In War Games, #1 New York Times bestselling author Alan Gratz delivers a gripping middle-grade historical thriller set during the politically charged 1936 Berlin Olympics. Published by Scholastic, the novel centers on thirteen-year-old Evie Harris, a talented American gymnast who leaves behind her Dust Bowl-refugee family in California to compete on the world stage. Eager to win gold, secure endorsement deals, and pull her family out of poverty, Evie arrives in Berlin alongside famous teammates like Jesse Owens. However, beneath the polished stadium facades and glossy Olympic banners, she quickly uncovers the sinister reality of Adolf Hitler’s regime. As the Nazi party attempts to hide its systemic persecution of Jewish, Black, and LGBTQ+ individuals behind propaganda, Evie is thrust into a high-stakes underground plot. Recruited by anti-fascist allies to help execute a daring heist of Nazi gold from the Reichsbank to fund the resistance, Evie faces a profound moral dilemma: pursue her lifelong athletic dream or risk everything to stand against tyranny.

Gratz shines in his ability to blend pulse-pounding sports drama with rigorous historical education. The story moves at a relentless pace, utilizing short, action-packed chapters that capture the cinematic tension of both Olympic competition and covert espionage. By incorporating characters from various targeted groups—including a French-Senegalese swimmer and a gay German weightlifter—the narrative effectively highlights the widespread human impact of Nazi oppression. Furthermore, the novel serves as a powerful examination of how authoritarian regimes manipulate international sports for political propaganda, anchored by Gratz’s meticulous research and an insightful author’s note that clearly delineates historical facts from fictionalized elements.

Despite these compelling strengths, the novel occasionally struggles under the weight of its ambitious premise. Incorporating a full-scale bank heist into an Olympic narrative sometimes strains historical plausibility, as young athletes infiltrating heavily guarded Nazi vaults feels slightly far-fetched against an otherwise grounded real-world setting. Additionally, because the story juggles rapid sports sequences, spycraft, and heavy thematic lessons, a few supporting character arcs receive less developmental depth than they deserve, making certain emotional payoffs feel slightly rushed toward the climax.

Ultimately, War Games is an exceptional piece of historical fiction for young readers, successfully combining pulse-pounding suspense with timely lessons on moral courage, integrity, and standing up against injustice. Alan Gratz reinforces his standing as a master of youth historical fiction, delivering an accessible, urgent narrative that will captivate middle-grade readers, educators, and fans of historical thrillers alike.

Star Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5 out of 5 stars)

– The Moving Words Review