Alan Gratz is back with another gripping historical fiction story. This time the setting is the 1936 Olympic Games set in Berlin, Germany.

Thirteen-year-old Evie Harris is a gymnast and a competitor just like the more well-known Jesse Owens. Her dream is to win a gold medal and become famous so she can help get her family out of dust bowl poverty back in Oklahoma where they are currently living out of their car.

She tries to stay focused even though Adolf Hitler is creepy and seems like a dictator. But then more truths surface about the deadly grip Nazis have on the city, especially those who are Jewish. She discovers a note with her name on it and becomes involved in a plot to steal Nazi gold. Her focus has to either be on her performance at the Olympics are doing something to bring down the evil in Berlin – not an easy choice.

Evie’s first person narration is believable and full of emotion. The last 100 pages are hard to put down as the plot races toward the climatic finale. Despite her story being the centerpiece of the novel, it really didn’t happen. Most of the characters are fictional, but the games and their impact are real. Alan Gratz details what is fact and what is fiction in the back pages, a valuable depiction not to be missed.

WAR GAMES will appeal to those who enjoy historical fiction with memorable characters. It will encourage readers to learn more about Hitler and his regime. A perfect starter for classroom discussions about this time period.

BOOK BIRTHDAY: October 7, 2025 PAGE COUNT: 368

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: WAR GAMES by Alan Gratz

1. A welcome and strong female protagonist in an unlikely setting. Evie will have you cheering for her throughout the heartfelt narration.
2. The setting and time period is a unique one for MG historical fiction and one that is much needed.
3. Besides Evie my favorite character was Heinz, a Hitler youth escort to the foreign athletes. Evie uncovers many surprising truths about Heinz and their growing friendship was surprising and an important element in the story.
4. The facts about the Nazi’s putting on a good face for the world during the Olympics like covering up unsightly buildings with Nazi flags and letting Jewish owned stores stay open during the event.
5. Pre-war Germany was a fascinating backdrop, given the impact of what would eventually happen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alan Gratz is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty novels, graphic novels, and novellas for young readers, including Heroes, Two Degrees, Captain America: The Ghost Army, Ground Zero, Refugee, Allies, Resist,  Prisoner B-3087, and Ban This Book. A Knoxville, Tennessee native, Alan is now a full-time writer living in Portland, Oregon with his family. Learn more about him online at www.alangratz.com.

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