07/01/2015
Gr 6 Up—Part biography, part religious history, and part youth devotional, this student edition of the adult best seller is an introduction to Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a young German pastor who lived under Nazi rule. The focus is on Bonhoeffer's life, including his growth as a Christian, his leadership as a pastor, and his struggle with the evil he faced in Nazi Germany. Metaxas briefly mentions Bonhoeffer's involvement with multiple assassination attempts against Hitler, such as the infamous Valkyrie plan. The description of Bonhoeffer's imprisonment and execution are addressed with a sensitivity befitting younger readers. Unfortunately, there's limited coverage of Bonhoeffer's actual spy endeavors, and students will be left with a disappointing sense that this book is clearly an abridged version of a more complete story. Informational sidebars are seamlessly integrated into the text. Time lines at the start of each chapter provide grounding in historical context, though the book lacks an index. Each chapter includes faith-centered questions, prayer suggestions, and encouraging Bible passages. VERDICT This title is a suitable addition for larger collections and will appeal to those looking for a Christian faith devotional rooted in historical context.—Paige Rowse, Syosset High School Library, New York