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47 Days: The True Story of Two Teen Boys Defying Hitler's Reich (Biographical WWII Stories for Teens)

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"...intriguing and fascinating young adult adventure..." Readers' Favorite

'47 DAYS' is a novelette and an excerpt from the award-winning biographical novel, SURVIVING THE FATHERLAND--A True Coming-of-age Love Story Set in WWII Germany.

In March 1945 Hitler ordered his last propaganda command: send all 15 and 16-year old boys to defend the fatherland. 47 DAYS tells the true story of Günter and Helmut, best friends, who dared to defy and disobey. Without knowing how long the war might continue, they spent 47 harrowing days as fugitives on the run. Being caught meant certain execution.

SURVIVING THE FATHERLAND tells the true and heart-wrenching stories of Lilly and Günter struggling with the terror-filled reality of life in the Third Reich, each embarking on their own dangerous path toward survival, freedom, and ultimately each other. Based on the author's own family and anchored in historical facts, this story celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the strength of war children.

Editorial Reviews

Review

On the run, Günter and Helmut are trying to avoid Hitler's last propaganda command in 1945 of sending 15 and 16-year-old boys to fight for their country. Germany is slowly but surely losing the war when Hitler tries to swing it around to his advantage by ordering elderly men and young teenagers to enlist. Annette Oppenlander's novella, 47 Days: The True Story of Two Teen Boys Defying Hitler's Reich, focuses on Günter and Helmut who, without knowing how much longer the war will last, disobey the command and run away instead of reporting to their destination. If caught, the boys will be executed for desertion. Will they resist or will they eventually give in and join the ranks?

Annette Oppenlander has written an intriguing and fascinating young adult adventure that will have readers rooting for the fugitives during their daring but terrifying act of defiance. Even more suspenseful is the fact that the fate of the boys is not subject to the whim of the author but, by the time of reading, had already played out in 1945. Readers can only pray that 47 Days will have a happy ending. The language is beautifully simple, but descriptive enough for readers to feel as though they have been transported back into some of the scenes and are watching the action live. I thoroughly enjoyed this novella, as will other lovers of historical books, especially those focusing on World War II and Hitler's rampant insanity-driven acts. I look forward to more richly detailed and compelling books from Annette Oppenlander!

From the Author

Based on my father's experience as a youth in World War II, 47 DAYS takes us into the last months of the war. The 'Reich' is crumbling, but Hitler frantically throws the last warm bodies into battle: old men, the injured and feeble, and all 15- and 16-year old boys. With the Allies and Russians spreading across German soil, it is a wasted effort. Hitler well knows it is too late and that the war is lost. But in his insane mind he justifies discarding the youth of the country. If Germany can't win, they can all go to hell.My father, Günter, and his best friend, Helmut, were among those teens, drafted in March 1945. They were told to travel 200 kilometers south to report to the Hitler Youth Office in Marburg and jointedly defend the fatherland. Without training, without weapons. My father and his friend decided it was a bad idea. They chose to think for themselves and disobey. The prize was their lives because being caught meant certain execution.
At the time nobody knew how much longer the war would last. And so the task of hiding and eluding became a race for survival. Not to mention the turmoil Günter and Helmut must have felt every single day. Had they done the right thing? Would they get caught? Well, they almost did. And they almost died.
I chose to publish this novelette separately because I wanted to share the conflict and threats these boys endured for disobeying orders. If you are interested in historical action/adventure and the state of Germany in the last months of World War II, this story may be of interest. I also believe it would be beneficial for high schoolers studying German history.

47 DAYS is an excerpt from the full-length novel, SURVIVING THE FATHERLAND. Defying Hitler's orders was my father's way to keep his sanity...and as it turns out, his life. 

Review:

4.8 out of 5

95.38% of customers are satisfied

5.0 out of 5 stars Book

s. · July 25, 2024

My grandson in high school finds this time period very interesting as he went to a class trip to Europe. Really appreciated the book. Said it was very interesting.

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read

S.K.S. · February 5, 2023

Near the end of World War II, Hitler knew he was losing. This did not stop him from continuing the fight. When man power was dwindling, he reached out and drafted the Hitler Youth. These were young school boys. Helmet and Günter were best friends. They receive their draft notice in school and are required to report within one week to Marburg. They were told there would be no transportation and they would need to find their own way there. Günter goes to find Helmut. He tells him he doesn't plan to go. Helmut agrees. If they are caught they will be shot on the spot as traitors. Günter's father went to ward almost five years earlier and his brother left last year. This will leave his mother and younger brother all alone. Günter and Helmut start walking, slowly, deciding they will hide out in hopes the war will end before they actually get there. This story is the true story lived by the author's grandfather Günter and his best friend Helmut. It is a quick read, yet a hold-your-breath type of read. I worried the entire time I was reading about what they were going through. I hear our youth today complain about such simple things when kids like Günter and Helmut had to worry about war, being killed, starving, freezing to death. It made me think about what was going on in Ukraine right now and how those children are living something similar. This should be in every middle school classroom. This is a definite must read

4.0 out of 5 stars 47 Days

C.G. · June 11, 2023

Wow, this book you must read that’s all I can tell you about it. It is thrilling exciting brings up a lot of emotions. You’ll love it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book

C.R.W. · July 13, 2024

Enjoyed this story. About two boys during WW ll in Germany who defied Hitler’s Reich as fugitives on the run. It’s true story and short. Only 76 pages!

3.0 out of 5 stars Short

H. · May 23, 2023

Read it in a half hour

5.0 out of 5 stars A Novel of History, Friendship. And Survival.

S.K. · September 30, 2024

This excerpt from a longer piece of work captures what happens in a special piece of history and involves two friends. This was based on a true story.

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book

S. · March 29, 2024

It may be a short book but very well written its nice to see different ways people survived such a sad horrible time but we all must remember

5.0 out of 5 stars Very information and inspiring to those who wish to know.

W. · October 4, 2023

This book was very inspiring. Although it was quite short, the story was cold. The fight for survival for these two boys, so they wouldn't have to participate in genocide, was truly moving. It really gives you a new perception on what happened in the holocaust, and brings new meaning and feel to it. A line that stood with me from the book was that the main character, Günter, his mother said that Hitler was trying to kill them. Imagine having your own government trying to kill you before the war ends. A truly moving book. As a 15 year old reading history, and reviewing past events, this was a moving story. I'm homeschooling, and this was my assignment. To think, they were my age when they went through this, makes me even more grateful for the comfortable life I live.

Good

B. · July 27, 2024

Great book to read. The beginning is slow but I enjoyed the book

Youth historical fiction at its best.

j.r.b. · January 13, 2024

My Nephew gets to learn a little history whilst enjoying the fictional approach.

Book A Holic

L.H. · September 22, 2024

This book was bought for someone who is an avid reader of true stories and autobiographies. I'm sure they will enjoy it.

Amazing True Story

C. · August 28, 2022

This is a short but very intense and emotional story. What these two brave teens had to endure in order to not fight for Hilter was difficult to read, but impossible to stop reading as their courage and determination at their age is so compelling.

Wonderful story. BUT..... Very disappointed with the quality and size of book

L. · November 10, 2022

I had previously bought this book for my Canadian Grandson through Bolo canada and had started to read it while on a visit there.So when home i decided to buy a copy for myself as its such a wonderful story and i thoroughly recommend the story /content of this book.I was so disappointed when my book arrived, it was a least half the thickness of the original paperback that I'd read.The cover curls!, its so compacted its difficult to keep it open in ypur hand and you have to really struggle with it to read the text towards the middle.The text itself is smaller.Totally deflated and disappointed. 🙈😭

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47 Days: The True Story of Two Teen Boys Defying Hitler's Reich (Biographical WWII Stories for Teens)

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