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

This was a quick read. It was an eye-opening perspective into the lives of two boys surviving and wandering in and out of towns and the wilderness as they evaded being drafted at the young age of 16/17. I am going to read the other associated book Surviving the Fatherland. The first two chapters are at the end of 47 Days, and I want to keep reading.!

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

47 Days: The True Story of Two Teen Boys Defying Hitler’s Reich from Surviving the Fatherland is by Annette Oppenlander. It is a historical fiction based on the life of her Father throughout World war II.Gunter was finally happy to be back in a class even though it was cold. He really liked technological drawing. However, when the teacher walked in, something was wrong. Instead of teaching, the teacher told the boys they were being mustered and were to report to Marburg in a couple of days. The boys were only fifteen and some had barely turned sixteen. However, most of them were excited about joining the army. Gunter and his friend Helmut did not want to go. However, they knew they couldn’t just stay home. They set out, alone, for Marburg. They had no intention of getting there but to roam the forests until liberation came. Were they doing the right thing? Would they get caught in the woods?In addition to this story, you get a preview of the book Surviving the Fatherland.

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.

Read it in a half hour

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!

Daughter loves this book

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.

It's a short book but interesting. Would recommend

I had previously bought this book for my Canadian Grandson through Amazon 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. 🙈😭

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

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

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