Dokey, C. (1999). Hindenburg 1937. New York, NY: Pocket Books.
ISBN-10: 0671036017
•Plot Summary
Anna Becker has, along with her brother (Kurt), been raised by their grandfather. She and her grandfather are virtually inseparable, and he has always taught her not just about literature, but also how to think for herself. After receiving a telegram, which he throws into the fire, Anna's grandfather suffers from an attack. She has been at his bedside, but he is dying, and gets her ticket for the trip they have been planning, out of his bedside table. He is asking her to promise him something, but dies with the Hindenburg ticket in hand, prompting Anna to understand he wishes her to take the trip that they had planned. The Hindenburg is the pride of Germany, currently on the verge of WWII, and very much swelling with nationalist pride due to Hilter's programs. Anna has no desire to be in any of the programs, but Kurt has entered the military, and their grandfather's death has placed him in charge of her future. Disinterested in her opinion, Kurt says that he has arranged for her to be a companion to the daughter of his friend, and that when she is ready she will be married to a German officer. Horrified, Anna tries to reason with her brother, but demures finally so that she can escape. Packing her items, she has a telegram delivered to her brother saying that his friend has become ill, and he must return to Berlin immediately. Anna is meant to follow, but instead goes to board the Hindenburg, alone. Aware that at sixteen she should not be seen without anyone else, she latches onto a handsome young man, pretending to be with him for the benefit of the inspectors. He plays along, but Anna is engaged in conversation with him when she hears a familiar voice. Turning, she is struck by the presence of Karl Mueller, a man who'd claimed to love her, then abandoned her. Her plan works smoothly, however, and she boards without anymore real trouble. Trouble finds her, however, when Karl reveals that the other man (Erik Peterson), with whom Anna has been talking a great deal, is believed to be a saboteur. For Germany, Karl insists that Anna spend her time with Erik, learning what she can-then reporting it back to him. Through a series of heated encounters with both men, Anna feels lost, and is helped by an older woman with whom she has become friends aboard the airship. Following her heart, Anna and Karl are drawn back together, and he explains he is not a spy for the Nazis as she believed, but for the airship maker, Zeppelin Company. Erik finds them together, but everything has been revealed too late, the ship already bound for disaster. Erik throws Anna from the ship as it begins to come apart, and she hits the ground a few feet below, the airship having been landing during the conversations. She survives, but Erik is killed, as are many others. Two days later, and as with her grandfather, Anna is holding vigil at Karl's bedside. He dies, and she realizes she will be returned to Germany, and what Kurt has arranged. Despite Karl's former threats to send her back unless she helped him spy on Erik, plans had been made with Karl's friend to rescue Anna, and only then is able to anticipate, with hope, a better future.
•Critical Evaluation
Although Anna occasionally comes across as somewhat flighty, her overall characterization is believable. At sixteen, her dilemma of feeling for two men is understandable, and the reconciliation with Karl appropriately warm, without being overblown. The explanations of the Hindenburg's workings, and the plot for Erik's sabotage are plausible.
•Reader’s Annotation
Suitable for older teens, as some of the romantic scenes might be dull to younger readers.
•Information about the author
Cameron Dokey was born in the Central Valley of California, daughter of a professor of philosophy, creative writing, and literature. She studied archaeology at Sonoma State University, but went into Shakespearean theatre, and met her husband while working as an actress in Seattle.
Dokey has written over thirty novels. Of these, several have been retellings of traditional fairytales, and three are novels based on the popular Buffy the Vampire Slayer television series. She still lives in Seattle with her husband, and the couple have four cats.
•Genre
Historical Fiction
•Curriculum Ties
History
•Booktalking Ideas
Hindenburg disaster
•Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 11-12/Ages 16-18
•Challenge Issues
N/A
•Why did you include this book in you’re the titles you selected?
I love historical fiction, and felt there wasn't enough in my reviews. After watching a recent television program about the Hindenburg, I was interested in knowing more about it, and it was not a setting I had ever seen in a novel before.
