“Germany in 1938 comes alive and will be unforgettable to young readers in this powerful
debut novel, Crushing the Red Flowers.”
– James Patterson, Bestselling author

“Never before have I read a piece of fiction that felt so true. This deeply powerful and poignant book is an important addition to world literature.”
– Taran Matharu, New York Times bestselling author

“The ambi­gu­i­ties which Kaplan explores in Crush­ing the Red Flow­ers refuse res­o­lu­tion. It is a tes­ta­ment to her skill as an author that her work acknowl­edges this truth and embraces the
para­dox of her char­ac­ters’ dilemmas.”
– Jewish Book Council Review by Emily Schneider

“The author…writes in alternating chapters that focus on each boy’s struggle to make sense of ominous events during increasingly oppressive times. Family loyalty, government opposition, bullying, and facing total upheaval in one’s life are dealt with memorably in this multilayered tale. A German boy makes an extraordinary and life-affirming choice in this compelling Holocaust tale.”
– Kirkus Reviews

“…their voices are so strong, so real that I felt I was listening to an audio book, or even a movie.”
– Youth Services Book Review

“The character development and complexity for both the boys and the adult characters is impressive.”
– Publishers Weekly BookLife Prize in Fiction

“Crushing the Red Flowers is an emotional, white-knuckle story that follows two boys—one German, one Jewish—before, during and after the infamous night known as Kristallnacht (the night of broken glass). This book offers an unflinching look into the ugliness of misguided nationalism in youth and the destructive power it can unleash. Friedrich’s realization of the life changing importance of doing good during chaotic times is extremely powerful. Emil’s innocence and his own form of bravery in the face of literal death is gut wrenching. The race against time at the climax of the book will not let you sleep until you flip the last page.”
– Lucy Corona, Hicklebee’s, San Jose, CA