First Read: Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow

Like other girls her age, Sophie became a member of the girls' arm of the Hitlerjugend, the BDM. She was initially excited about the opportunity, but when she realized the extent of the BDM's control, and their expectations of conformity, she lost interest. Over time, Sophie began to acquire ideas of her own, she began to argue with her teachers, and she fought against indoctrination into National Socialism. Sophie also took to reading banned books.... simply to learn why they were banned.

In high school, Sophie did just enough to graduate, focusing her goal on joining her brother at University. Once there, Sophie becomes aware that her brother is one of the leaders of a resistance movement on campus called the White Rose, and she was thrilled by the opportunity to join him. Sadly, she and Hans were caught distributing leaflets one day, and the members of the White Rose were rounded up and sentenced to death by the People's Court.

"Under the Nazis, normal life became impossible for young people and their families as they lost their basic freedoms. The Nazis censored every newspaper, radio broadcast, movie, sermon, and classroom lesson. They also censored conversation: Anyone who dared to criticize Hitler or the Nazi Party faced imprisonment or execution."