It's 1936. Evie Harris has qualified as a member of the United States Olympic gymnastics team. She's only thirteen and can't believe she will be traveling to Germany to represent her country.
Evie grew up in Oklahoma, but recently the massive dust storms have driven her family out of the only home they've ever known. They packed up and moved to California. Her parents have not been able to find jobs so Evie, her sister, and her parents have been living in their Model T Ford. Gymnastics is the one positive thing in Evie's life.
As part of the U.S. team, Evie hopes to win a gold medal so she can return to California and maybe find a place in the movie industry in Hollywood. Another competitor she knows has been working in movies and suggested Evie could do the same.
Between practices, competition, and watching others compete, Evie receives a letter that connects her with two men who offer her a chance to "win" gold that could be even better than a gold medal. She isn't sure, but as her gymnastic dreams begin to fade, she decides their offer is the only way she can return to her family with the riches they need.
Author Alan Gratz has once again created an historical novel that will take middle grade readers on an amazing adventure. Set in Hitler's Nazi Germany, WAR GAMES depicts a threatening pre-war culture that eerily resembles some of the concerning issues we see in society today. The parallels may be lost on some younger readers, but older readers, even adults, may find it disturbing and a bit unnerving.
