A powerful look at a often overlooked area of Nazi Germany's persecution, this novel contains an incredible story of survival, finding strength in oneself to deal with life's unexpected turns, and courage in the face of adversity and the horrors of Nazi Germany.

I adored the main character within this novel. Sophie is such a strong girl to deal with the pain of becoming crippled due to a disease that fate gave her. And what a timeframe and place to become crippled?! She goes from being the apple of Nazi Germany's eye to become an ostracized "useless eater" only good to be used and discarded. Talk about a fall! Sophia faces it with incredible courage, smarts, and spunk that you just can't help to root for her.

I liked the overall subject matter of the novel as well. It's the first I've read that deals with the Nazi persecution of the disabled, and I found it to be very powerful indeed. Told through the eyes of someone so young and who was so deep into the Nazi world (part of the BDM, Nazi organization for German girls), I was moved to tears to see how this girl's world was turned upside down, all because she shared a single girl's canteen during a summer outing. That simple move condemns her to hatred, scorn, and future persecution.

My only criticism would be the fervent wish I had for more story exploration and the sudden, chopped off ending. I felt like there was so much more to this story that could have been told or explored. Maybe more about Sophie's story with Esther or more on Erich's story or some background on Sophie's fellow hospital inhabitants... Maybe it's the short length of the novel, but I found myself hankering for more something bad.

And then the ending?!?! It's one of those "WTF?!?!" kind of endings that just chops off and leaves your jaw hanging. I really wish I would have gotten more resolution. There was a teensy bit with an accomplished objective, but we're left not knowing ultimate fates or what happens or.... Let's just say there's a ton of story threads just left dangling, just like Ms. Moran's audience. Not a great way to leave a novel...

This novel is a powerful take on a often overlooked part of Nazi Germany. I found myself moved more than once by Sophie's struggle and her courage. But a lack of story depth and the ending (oh that ending!!) leaves something to be desired. I wish I could give the story more stars, but a 3 is about right in my book. I think I'd recommend this book for the rare subject matter and the fantastic main character. But prepare yourself to be a bit disappointed as well. ( )

Fourteen year old Sophie Adler lives in Germany in 1938; she is part of the Hitler Youth. The Hitler Youth train young people on Hitler’s ideals and prepare them to defend their country. Sophie contributes to the Hitler Youth as a photographer. Sophie doesn’t fully agree with all of Hitler’s ideals, and is confused when her Jewish friend and neighbor is sent away. Sophie’s father, who taught her how to take photographs, also does not agree with everything in Nazi Germany; he tells her to take pictures of the whole truth when she is photographing for the Hitler Youth. When Sophie contracts polio, she worries that her disability might cause her to be considered worthless by the regime, luckily her value as a photographer is still useful. She is ordered to take photographs of fellow patients with polio, which are then turned into propaganda. After that, she decides to take her father’s advice and take photos of the whole truth.
Risking Exposure shows a different side of Nazi Germany from a teenaged girl’s point of view. The fact that disabled people were also targeted is often forgotten, Sophie’s story helps to bring this aspect of the time period to light and is historically accurate. Sophie’s character is wonderful; she feels like a real person and has many difficult decisions to make. Sophie finds courage in the hardest of times in order to carry out what is right, even though it would be easier just to do what everybody else in doing and not have to worry about getting in trouble. Through her actions, Sophie is able to show people that everyone has worth and is able to make an impact. The ending is quite abrupt, but very exciting and I believe a sequel is in the works. Overall, Sophie’s story is a good lesson in doing what is right along with a unique look into this time in history from a German girl’s prospective.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. ( )

We’re so used to having our freedom. Have you ever wondered what you’d do if a time machine took you back to 1938 Nazi Germany – and you were only fourteen years old? If you were a German, you’d automatically be considered one of Hitler’s Youth (Hitlerjugend), expected to contribute your support to the Fatherland (Germany). Early in this story, Scharfuhrer Werner Mueller (Master Sergeant for Hitler’s Youth), instructed Sophie Adler to photograph a tiny puppy whose hind leg was deformed. They used photography to show the weak from the strong. The term for the weak was ‘useless eater’. As nature would have it, even its mother pushed it away so the healthy pups could nurse. The deformed pup was a ‘useless eater’.

When Sophie contracted polio and had to be hospitalized, she began to worry that she too would be considered a ‘useless eater’. When she had regained some strength, she was able to resume photography – a way to show herself useful for the Fatherland. While she was recuperating, she discovered that her father, owner of a bakery and also a photographer, was being watched – they opened and read his letters before she could have them. Eventually, he was arrested and formally charged with treason. Sophie’s father had always taught her to follow her heart and tell the truth, the full story, through her photography. She prayed for courage to do just that. She began taking pictures that would show the true story and the ugliness of Nazi Germany.

Although Sophie Adler is fictional, she feels very real to me. She inspires me to seek justice and do the right thing regardless of the cost. The novel is geared toward ages 11 – 18, but as an adult, I found myself enjoying it very much. The pace of the story quickly carries the reader from chapter to chapter (several months of Sophie’s life) with no time for boredom to set in. The story is true to history and would be ideal for a classroom studying this time period. Discussion questions can be found on the author’s webpage. The ending didn’t give as much closure as I would have liked. I understand from the author that there will be a sequel to Risking Exposure. I rated the novel at 4.5 out of 5. ( )

Risking Exposure is an amazing book about a girl named Sophie who is faced with an impossible decision during the Nazi’s rise to power in Germany.



Within a few paragraphs I was enveloped in Sophie’s world. Moran’s smart and addictive writing made the story impossible to put down. The historical aspect of Nazi Germany, almost prehistoric seeming medical treatment, and Sophie as a young adult were woven together seamlessly.



Even more than just being a good read, I think that Risking Exposure would be a perfect book to introduce WWII and the Holocaust to a younger audience. So many of the books concentrate on only the Jewish aspect of WWII that it is easy to forget that this was a dangerous time for the general German populace as well. (Of course this is not to detract from the Jewish aspect). I feel that studying social history from all angles is extremely important and that Risking Exposure would be an ideal way to do this. The book isn’t graphic and while there is some violence it isn’t anything more than what is shown on the evening news. Perfect for a younger audience who you wouldn’t want to give the impression that the entirety of a population at a specific time was evil. Instead, Risking Exposure shows that there are good and bad people in every situation.



I couldn’t recommend or praise this book more. Risking Exposure is an excellent read, both for pleasure and education. ( )