Under the Iron Bridge

Gr 7 Up–World War II enthusiasts will enjoy this title that provides an in-depth, albeit fictional, depiction of the Edelweiss Pirates. This group is portrayed as courageous, defiant, and determined teenagers who are willing to risk their lives for what they believe is right. Paul Ritter is a 15-year-old German boy living in the late 1930s who is challenged to join the Hitler Youth. Paul experiences inward and outward struggles with the methodology of the group yet his parents convince him to join just so his safety will be ensured. He doesn’t agree with the group’s beliefs and yearns to effect change in his community, and joins the Edelweiss Pirates. What ensues is Paul’s journey with the group. While approaching the emotional topic, Kacer does not go into graphic detail about the events that occur. There are some sensitive scenes, but they are presented much less graphically than in many similar books. The back matter explains some of the terms and events in the book in more detail.