Prisoner of Night and Fog

Gretchen Müller, seventeen, has grown up steeped in the beliefs of the National Socialist Party. Her brother is a brown-shirt and has a mean streak a mile deep. Gretchen’s father is a hero of the party having given his life to save the life of Adolf Hitler, affectionately called Uncle Dolf by Gretchen and her family. But her life is turned upside down when she meets Daniel Cohen, a young, handsome, fearless Jewish reporter who tells her that her father was murdered by those who claim him as their hero. Gretchen starts searching around her house and asking some pointed questions. When her brother thinks she has been in his room, he brutally beats her. Going to Uncle Dolf for help and protection, Gretchen is cruelly turned away. She begins to realize all that Daniel has told her is probably true, but she wants to find proof, and if she does, she and Daniel will expose the National Socialists for who they really are.

Anne Blankman has written an absolute page-turner of a novel through great writing and impeccable historical research. It is certainly appropriate for the young adult audience, but will hold a much wider appeal than that.