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47 Days: The True Story of Two Teen Boys Defying Hitler's Reich by [Annette Oppenlander]

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Annette Oppenlander

47 Days: The True Story of Two Teen Boys Defying Hitler's Reich Kindle Edition

by Annette Oppenlander (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

608 ratings

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"...intriguing and fascinating young adult adventure..." Readers' Favorite

'47 DAYS' is a novelette and an excerpt from the award-winning biographical novel, SURVIVING THE FATHERLAND--A True Coming-of-age Love Story Set in WWII Germany.

In March 1945 Hitler ordered his last propaganda command: send all 15 and 16-year old boys to defend the fatherland. 47 DAYS tells the true story of Günter and Helmut, best friends, who dared to defy and disobey. Without knowing how long the war might continue, they spent 47 harrowing days as fugitives on the run. Being caught meant certain execution.

SURVIVING THE FATHERLAND tells the true and heart-wrenching stories of Lilly and Günter struggling with the terror-filled reality of life in the Third Reich, each embarking on their own dangerous path toward survival, freedom, and ultimately each other. Based on the author's own family and anchored in historical facts, this story celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the strength of war children.

Reading age

12 - 18 years
Print length

86 pages
Language

English
Grade level

6 - 12
Publication date

March 1, 2017
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Michael J. Tougias
2,083
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Joseph Bruchac
2,572
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1 offer from $5.99
Annette Oppenlander
968
Kindle Edition
1 offer from $5.99
Annette Oppenlander
41
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1 offer from $5.99
Robert Weintraub
921
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Laura Hillenbrand
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Editorial Reviews

Review

On the run, Günter and Helmut are trying to avoid Hitler's last propaganda command in 1945 of sending 15 and 16-year-old boys to fight for their country. Germany is slowly but surely losing the war when Hitler tries to swing it around to his advantage by ordering elderly men and young teenagers to enlist. Annette Oppenlander's novella, 47 Days: The True Story of Two Teen Boys Defying Hitler's Reich, focuses on Günter and Helmut who, without knowing how much longer the war will last, disobey the command and run away instead of reporting to their destination. If caught, the boys will be executed for desertion. Will they resist or will they eventually give in and join the ranks?

Annette Oppenlander has written an intriguing and fascinating young adult adventure that will have readers rooting for the fugitives during their daring but terrifying act of defiance. Even more suspenseful is the fact that the fate of the boys is not subject to the whim of the author but, by the time of reading, had already played out in 1945. Readers can only pray that 47 Days will have a happy ending. The language is beautifully simple, but descriptive enough for readers to feel as though they have been transported back into some of the scenes and are watching the action live. I thoroughly enjoyed this novella, as will other lovers of historical books, especially those focusing on World War II and Hitler's rampant insanity-driven acts. I look forward to more richly detailed and compelling books from Annette Oppenlander! -Readers' Favorite

From the Author

Based on my father's experience as a youth in World War II, 47 DAYS takes us into the last months of the war. The 'Reich' is crumbling, but Hitler frantically throws the last warm bodies into battle: old men, the injured and feeble, and all 15- and 16-year old boys. With the Allies and Russians spreading across German soil, it is a wasted effort. Hitler well knows it is too late and that the war is lost. But in his insane mind he justifies discarding the youth of the country. If Germany can't win, they can all go to hell.My father, Günter, and his best friend, Helmut, were among those teens, drafted in March 1945. They were told to travel 200 kilometers south to report to the Hitler Youth Office in Marburg and jointedly defend the fatherland. Without training, without weapons. My father and his friend decided it was a bad idea. They chose to think for themselves and disobey. The prize was their lives because being caught meant certain execution.
At the time nobody knew how much longer the war would last. And so the task of hiding and eluding became a race for survival. Not to mention the turmoil Günter and Helmut must have felt every single day. Had they done the right thing? Would they get caught? Well, they almost did. And they almost died.
I chose to publish this novelette separately because I wanted to share the conflict and threats these boys endured for disobeying orders. If you are interested in historical action/adventure and the state of Germany in the last months of World War II, this story may be of interest. I also believe it would be beneficial for high schoolers studying German history.

47 DAYS is an excerpt from the full-length novel, SURVIVING THE FATHERLAND. Defying Hitler's orders was my father's way to keep his sanity...and as it turns out, his life.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B06WRRQDZW
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oppenlander Enterprises LLC; 1st edition (March 1, 2017)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 1, 2017
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 3380 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 86 pages
Lending ‏ : ‎ Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: #217,392 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #311 in Two-Hour Teen & Young Adult Short Reads
- #315 in Historical Fiction Short Stories (Kindle Store)
- #2,267 in War Fiction (Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews:
608 ratings

About the author

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Annette Oppenlander

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Annette Oppenlander is an award-winning writer, literary coach and educator. As a bestselling historical novelist, Oppenlander is known for her authentic characters and stories based on true events, coming alive in well-researched settings. Having lived in Germany the first half of her life and the second half in various parts in the U.S., Oppenlander inspires readers by illuminating story questions as relevant today as they were in the past.

Oppenlander’s bestselling true WWII story, Surviving the Fatherland, has received eight awards/nominations, including the 2017 National Indie Excellence Award, the 2018 Indie B.R.A.G. and the 2020 Skoutz Award in Germany. Uniquely, Oppenlander weaves actual historical figures and events into her plots, giving readers a flavor of true history while enjoying a good story. Oppenlander shares her knowledge through writing workshops at colleges, libraries and schools. She also offers vivid presentations and author visits. The mother of fraternal twins and a son, she now lives in Germany with her husband.

“Nearly every place holds some kind of secret, something that makes history come alive. When we scrutinize people and places closely, history is no longer a date or number, it turns into a story.”

More infos at annetteoppenlander.com

Customer reviews

5 star		73%
4 star		15%
3 star		8%
2 star		2%
1 star		2%

How customer reviews and ratings work

Top reviews from the United States

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Good historical read for my 12 year old

Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2020

Verified Purchase

My 12 year old enjoyed this. Read it in 2 days. Age appropriate tale about 2 boys during WWII.

9 people found this helpful

Interesting book

Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2020

Verified Purchase

Great book. I got this for my Son to use as additional reading for homeschool. We love true stories.

4 people found this helpful

Great book for your teens

Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2021

Verified Purchase

Easy read. 76 page long true story of how 2 teenage boys defied Hitler's Reich. My nephews loved it. One is 14 and the other 12

One person found this helpful

Its only a few chapters read.

Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2018

Verified Purchase

This book is a few chapters taken out of the book "Surviving the Fatherland." As I already ordered this book, "47 Days" was a waste of money. I should have read the previews more carefully. As its own story, 47 Days is entertaining but should not have been compiled as it is not complete and too short a read.

13 people found this helpful

For your history fan

Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2021

Verified Purchase

Kids want to know what life was like for other kids during certain time periods.
This is a direct link to the past. Very descriptive and written well my son who loves history and learning about the world wars.
Anything that helps kids learn and relate is aces in my book.

4 people found this helpful

I could not put this down. Had to buy the whole book!

Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2017

Verified Purchase

This is an exert of the book, Surviving the Fatherland. I ended up getting the book. I couldn't put it down. We were stationed in West Belin, Germany, in 1984-1987 and I thought I knew everything about the war. This shows the position of the average Germans in their villages as they struggled to survive the war. I knew nothing about them. I lumped everyone together, not realizing how non-Nazis lived and suffered. I highly recommend these books.

7 people found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2020

Verified Purchase

My 14 year old son loved it! He’s read it 4 times now

5 people found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2017

Verified Purchase

47 Days: The True Story of Two Teen Boys Defying Hitler’s Reich from Surviving the Fatherland is by Annette Oppenlander. It is a historical fiction based on the life of her Father throughout World war II.
Gunter was finally happy to be back in a class even though it was cold. He really liked technological drawing. However, when the teacher walked in, something was wrong. Instead of teaching, the teacher told the boys they were being mustered and were to report to Marburg in a couple of days. The boys were only fifteen and some had barely turned sixteen. However, most of them were excited about joining the army. Gunter and his friend Helmut did not want to go. However, they knew they couldn’t just stay home. They set out, alone, for Marburg. They had no intention of getting there but to roam the forests until liberation came. Were they doing the right thing? Would they get caught in the woods?
In addition to this story, you get a preview of the book Surviving the Fatherland.

Top reviews from other countries

Zulu Warrior

Informative For Kids

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 22, 2019

Verified Purchase

Its 1945, Solingen, Germany, George is in school, the teacher made an announcement, the whole class were to make their own way to Marburg to the offices of the Hitler Youth, we were 16yrs and we were to join the fight, we new this was crazy the war would be ending soon why risk our lives

George went to see his friend Helmut, we decided to do as they told us but very slowly in a round about way in the hope that the war would end before we got there, we knew if we were caught we would be shot as cowards, the boys did not know what dangers they would have to overcome while trying to survive

Paul

47 DAYS is an excerpt from the novel, SURVIVING THE FATHERLAND

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 15, 2017

Verified Purchase

It's a good read but not if you've already read Surviving the Fatherland! I was a bit annoyed to buy it, only to find I'd read it before! I think it should be made clearer that this is just an excerpt from another novel.

3 people found this helpful

amy paris

Goor read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 15, 2017

Verified Purchase

A really good read.couldnt put it down,best book I have read for ages.

Viv Howard

although I would have liked a little more detail

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 27, 2017

Verified Purchase

From the price paid and the fact that it was not advertised as a 'sample', I thought I was buying the complete book. It was well written, although I would have liked a little more detail, and the ending seemed to be very abrupt - am I missing something?

One person found this helpful

Kelli Sullivan

Not bad for kids and teens

Reviewed in Canada on October 25, 2021

Verified Purchase

Interesting story. Bought it as a Xmas gift for my 13 year old nephew. I always read before I give them anything because you never know. It’s good for ages 7-15 Short and interesting

5 people found this helpful

See all reviews

Michael J. Tougias
2,083
Kindle Edition
1 offer from $7.99
Laura Hillenbrand
3,736
Kindle Edition
1 offer from $9.99
Joseph Bruchac
2,572
Kindle Edition
1 offer from $5.99
Robert Weintraub
921
Kindle Edition
1 offer from $8.99
Jeff Strand
723
Kindle Edition
1 offer from $7.99
Annette Oppenlander
968
Kindle Edition
1 offer from $5.99

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