Ever feel like history books just... sanitize everything? They turn the most chaotic, terrifying moments of the human experience into dry bullet points. Well, Alan Gratz isn't about that life. If you've picked up War Games, his latest high-stakes thriller, you know exactly what I mean. Released in late 2025, this book has been tearing up the bestseller lists, and honestly, it’s not hard to see why.
He takes the 1936 Berlin Olympics—the "Nazi Olympics"—and turns it into a heist movie. It’s Ocean’s Eleven meets The Book Thief.
The Girl Who Went for the Gold (Literally)
The story follows Evie Harris. She’s thirteen, an American gymnast, and basically the underdog of all underdogs. Her family is struggling back in Oklahoma, still reeling from the Dust Bowl. For Evie, the Berlin Olympics isn't just about sports; it’s a ticket out of poverty. She’s there to win a gold medal and save her family. Simple, right?
Wrong.
Berlin in 1936 is a literal mirage. The Nazis spent months "cleaning up" the city—removing anti-Semitic signs, hiding the persecution of "undesirables," and putting on a shiny, athletic face for the world. Evie sees the cracks almost immediately. While the world is cheering for Jesse Owens, there's a darkness brewing in the alleyways of Berlin that most people are choosing to ignore.
Why War Games Alan Gratz Matters Right Now
Gratz has this weird, almost supernatural ability to make historical events feel like they're happening on your street today. In War Games Alan Gratz, he doesn’t just focus on the gymnastics. He introduces us to a ragtag group of athletes who aren't just there to compete.
- Karl: A German weightlifter who is gay and living in constant fear of the Gestapo.
- Ursula: A biracial French diver who sees exactly how the "master race" ideology treats people like her.
- Solomon: A mysterious, supposedly British journalist who recruits them for a mission that has nothing to do with scorecards.
Basically, they decide to rob the Reichsbank. They're going to steal Nazi gold.
The stakes are high. If they get caught, it’s not just a "disqualified" mark on their record. It's a one-way trip to a concentration camp. Gratz uses the physical skills of these athletes—Evie's flexibility, Karl's strength, Ursula's precision—to navigate the literal bowels of Berlin. It's a "Mission Impossible" style heist that actually makes you sweat while reading.
The Reality Behind the Fiction
A lot of readers ask: "Is any of this actually true?"
Kinda.
Alan Gratz is famous for his research. While Evie Harris is a fictional character, the atmosphere of the 1936 games is captured with brutal accuracy. He references real-life figures like Jesse Owens and the actual propaganda machine run by Joseph Goebbels. The "mirage" of Berlin was a real thing. The Nazi government actually ordered the temporary cessation of anti-Jewish activities to fool the international community.
The heist itself? That’s where Gratz lets his imagination run wild. But the reason for the heist—the realization that the Nazis were stockpiling wealth and resources for an impending war—is rooted in terrifying historical fact.
A Darker Tone for Middle Grade?
If you’ve read Refugee or Ground Zero, you know Gratz doesn’t sugarcoat. War Games Alan Gratz is no exception. It deals with some heavy themes:
- Identity and Persecution: Through Karl and Ursula, we see how the Nazis targeted anyone who didn't fit their narrow mold.
- Moral Ambiguity: Evie has to decide if stealing—even from "bad guys"—is the right thing to do if it means saving her sister’s life.
- The Bystander Effect: The book asks a pointed question: if you see something evil happening but you’re there to do a job (like win a medal), do you speak up or stay silent?
It’s a fast-paced page-turner. The chapters are short. They usually end on a cliffhanger. It’s designed for kids who "don't like to read," but adults are the ones staying up until 2:00 AM to finish it.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Book
Some critics initially dismissed it as "just another WWII book." They're wrong.
It’s actually a pre-war book. It’s about the moment before the world exploded. It’s about the choice to resist when resistance seems impossible. Most historical fiction focuses on the soldiers in the trenches. Gratz focuses on the thirteen-year-old girl in a leotard who decides that a gold medal isn't worth as much as her soul.
Honestly, the ending is a gut-punch. No spoilers, but don't expect a neat, "everyone lived happily ever after" bow. It’s realistic. It’s messy. It’s Alan Gratz.
How to Use War Games in a Classroom or Book Club
If you're a teacher or a parent trying to get a kid to engage with history, this is your gold mine. Don't just talk about the plot.
Compare the "Mirage" to Social Media
Talk about how Berlin was "curated" for the world. How is that different from how people or countries curate their images online today? It’s a great way to talk about media literacy without being boring.
Research the Real Athletes
Have kids look up Jesse Owens or Gretel Bergmann (the Jewish high jumper the Nazis kept off the team). Seeing the real people who lived through this makes Evie's struggle feel much more urgent.
The Ethics of the Heist
Is it okay to steal gold if that gold is being used to fund a war? This is a killer debate topic for middle schoolers.
War Games Alan Gratz isn't just a book about the Olympics. It’s a warning. It reminds us that "games" are often played by people in power, while the rest of us are just trying to survive. If you haven't picked it up yet, do it. Just maybe don't start it on a school night. You won't want to put it down.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Afterword: Always read Gratz’s "Author’s Note" at the end of the book. He breaks down exactly which parts of the heist were inspired by real events and which characters were based on historical figures.
- Map the Heist: If you're reading this with a group, try to map out Evie's route through 1936 Berlin using historical maps of the Olympic Stadium and the underground tunnel systems.
- Listen to the Audiobook: The production value on Gratz's audiobooks is usually top-tier, and hearing the tension of the heist narrated adds a whole new level of "heart-attack-inducing" stress.