in the book.
I look forward to seeing what the author does next.
Written by Alan Gratz
Published by Scholastic
A new Alan Gratz novel is always a major treat in my house, you are guaranteed a fabulous read but also a hard hitting read.
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 that 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.
What an emotional journey this turns out to be.
Told through the eyes of 13 year old country girl Evie we get a look at Berlin 1936 - you see how scared people are, how rough life is for everyday people and how the Nazi party are trying to fool the world.
We see through Evie’s eye the confusion people have with what is going on, and how people have already started looking into going into hiding.
This is another part of WW2 that is never spoken about, the olympus that was held in Berlin and how good the Nazi wanted to be seen. Based on facts that are available the author has got it pretty accurate.
The plot was thought out well, never boring and unpredictable in places.
If I am being honest I found Evie annoying at times , thinking how native can someone be - but then the reader knows exactly what will happen
What I truly like about this author is when he writes a book he always includes an author note - telling the readers what is fact and what is fiction and again this is included in the book.
I look forward to seeing what the author does next.
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