A sad fictional tale about 2 young boys from.Germany that were groomed at an early age to be soldiers for the Reich.
They were groomed along with other youth,to be spys for the Germans and were sent to America
to do just that,
But something happened while the boys were in America,as both of them grew to love the families that they had been placed with and no longer felt that they were a danger to Germany.
However,you will need to read the book to find out why?
I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this richly detailed novel by Aalia
Lanius titled "Jugend."

“Jugend” by Aalia Lanius is quite an interesting book in that it treats young men from two different eras as they come to terms with the truths of their beliefs and the effects that has on those around them.

The story begins as a group of select Hitler Youth, with Ernst as a part of the group, are sent to London under the pretense of a bicycle tour to act as spies for the Nazis. They are placed in homes in London and are required to spy on these families. Ernst is place in the home of a wealthy British Jewish family. What he sees in this family is just a normal family of lovely people. After the time of this mission is at an end, Ernst’s mentor, Officer Müller, and the group of Hitler Youth prepare to murder this family. Ernst will not participate and stands his ground. He warns the family who are then able to flee before the Nazis can murder them.

Clark is a present day American teen-aged orphan. He has lost his mother to cancer and his father to the war in Iraq. He is left with his guardian, who is consumed with the white supremacy movement. His uncle manages to have him live with a Muslim family in order to glean any information that they are terrorists. In fact, they are Muslim Americans who are very patriotic to their new country. They are not terrorists, but Clark’s uncle is determined to get rid of them. When Clark finds out that his uncle plans to eliminate the whole family, Clark tries to warn them, but is too late.

Both of these boys, in similar situations in different times learn that some ideologies that preach hatred of and death to people whom they assume to be less than human, are in fact just like they are. When does this hatred and fear end? In both instances, the boys find their own consciences and decide what is good. I found this novel to be so appropriate to what we are living now and to what horrible events went before, all because of religious beliefs.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Jugend. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Firstly, the plot of this novel was amazing! At the same time, some of the events were kind of extreme and seemed quite a bit unlikely (specifically in London). Aalia Lanius's point was clearly made, however and I love the intention--what am honorable purpose for writing! I appreciated this book, but I think some of the characters could have been developed a little more deeply and more some of the sudden events could have had a bit more detailed lead-ups. (Point being: the character I think who may have shown the most depth might have been Abdul, and he was a secondary character.). Overall, it was a good story, though.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

I’ve just finished Jugend by Aalia Lanius. I really, really enjoyed it. Historical fiction is my jam, and this one did not let me down! Set up in a very different way for me, with the lead characters, each in flip flopping chapter sequence, both a WWII era German boy, Ernst, of the Hitler Youth, and a present day boy, Clark, from a White Supremacist group, are sent to infiltrate an enemy family. The journey these boys embark on is both thrilling and emotional. Being so filled with hate, neither of them sees these families in their true light, but maybe with love and honesty, they can change the path they’ve set out on? The twists at the end, I was in tears. I didn’t see it coming, and I was not emotionally prepared. Do not read this one if you’re looking for a “sunshine and rainbows” happy ending. I did struggle a little with some of the editing mistakes though, a double word here, a slip of character name there, but it didn’t take away from the story for me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for this great read!!

Wow, I just cant. I had to DNF this after the first five chapters.

I guess being German and reading about this topic as a historical fantasy was my mistake. I should've known better.
The dialogue is awkward and the writing stiff, not to mention that some of the German words that are sprinkled in the story aren't all accurate as in the meaning and use of it in a particular sentence.
If you're interested in this topic I'd rather recommend an autobiography or historical more accurate novel.

The author has been very brave to pick up this topic and try to make a YA historical fiction out of those events, but the end result is not something that I can stand behind or can recommend.

Loved the past to present in alternating chapters and how they connected in the end. So relevant as to race relations now. I think the more diversity in your life opens your heart to many that you may see as different than yourself. Our differences should separate our sameness should connect us.

Symmetrical setups in pre-WWII Germany featuring 14-yr old Ernst, and present-day American Clark. Both boys have been groomed to infiltrate and report on supposed enemy targets, the German Nationalist Party sends Ernst to the London home of the Rosenbergs, and Clark's so-called Uncle Jax sneaks him into the Khalil residence in Alpharetta, Georgia. Author Lanius does a wonderful job of illustrating picture perfect idealism in both the Jewish and Muslim households, from the landscaping and lush decor to their level of hospitality and commitment to philanthropy.

While the cover and title signal a focus on Hitler Youth, Lanius very capably explains the basics of Islam to readers, as well as the meaning of fascism and propaganda. I hope this work of YA protest fiction serves to motivate young readers to reject what's going on today by showing what happened in the past: "pitting people against people, recruiting youth, encouraging young minds to discard the concept of education and free thinking, blindly following the unqualified leader's rhetoric and hate."

Ernst and Clark are similarly susceptible to the allure of rich and pretty, and the rich and pretty families that they are spying on are equally rather gullibly taken by the boys sent to hate on them, so this reads more like allegory than realism. Considering the vast differences in eras, continents and cultures, I think the dialog in the alternating chapters could be better differentiated.

I was given the Kindle version to read by NetGalley and the publisher Unsugarcoated Media, in exchange for an unbiased review.

A well-written story on how a young mind can be manipulated to build hatred. Two young boys, one in World War II Germany, one in the war in Iraq. The ending is both surprising and shows how ignorance about certain ethnic groups can change when we get to know these people. Well done, highly recommend.