"Lewis' detailed setting descriptions will provide readers with an accurate portrait of war-torn Germany, Hungary, and Denmark."
— Kirkus Reviews

"How Nazi propaganda affected the children of the German homeland becomes evident and concise, for we are sympathetic to an individual who literally grows into a Nazi, and cannot deconstruct the illusion that overwhelms his young mind. Lewis has managed to develop a truly brave piece of work."
— Resource Links

"After becoming aware of the horrors his country was a part of, Peter can only find solace in reading Russian classics, such as War and Peace and The Brothers Karamazov. This connection to great literature brings exceptional depth and insight into Peter's story about being on the wrong side of World War II, highlighting the universal nature of sorrow and regret through the eyes of a boy growing into a man." .
Highly Recommended."
— National Reading Campaign

"Gripping, gritty, and tremendously poignant. In The Pact, Amanda West Lewis powerfully reveals the flipside of war through a unique perspective. With great empathy, Lewis depicts the inner and outer battles fought by young Peter Gruber — loving son, loyal friend, and Hitler Youth recruit. Her masterful telling takes us from simply knowing history to truly feeling his story. A riveting historical read for both the head and the heart."
— Caroline Pignat, two time winner of the Governor Generals' Literary Award

"How does an entire country sleepwalk into intolerance, dictatorship, insanity, war? The Pact unfolds with the smell, the sound and feel of utter reality, in the form of the life of one simple boy being pushed, inescapably, into the uniform of the SS. Essential reading from a new, bright light in historical fiction, Amanda West Lewis.
— Alan Cumyn, author of The Secret Life of Owen Skye and Hot Pterodactyl Boyfriend

"A compelling novel about the generation of Germans who refused to talk about the Second World War when it was over, The Pact speaks to a new generation of readers who want to understand how wars happen, and fills that immeasurable silence with compassion and understanding. By showing how rhetoric and propaganda affect young lives on both sides of the conflict, Lewis provides an important lesson for our time."
— Wayne Grady

"The publisher has recommended the novel for grades 5-9, but this novel would also be a valuable resource in all grades from middle school through high school. With themes including social justice, genocide, the Holocaust, and the effects of propaganda and dictatorship, The Pact would be an asset in social studies courses of all types (i.e. history, global studies). It also would be an excellent read for people who enjoy historical fiction from this time period. The Pact is a very thought-provoking and satisfying read for young adult and adult readers alike.
Highly Recommended."
— CM Magazine

Amanda West Lewis
is a theatre director, calligrapher, book artist, instructor and author of six books for young readers. September 17, a historical novel for young people, was nominated for the Silver Birch Award, the Red Cedar Award, the Violet Downey IODE Award, and listed in the Canadian Children's Book Centre 100 Best Books for Spring 2014. She lives near Perth, Ontario. For more information on Amanda West Lewis, visit www.amandawestlewis.com.

On the International Literacy Association (ILA) Young Adults' Choices 2017 Reading List

One of 49th Shelf's favourite books of the year for young readers

Recommended by World of Words, an educational resource website from the University of Arizona

2017 Snow Willow Award nominee

On CCBC's Best Books for Kids & Teens