A parent might reach for this book when their child is ready for a mature, historically-grounded look at World War II that moves beyond simple heroics. This gripping novel follows Henry, a young American soldier captured during the Battle of the Bulge and sent to a brutal German prisoner-of-war camp. It is an unflinching look at the daily struggle for survival, highlighting themes of resilience, courage, and the deep bonds of friendship forged under unimaginable stress. Appropriate for older middle-grade readers, this story does not shy away from the harsh realities of starvation, cruelty, and loss. It's an excellent choice for a child interested in history, offering a powerful lesson on the strength of the human spirit in the face of profound adversity.
Story revolves around suffering, starvation, brutality, and the trauma of war.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly and realistically with the horrors of war. It includes descriptions of starvation, beatings, executions, and the death of several characters, including a close friend of the protagonist. The approach is secular and historical, focused on human experience rather than ideology. The resolution is realistic: survival is achieved, but it comes at a great cost, and the protagonist is left with deep psychological scars. The ending is hopeful in the sense of survival, but somber about the cost of war.
Ideal Reader
A mature 10 to 14-year-old who is a serious reader of historical fiction and is ready for a narrative that doesn't sanitize the grim realities of WWII. This child likely has a strong interest in history and is moving beyond adventure-focused war stories to understand the human cost. They can handle sad themes and appreciate stories of resilience and psychological endurance.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared for the book's intensity. It would be wise to preview chapters detailing the camp conditions (Chapters 5-15) and the death of Henry's friend, Paul, which is a significant and upsetting moment. A pre-reading conversation about the historical context of POWs in WWII would be very helpful. This is not a book to be read cold by a sensitive or younger reader in the age range. A parent has noticed their child is deeply interested in WWII, perhaps after reading Alan Gratz or watching a historical documentary, and is asking more complex questions: "What happened to soldiers who were captured? Was it scary all the time? Did everyone survive?"
Age Experience
A younger reader (10-11) will likely focus on the plot: the capture, the challenges of the camp, and the thrilling escape. An older reader (12-14) is more likely to engage with the deeper themes: the psychological effects of trauma, the moral ambiguity faced by survivors, and the complex portrayal of the enemy. They will better understand the novel as a commentary on the nature of humanity during wartime.
What Makes It Special
While many WWII books for this age group focus on espionage, the Holocaust, or the home front, "Prisoner of War" offers a rare and focused first-person account of the American GI experience in a German stalag. Its strength lies in its stark, unflinching realism and its tight focus on the psychological battle for survival, making it a powerful and unique addition to the genre.
Read plot summary
Seventeen-year-old Henry Forester is an American GI captured by the Germans during the Battle of the Bulge. He is transported to Stalag X-B, a prisoner of war camp where conditions are horrific. Faced with starvation, disease, freezing cold, and cruel guards, Henry and his friends must rely on each other to survive. The narrative focuses on the psychological and physical toll of captivity. As the war nears its end and the camp's conditions worsen, Henry and a friend plot a desperate escape, facing immense danger both inside and outside the wire.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Henry often thinks about his family and his life back home to keep his hope alive. What other small things did Henry and his friends do to maintain their humanity in the camp?
2
When Henry and Paul escape, they must decide whether to trust the German family they encounter. What would you have done in their situation? Why was this such a risky and difficult choice?
3
The book describes the guards with varying levels of cruelty. Was every German soldier portrayed as evil? How does the book show that war is more complicated than just 'good guys' versus 'bad guys'?
4
At the end of the book, Henry is a changed person. How did his experience as a prisoner of war affect him? Do you think he will ever be the same as he was before the war?
