In Projekt 1065, Alan Gratz crafts a thrilling World War II story that combines espionage, bravery, and the internal struggles of a boy caught in one of history’s darkest times. Gratz, known for his skillful depiction of young protagonists in war, once again delivers a tale of heroism set against the backdrop of Nazi Germany.
Michael O’Shaunessey, the son of an Irish diplomat, is living in Berlin with his parents during the height of the war. Though Ireland is officially neutral, Michael and his family are anything but uninvolved. His father is outwardly playing the diplomatic role, while his mother is secretly spying for the British, gathering vital intelligence for the Allies. Michael, as a member of the Hitler Youth, is tasked with playing along—pretending to support Nazi propaganda while quietly collecting information that could help win the war.
As Michael navigates the dangerous and morally complex world of the Hitler Youth, he forms an unexpected friendship with Fritz Brendler, whose father is involved in Projekt 1065, a top-secret plan to develop a revolutionary new airplane. This friendship becomes the key to Michael’s mission as he works to uncover the plans for the aircraft and pass them on to the Allies. Gratz expertly builds tension as Michael, already in a precarious position, becomes entangled in even riskier situations when he is recruited for a mission to Switzerland. His task: to help eliminate a group of scientists whose work for the Allied forces poses a threat to Nazis.
What sets Projekt 1065 apart from other World War II stories is the way it shows a young boy grappling with his own moral compass in a world where right and wrong seem increasingly blurred. Michael must make difficult decisions—balancing his role as a friend to Fritz and his duty to the greater good. The stakes are incredibly high, and Gratz doesn’t shy away from showing the intense pressure Michael faces as he puts his life on the line.
Gratz’s writing is crisp and fast-paced, keeping readers on edge as Michael faces one perilous situation after another. Michael’s inner turmoil is palpable, especially as he realizes the cost of his actions—both on a personal level and in the broader scope of the war. The friendships he forms, the sacrifices he makes, and his transformation from a boy pretending to be a spy to a true hero are at the heart of the story.
For readers who are fans of historical fiction, particularly those fascinated by World War II, Projekt 1065 offers a compelling, high-stakes narrative with a unique perspective. If you enjoyed Gratz’s other WWII novels like Heroes or Prisoner B-3087, this book will be right up your alley. It also holds appeal for those who liked Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief or Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See, with its intense portrayal of a young people caught in the moral complexities of war.