Book cover of My Brother's Secret

Book description

Germany, 1941. 12-year-old Karl Friedmann is looking forward to joining
the Hitler Youth, like all boys his age. But when his father
is killed, his rebellious older brother Stefan shows him things
that leave his faith in the Fuhrer shaken.
What does it mean to be a good German? What…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked My Brother's Secret as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

My daughter brought this home from the school’s discard rack (her exact words were something like, “I thought you’d like this because it had airplanes on the cover”) and we read it together for bedtime.

It was a twisty, fun middle-grade historical about a German boy who’s been very indoctrinated by the Hitler cult and the process by which he realises that Hitler is a terrible person, actually. The climax was very satisfying, too, and I am always here for a good boy-girl friendship story.

If you love My Brother's Secret...

Book cover of Unfathomable: 20 Wild (But True) Stories About the Ocean

Unfathomable by Mary Boone,

Did you know you can survive being swallowed by a whale? Or that octopus wrestling used to be an actual sport? Or, that once a town in Oregon didn't know what to do with a whale carcass that washed up on their beaches, so they...BLEW IT UP?

As strange as…

Want books like My Brother's Secret?

Our community of 13,000+ authors has personally recommended 82 books like My Brother's Secret.

Browse books like My Brother's Secret

Book cover of The Mathews Men: Seven Brothers and the War Against Hitler's U-Boats
Book cover of We the Animals
Book cover of Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

Share your top 3 reads of 2026!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

170

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like My Brother's Secret, you might also like...

Book cover of Scout and the Rescue Dogs

Scout and the Rescue Dogs by Dianne Wolfer,

The summer holidays have finally arrived and Scout can’t wait for her adventure in the big rig with Dad. They’re on a mission to deliver donations of dog food to animal rescue shelters right across the state. There’ll be dad-jokes, rock-collecting, and a brilliant plan that will make sure everyone’s…

Book cover of Fires Burning Underground

Fires Burning Underground by Nancy McCabe,

It’s Anny’s first day of middle school and, after years of being homeschooled, her first day of public school ever. In art, Larissa asks what kind of ESP is her favorite: telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, or telekinesis? Tracy asks how she identifies: gay, straight, bi, asexual, pan, trans, or confused?

And…

5 book lists we think you will like!