Ausländer by Paul Dowswell


When Peter’s parents are killed, he is sent to an orphanage in Warsaw. Then German soldiers take him away to be measured and assessed. They decide that Peter is racially valuable. He is Volksdeutscher: of German blood. With his blond hair, blue eyes, and acceptably proportioned head, he looks just like the boy on the Hitler-Jugend poster. Someone important will want to adopt Peter. They do. Professor Kaltenbach is very pleased to welcome such a fine Aryan specimen to his household. People will be envious. But Peter is not quite the specimen they think. He is forming his own ideas about what he is seeing, what he is told. Peter doesn’t want to be a Nazi, and so he is going to take a very dangerous risk. The most dangerous risk he could possibly choose to take in Berlin in 1942.

One thought on “Ausländer by Paul Dowswell

  1. Bleddyn Year 7 writes…
    I have just finished the book Ausländer by Paul Dowswell. It is about a boy whose parents are killed and is sent to an orphanage until one day the Nazi government decide he is ‘racially valuable’ and he is sent to live with Professor Kaltenbach and his family. They think he is a perfect German until he starts developing his own opinion about the German government and what they do and he starts to disagree with the way everything is. This means he has to take a big risk and fight for justice -while making sure he isn’t caught by the Gestapo… Firstly, I would like say that it is a great book. It is a thrilling book that is full of adventure and excitement on every page and made me want to read on. Secondly, it is also good from a historical point of view- it is set in Nazi Germany when Adolf Hitler was in charge.It gives a clear view of the terrible life most people had due to the strict rules and fear imposed on them. Also, it shows the horrific treatment of Jews and other groups of people. However, it also shows the perspective of the Nazis who were dedicated to their country and would do anything for there country.
    Overall, this a gripping but informative book and i would recommend it anyone from Year 6 to adult.

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