Just So Stories

The Story of Hans and Sophie Scholl, and the White Rose Resistance

The Story of Hans and Sophie Scholl, and the White Rose Resistance

New South Books

Publisher: Groundwood Books

9781773069708

January 2026

AUD$29.99, NZD$34.99

While I have known of Hans and Sophie Scholl for many years, as would anyone who follows groups such as A Mighty Girl, I didn’t know so much of their backstory or the formation of the White Rose Resistance.

At a time when facism and persecution is rearing its ugly head again – especially in, of all places, the United States – this is a timely and hugely important book to share with young readers. I would suggest any from mid-primary to secondary as it puts the story of these courageous young siblings and their comrades into a very accessible poetic narrative, that will bring the reader to tears – as well as anger at the injustice and cruelty of those who put their jackboot into fellow humans.

I did not know that Sophie, along with her siblings, started out as an enthusiastic member of the BDM, or if I did I had forgotten. Despite the disapproval of their parents who were anti-Nazi from the start, the siblings like many of their peers embraced the new youth groups and both Hans and Sophie quickly rose to positions of leadership.

However, the gloss went off their involvement as they began to understand the intentions behind Hitler’s political ambitions and instead they both turned their skills and talents to forging leadership in a group that became the White Rose Resistance. They distributed leaflets by hand and mail – thousands of them – exhorting people to resist what was being put in place. Does this sound all too familiar, given the state of play in the US?

“Our current ‘state’ is the dictatorship of evil. We know that already, I hear you object, and we don’t need you to reproach us for it yet again. But, I ask you, if you know that, then why don’t you act? Why do you tolerate these rulers gradually robbing you, in public and in private, of one right after another, until one day nothing, absolutely nothing, remains but the machinery of the state, under the command of criminals and drunkards?”

Both Hans and Sophie, along with friends, were eventually caught and, after a mock trial, were executed. Many others including family were subsequently persecuted. This book is relatively simple in its narrative but so incredibly powerful and poignant with its refrain on the power of words. There is some informative and detailed historical information in the back matter.

I cannot praise it highly enough nor understate its importance for informing and inspiring all ages to resist those forces of evil that currently threaten democracy and safety of the world at large. Highly recommended for readers of all ages from around 10 years upwards. 5 🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️rating without a hesitation.