Author Profile
Alan Gratz
24 Books
Alan Gratz is a critically acclaimed author of historical fiction for young readers, renowned for tackling significant historical events through compelling, character-driven narratives. His books often explore themes of resilience, survival, and hope amidst conflict and hardship, bringing complex histories to life for a middle-grade audience. Among his most celebrated works are "Refugee," "Prisoner B-3087," "Ground Zero," and "Allies."
The League of Seven
The Dragon Lantern
Alan Gratz
Action
Adventure
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/5
Code of Honor
Alan Gratz
Action
Courage
-
/5
The Brooklyn Nine
Alan Gratz
Family
Fiction
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/5
Resist: A Story of D-Day
Alan Gratz
Action
Adventure
-
/5
Projekt 1065: A Novel of World War II
Alan Gratz
Action
Courage
-
/5
Heroes
Alan Gratz
Action
Empathy
-
/5
Allies
Alan Gratz
Action
Adventure
-
/5
Ground Zero
Alan Gratz
Action
Adventure
-
/5
Refugee
Alan Gratz
Courage
Social Justice
-
/5
Fantasy Baseball
Alan Gratz
Action
Fairy Tales
-
/5
War Games
Alan Gratz
Action
Adventure
-
/5
Horatio Wilkes Mysteries
Something Rotten
Alan Gratz
Action
Fiction
-
/5
Horatio Wilkes Mysteries
Something Wicked
Alan Gratz
Adventure
Fantasy
-
/5
Two Degrees
Alan Gratz
Action
Adventure
-
/5
Samurai Shortstop
Alan Gratz
Culture
Family
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/5
Ban This Book
Alan Gratz
Courage
Fiction
-
/5
Captain America
Captain America: The Ghost Army
Alan Gratz
Action
Graphic Novels
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/5
Hero of the Five Points
Alan Gratz
Action
Adventure
-
/5
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
The Assassination Game
Alan Gratz
Action
Mystery
-
/5
Grenade
Alan Gratz
Action
Courage
-
/5
Refugee: The Graphic Novel
Alan Gratz, Syd Fini
Action
Courage
-
/5
The League of Seven
The Monster War
Alan Gratz, Brett Helquist
Action
Adventure
-
/5
The League of Seven
The League of Seven
Alan Gratz, Brett Helquist
Action
Adventure
-
/5
Prisoner B-3087
Alan Gratz, Ruth Gruener, Jack Gruener, Steven Kaplan
Courage
Fiction
-
/5
The League of Seven
The Dragon Lantern
By:
Alan Gratz
The battle to protect humanity continues in this action-packed, steam-powered adventure. Archie Dent is thrilled to finally have a team, convinced that he and his friends, Hachi and Fergus, are the founding members of the legendary League of Seven. Their mission is to defeat the terrifying Mangleborn monsters before they can destroy the world. However, their newfound unity is quickly tested when the heroes are forced to split up and tackle two separate, highly dangerous missions. You will follow Archie and his mechanical servant as they chase down a mysterious shapeshifter who has stolen the powerful Dragon Lantern. Meanwhile, you will travel to New Orleans with Hachi and Fergus as they search for the only person who holds the answers to a dark family secret. As the friends recruit new allies and uncover ancient magic, they realize the truth might be more dangerous than the monsters themselves. Get ready to explore a wildly inventive world where courage and teamwork are the ultimate weapons.
9-12 Years
336 Pages
N/A
/5
Kamran Smith has the perfect life. You probably know someone just like him: the star of the football team, dating the most popular girl, and planning to join the army just like his big brother, Darius. But everything shatters when Darius is accused of being a terrorist. Suddenly, the whole world turns against Kamran and his family. Videos show Darius making threats, but Kamran knows his brother better than anyone. He knows Darius is innocent. To prove it, you will follow Kamran as he races against the clock to piece together a hidden trail of clues and secret codes. The journey will test his courage and force him to question everything he thought he knew about loyalty and truth. Can Kamran decode the messages in time to save his brother, or will he discover secrets that are too dangerous to face? This fast-paced mystery keeps you guessing at every turn, putting you right in the middle of a high-stakes rescue mission where trust is the ultimate puzzle.
9-12 Years
288 Pages
N/A
/5
Step up to the plate and travel through time with nine different kids who all share one major thing in common: a deep love for the game of baseball. You will meet the Schneider family across different generations, starting all the way back in 1845 with a young immigrant cheering for the New York Knickerbockers. As the years pass, you will follow other members of the family facing their own unique challenges on and off the field. You will encounter a batboy helping a talented player break boundaries in 1908, a fierce competitor playing in the All-American Girls Baseball League in 1945, and a Little League pitcher throwing a perfect game in 1981. Each story plays out like a single inning in a much larger game, connecting these young athletes through glory, heartache, triumph, and sacrifice. It is a journey through American history told from the bleachers, the dugouts, and the pitcher's mound. Discover how a simple sport can tie a family together across over a century of change.
9-12 Years
13-18 Years
328 Pages
N/A
/5
Samira Zidane is living a dangerous double life in Nazi-occupied France. While she may look like an ordinary girl, she and her mother are actually secret spies working for the underground resistance. Every day is a risk as they crack enemy codes and smuggle vital messages to sabotage the Nazi forces. But when her mother is suddenly captured by enemy soldiers, Samira's world is turned upside down. Now, she must embark on a desperate and daring rescue mission across the war-torn countryside. To make matters even more intense, today is D-Day, the historic moment when Allied soldiers are storming the beaches of France. With battles raging all around her and only a small dog named Cyrano by her side, Samira must rely on her wits and bravery to navigate the chaos. Can she outsmart the enemy and save her mother before time runs out? This gripping, fast-paced adventure plunges you right into the heart of World War II.
9-12 Years
N/A
/5
Infiltrate. Befriend. Sabotage. Thirteen-year-old Michael O'Shaunessey is playing the most dangerous game in the world. As the son of the Irish ambassador, Michael lives in the heart of Nazi Germany during World War II. To the outside world, he is just another member of the Hitler Youth, participating in their activities and blending in perfectly with the other boys. But Michael has a massive secret: he and his parents are actually spies working for the British Secret Service. You will be on the edge of your seat as Michael uses his position to gather crucial insider information while hiding his true loyalties. When he uncovers a terrifying secret Nazi mission known as Projekt 1065, the stakes become higher than ever. To stop the enemy's plans, Michael must prove his loyalty to the Hitler Youth, even if it means risking his family, his friendships, and his own life. Step into the shadows of history with this pulse-pounding thriller about bravery, sacrifice, and fighting for what is right.
9-12 Years
320 Pages
N/A
/5
By:
Alan Gratz
It is December 6, 1941, and best friends Frank and Stanley are living the dream. With their dads stationed at the Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii, the boys spend their sunny days writing and drawing their very own superhero comic books. World War II might be raging overseas, but America has stayed out of the fight, and the boys feel perfectly safe. But on the morning of December 7th, everything implodes. While Frank and Stanley are touring a massive battleship, Japanese planes suddenly zoom overhead, dropping bombs and shattering the peace. You will be right beside the boys as explosions roar and they frantically scramble to find safety amidst the chaos of torpedoes and bullets. As the dust settles, a new kind of danger emerges. Because Stanley's mother is Japanese-American, he is suddenly viewed as the enemy by the very neighbors he trusted. Frank, who is white, struggles to understand the cruel prejudice his best friend is now facing. In this high-stakes, action-packed adventure, you will discover what it truly means to be a hero when the world turns upside down.
9-12 Years
255 Pages
N/A
/5
By:
Alan Gratz
The date is June 6, 1944, and the biggest, most top-secret military operation in history is about to begin. The Allied nations are joining forces to storm the beaches of Normandy and fight back against the terrifying Nazi army. You will experience the heart-pounding action of D-Day through the eyes of young people right in the middle of the conflict. Follow Dee, a young American soldier racing toward the French coast on a boat, feeling the massive weight of the war on his shoulders. Behind enemy lines, a girl named Samira risks everything as a spy trying to sabotage the German forces. High above, a paratrooper named James leaps into the dark night, while a medic named Henry desperately searches the battlefield for lives to save. In a breathtaking race against time, these brave kids must face deadly risks, shocking betrayals, and their own deepest fears to complete their missions and change the course of history.
9-12 Years
325 Pages
N/A
/5
September 11, 2001, New York City. You are nine years old, visiting your dad at work on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center. Suddenly, an airplane slams into the tower, plunging you into a fiery nightmare of terror and confusion. Can you survive the unthinkable and find your way out? Fast forward to September 11, 2020, in Afghanistan. You are eleven-year-old Reshmina, growing up in the shadow of a seemingly endless war, yet dreaming of peace and progress. When a battle erupts in your village, you stumble upon a wounded American soldier. Helping him could put your entire family in mortal danger, but turning your back goes against everything you believe in. Two kids. One devastating day. A stunning connection between the past and present. Master storyteller Alan Gratz delivers a pulse-pounding and unforgettable take on history, hope, revenge, and fear. Step into a gripping historical adventure where the choices you make in a split second can change the world forever.
9-12 Years
320 Pages
N/A
/5
By:
Alan Gratz
Three different children. Three different decades. One shared mission: escape. Josef is a Jewish boy living in 1930s Nazi Germany. With the terrifying threat of concentration camps closing in, he and his family board a ship bound for the other side of the world, desperate for a safe haven. Decades later, Isabel is a Cuban girl growing up in 1994. Surrounded by riots and unrest, she and her family risk everything to set out on a fragile raft, hoping to find freedom in America. In 2015, Mahmoud is a Syrian boy whose homeland has been torn apart by violence and destruction. With no other choice, his family begins a grueling and dangerous trek toward Europe. All three young people embark on harrowing journeys in search of refuge. Along the way, they will face unimaginable dangers, from treacherous ocean crossings to devastating betrayals. But even in their darkest moments, they hold onto the hope of a better tomorrow. Although Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud are separated by continents and decades, surprising connections will ultimately tie their incredible stories together in a powerful tale of survival and courage.
9-12 Years
352 Pages
N/A
/5
Alex Metcalf is a perfectly normal twelve-year-old boy, so waking up in a magical realm called Ever After is a huge shock. Things get even weirder when he is recruited to play first base for the Oz Cyclones in the incredible Ever After Baseball Tournament. With Dorothy from Oz as his team captain, Alex must navigate a world where classic storybook characters are completely obsessed with baseball. The stakes are incredibly high, because the winning team gets a wish granted by the Wizard himself. For Alex, that wish is his only ticket back to the real world. But he is not the only one who wants to win. The notorious Big Bad Wolf is desperate for the prize and will stop at nothing to get his paws on it. You will cheer for Alex as he faces his fears, steps up to the plate, and plays the best game of his life. Get ready for a hilarious and magical sports adventure where fairy tales and fastballs collide.
9-12 Years
304 Pages
N/A
/5
By:
Alan Gratz
It is 1936, and twelve-year-old Evie has just arrived in Berlin to compete as a gymnast in the Olympic Games. It should be the proudest moment of her life. But as she explores the host city, Evie quickly realizes that something dark and terrifying is happening in Germany. She witnesses firsthand the cruelty and terror that Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party are inflicting on their own people. Unable to stand by and do nothing, Evie decides she must fight back. Teaming up with two fellow Olympic athletes, she hatches a daring and incredibly dangerous plan: they are going to rob a heavily guarded Nazi bank. If they succeed, they could strike a major blow against a rising evil. But if they are caught, the consequences will be deadly. Dive into this heart-pounding historical thriller where courage, friendship, and the ultimate test of bravery take center stage in the shadow of a looming war.
9-12 Years
360 Pages
N/A
/5
Horatio Wilkes Mysteries
Something Rotten
By:
Alan Gratz
The town of Denmark, Tennessee, has a serious odor problem, and it is not just coming from the polluted river. When Horatio Wilkes arrives to visit his best friend, Hamilton Prince, he quickly realizes that something smells incredibly wrong. Hamilton's wealthy father has suddenly died, and everyone is eager to sweep the tragedy under the rug. But Horatio and Hamilton know the dark truth: Mr. Prince was poisoned, and the killer is still walking free. With nobody else willing to believe them or help solve the crime, the two friends must take the investigation into their own hands. As you follow their dangerous search for clues, you will discover that almost everyone in town has a motive, the means, and the opportunity to commit the crime. Trust is rare, and suspects are everywhere. Can Horatio and Hamilton outsmart the adults and catch the culprit before the killer strikes again? Dive into this clever and twisty mystery where unmasking the truth is a matter of life and death.
9-12 Years
224 Pages
N/A
/5
Horatio Wilkes Mysteries
Something Wicked
By:
Alan Gratz
Have you ever felt like something was just... not right? In Alan Gratz's Something Wicked, prepare to dive into a mysterious world where shadows might hide more than just darkness.
Join a brave young hero as they uncover a secret that could change everything. There's something strange happening, something that feels a little bit wicked, and it's up to you to figure out what it is! Get ready for twists, turns, and maybe a few chills as you journey through an exciting adventure. Can you solve the puzzle and face the unknown before it's too late?
This captivating story will keep you guessing from beginning to end, inviting you to explore a world where courage and curiosity are your best tools against the unexplained. If you love a good mystery with a touch of the extraordinary, Something Wicked is waiting for you.
9-12 Years
N/A
/5
Fire, ice, and flood. Three devastating climate disasters are about to test the survival skills of four kids across North America. In California, Akira is riding her horse through the woods when a massive wildfire sparks, trapping her in a terrifying maze of flames. In the snowy Canadian tundra, Owen and his best friend George are used to seeing polar bears, but when a hungry bear gets way too close, they must fight for their lives on the thinning ice. Meanwhile, in Miami, Natalie hunkers down as a monstrous hurricane barrels toward her home, eventually dragging her out into the dangerous floodwaters. Swept up in the global effects of climate change, these four kids are fighting their own individual battles against nature. But as they struggle to survive, they will discover they are connected in shocking ways that could alter their destinies—and the world—forever.
9-12 Years
336 Pages
N/A
/5
Step back in time to Tokyo in the year 1890, a fascinating era when ancient traditions are clashing with modern ideas. Young Toyo is trying to survive the fierce competition at his new boarding school, and his biggest goal is to make the team for a thrilling new sport called baseball. At the same time, he is struggling with the loss of his uncle, a dedicated samurai who sacrificed everything for his traditional beliefs. To help him understand their family's rich history, Toyo's father begins teaching him the disciplined ways of the samurai warrior. To Toyo's amazement, the ancient martial arts training helps him become an incredible baseball player. The only problem? His father completely despises the game, viewing it as a modern threat to their culture. You will follow Toyo as he searches for a way to honor his family's honorable past while embracing his own future on the baseball diamond. It is a powerful story about finding balance, respecting your roots, and playing the game of your life.
9-12 Years
288 Pages
N/A
/5
Amy Anne is usually the quietest kid in the fourth grade, but some things are simply worth speaking up for. When her absolute favorite book in the whole world is suddenly banned and pulled from her school library shelves, she decides she has had enough. With the help of her friends, Amy Anne figures out a clever and totally secret way to fight back. She starts her very own banned books library right out of her school locker. Soon, kids from all over the school are sneaking around to read the stories the adults are trying to hide. As you read, you will cheer for Amy Anne and her lieutenants as they launch a hilarious and brilliant campaign against censorship. They even start making up ridiculous reasons to ban every single book in the library just to prove their point. It is an inspiring, funny, and empowering story that proves you are never too young to stand up for what is right and make a real difference in your community.
9-12 Years
256 Pages
N/A
/5
Captain America
Captain America: The Ghost Army
By:
Alan Gratz
Get ready for a thrilling historical adventure starring one of the greatest heroes of all time. Eighteen-year-old Steve Rogers, better known as Captain America, is fighting on the battlefields of World War II alongside his young and fearless sidekick, Bucky Barnes. But they are about to encounter a terrifying threat unlike anything they have ever faced: an unstoppable Ghost Army. As soldiers from past wars mysteriously rise from the ground under the cover of night, Captain America and Bucky realize that ordinary weapons are completely useless against enemies that are already dead. How can you defeat an army of phantoms that vanish without a trace before sunrise? You will race alongside Cap and Bucky as they try to solve the mystery of these supernatural forces and uncover the dark plans of the mysterious Baron Mordo. Packed with incredible artwork and non-stop action, this graphic novel perfectly blends historical fiction with superhero excitement for an unforgettable reading experience.
9-12 Years
224 Pages
N/A
/5
Grab your gear and step back into the thrilling, steam-powered world of the League of Seven. Set in the bustling streets of 1853, this fast-paced short adventure invites you to follow the legendary Dalton Dent on a highly dangerous mission. Armed with his trusty aether pistol and his signature stovepipe hat, Dalton is on the hunt for a massive and terrifying creature known only as Mose. As you track this foul beast through the shadows of the city, you will discover incredible gadgets, face down unexpected dangers, and experience the signature action that makes this steampunk universe so exciting. It is a fantastic, bite-sized story that perfectly captures the magic and mystery of the main series. Whether you are already a fan of the League or just looking for a quick, pulse-pounding read, this rollicking journey will keep you on the edge of your seat from the very first page to the final showdown.
9-12 Years
32 Pages
N/A
/5
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
The Assassination Game
By:
Alan Gratz
Life at Starfleet Academy is usually focused on studying for exams and preparing for space exploration, but right now, everyone is obsessed with a campus-wide game. The rules are simple: track down your assigned target and eliminate them using a harmless cafeteria spork. James T. Kirk is playing just for the thrill of it, while Leonard McCoy is only participating to spend time with a girl he likes. But the fun instantly vanishes when a series of very real, very dangerous terrorist attacks rock the peaceful campus. Suddenly, it becomes terrifyingly clear that someone is using the innocent game as a cover for a deadly secret agenda. Is the culprit a visitor from an alien medical conference, or is a super-secret society operating within the Academy's own walls? You will follow Kirk and McCoy as they race to unmask the true threat before the attacks escalate. It is a suspenseful, high-stakes mystery that will keep you guessing right up until the final, shocking revelation.
13-18 Years
239 Pages
N/A
/5
By:
Alan Gratz
It is 1945, and the devastating battle of Okinawa is just beginning. Fourteen-year-old Hideki has been drafted into the Blood and Iron Student Corps, handed two grenades, and told he must fight the American soldiers arriving on his island. But Hideki does not want to fight; he simply wants to survive the chaos and find his missing family. On the other side of the conflict is Ray, a young American marine who is about to experience the terrifying reality of his very first battle. You will follow both of these brave young men as they navigate a war-torn landscape completely beyond their control. As their paths bring them closer and closer together, their two vastly different worlds are destined to collide in a single, heart-pounding moment. When they finally face each other, the choices they make will alter the course of their lives forever. This intense and emotional story gives you a gripping look at the true costs of war and the powerful human desire for peace.
9-12 Years
270 Pages
N/A
/5
Three different kids. Three different decades. One shared hope for a safe tomorrow. You will meet Josef, a Jewish boy escaping Germany in the 1930s on a ship bound for the other side of the world. Then, you will travel to 1994 and join Isabel, a Cuban girl setting out on a raft with her family to escape the unrest in her country. Finally, you will follow Mahmoud, a Syrian boy in 2015 embarking on a long and dangerous trek toward Europe to flee the destruction of his homeland. Though these three young people are separated by continents and decades, you will follow them on their harrowing journeys as they face unimaginable dangers. Brought to life through stunning and rich artwork, this graphic novel adaptation makes their stories feel incredibly real and immediate. As you read, you will discover shocking and powerful connections that tie Josef, Isabel, and Mahmoud together. It is a beautiful, visually striking tale of survival, family, and the enduring quest for a place to call home.
9-12 Years
176 Pages
N/A
/5
The League of Seven
The Monster War
The epic battle to save humanity reaches its explosive peak in this thrilling continuation of the League of Seven adventures. Archie Dent has just uncovered a shocking secret about his own origins, leaving him wondering if he truly belongs with the heroes. But there is no time for doubts. A terrifying new threat has emerged. The maniacal Philomena Moffett has seized control of the powerful Dragon Lantern and unleashed a massive army of monsters across the American continent. To stand a chance against her Shadow League, Archie and his loyal friends must race against the clock to track down the final two members of their legendary team. You will travel alongside them as they face down dangerous beasts, solve ancient mysteries, and pull off daring rescues. It is a high-stakes test of friendship, courage, and teamwork. Will the League finally unite their powers to stop the monster war, or is humanity out of time? Jump into the action and find out.
9-12 Years
292 Pages
N/A
/5
The League of Seven
The League of Seven
Welcome to an alternate version of America in the year 1875, where electricity is strictly forbidden and steam power rules the world. Twelve-year-old Archie Dent knows a terrifying secret: giant, ancient monsters called the Mangleborn are real, and they are waking up from their underground prisons. When society rediscovers electricity, the very power that gives the Mangleborn their strength, the monsters begin to rise. Worse yet, Archie's parents are brainwashed by one of these evil creatures, leaving him entirely on his own. Now, you will follow Archie as he sets out on a desperate mission to save his family and the world. To do it, he must track down and assemble a legendary team of seven young heroes. Packed with action, amazing gadgets, and unbelievable dangers, this thrilling adventure invites you to join the fight. Will Archie and his new friends learn to work together in time to stop the giant monsters, or will the Mangleborn reclaim the earth?
9-12 Years
353 Pages
N/A
/5
Surviving even one day in a nightmarish prison seems impossible, but young Yanek Gruener must find a way to survive ten. Growing up as a Jewish boy in Poland during the 1930s, Yanek sees his world turned upside down when his hometown is taken over. Torn away from everything he knows and loves, he is made a prisoner and marked with the number B-3087. You will follow Yanek as he is moved from one terrifying camp to another while World War II rages across Europe. Despite the overwhelming darkness and harsh conditions around him, Yanek refuses to give up. He finds surprising glimpses of hope and kindness in the most unlikely places. Based on an astonishing true story, this powerful book puts you right in Yanek's shoes as he fights to keep his spirit alive. It is a gripping tale of resilience, showing how a young person can hold onto their identity and their will to live even when facing the greatest challenges imaginable.
9-12 Years
272 Pages
N/A
/5
